If you are working with titanium, you will quickly encounter two of the most popular types: Titanium Grade 2 and Titanium Grade 5. While both are excellent materials, they have very different properties and are used for different jobs. Knowing the difference is key to the success and cost-effectiveness of your project.
The Quick Difference: Grade 2 Titanium is Commercially Pure (CP) and known for its excellent corrosion resistance and easy workability. Grade 5 Titanium (also called Ti-6Al-4V) is an alloy, famous for its much higher strength and light weight.
Grade 2 Titanium is one of the four grades of Commercially Pure (CP) titanium. It is often called the "workhorse" of the CP grades because it offers a great balance of strength, ductility, and corrosion resistance. It is essentially pure titanium, with very small amounts of other elements like oxygen and iron.
Type: Commercially Pure (CP)
Key Feature: Excellent formability and weldability.
Grade 5 Titanium is the most widely used titanium alloy in the world. Its special properties come from the addition of 6% Aluminum (Al) and 4% Vanadium (V). These elements significantly increase the material's strength, making it ideal for high-stress applications.
Type: Alpha-Beta Alloy (Ti-6Al-4V)
Key Feature: Exceptionally high strength-to-weight ratio.
The biggest difference between the two grades is their mechanical strength. Grade 5 is significantly stronger than Grade 2.
| Property | Titanium Grade 2 (CP) | Titanium Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) |
|---|---|---|
| Material Type | Commercially Pure | Alpha-Beta Alloy |
| Minimum Tensile Strength | 345 MPa (50,000 psi) | 895 MPa (130,000 psi) |
| Strength Level | Moderate | Very High (Roughly 2.5x Stronger) |
| Ductility / Formability | Excellent (Easy to bend and shape) | Poor (Difficult to cold form) |
| Weldability | Excellent | Good (Requires more care and specific filler metal) |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Excellent |
| Cost | Lower | Higher (Due to alloying and processing) |
Because of their different properties, Grade 2 Titanium and Grade 5 Titanium are used in distinct industries and for different parts.
Grade 2 is chosen when high corrosion resistance and easy fabrication (bending, shaping, welding) are more important than extreme strength. It is cost-effective for large-scale industrial use.
Chemical Processing: Heat exchangers, condensers, and piping systems due to its superior resistance to oxidizing media.
Marine Industry: Components exposed to saltwater.
Architecture: Building facades and decorative elements.
Desalination Plants: Tubing and vessels.
Grade 5 is the material of choice for critical, high-performance parts where a high strength-to-weight ratio is essential. It is the workhorse of the aerospace and medical fields.
Aerospace: Aircraft engine components, airframe parts, and landing gear.
Medical Implants: Orthopedic implants (hip and knee replacements) and surgical tools.
Automotive: High-performance engine parts and racing components.
Sports Equipment: Bicycle frames and golf club heads.
The choice between Grade 2 vs Grade 5 titanium depends entirely on your project's needs:
Choose Grade 2 if: You need a material that is easy to form, weld, and offers excellent corrosion resistance, and high strength is not the primary requirement. It is the more economical choice.
Choose Grade 5 if: You need the highest possible strength and lightest weight for a critical, structural component, and the higher cost is justified by the performance gains.
In short, Grade 2 is for industrial reliability and easy manufacturing, while Grade 5 is for cutting-edge performance and strength.
If you are a manufacturer or buyer looking for high-quality titanium materials, our team can help you select the exact grade and form (sheet, bar, wire, etc.) that meets your specifications.
Contact Us
Room 21003, 10th Floor, Unit 2, Building 1, Xianning International Plaza, No. 29 Xianning West Road, Beilin District, Xi'an City
Copyright © 2025 SG Trading Asia Co., Limited All Rights Reserved.
