What Grade of Titanium Do I Need?

Quite frequently, we’re asked what the best grade of titanium would be for someone’s application. This is more often true for hobbyists or those new to the use of titanium. While we can’t recommend the best grade for your application, we can provide data sheets to help point you in the right direction. We suggest talking to the manufacturer’s engineering or metallurgy departments to be sure you are ordering the right material for your parts.

12" Round Bar - 6AL-4V
12″ Round Bar – Ti 6AL-4V

Some things to think about when choosing a grade:

  • What is the end use of my product? Different grades are more common for different industries and end uses. For example, the properties of 6AL-4V ELI may make it suitable for medical and dental applications. 6AL-4V, or Grade 5, is a very common grade for aerospace applications. For some applications, such as tooling or hobbies, machinists simply want an affordable option, such as Grade 2. But needs vary, and the most common or inexpensive grade is not necessarily the best one for your application.
  • Do I need the material to be weldable? Different grades have different levels of weldability, and some grades are not recommended to be welded at all.
  • What material specs or properties does my end product require? In the end, if requirements are imposed, you may not have any choice. You may be restricted to a certain grade. Different specifications, mechanical property requirements, and chemical makeup requirements will narrow down your choices.

Below are some common grades that we offer here at PTG. You can download our data sheets below for basic information regarding some of the questions above. For more extensive information, we recommend you get in touch with the manufacturer of the material. You can always contact us at 888.772.8984 or sales@performancetitanium.com for assistance in reaching potential manufacturers.

6AL-4V / Grade 5
6AL-4V Eli
6AL-6V-2SN
CP Grade 2
CP Grade 4

The use of this information is strictly voluntary and should be used as a guideline only. This data contains generalizations and is in no way a substitute for your own research. This information is not intended as a warranty or fitness of any application.

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AMS 6931D: What You Need to Know

In December 2017, SAE released an updated and much-needed version of AMS 6931. Before we dig into some major changes in AMS 6931D, let’s take a look at where AMS 6931C left off.

AMS 6931 is a specification for titanium bar, forgings, and forging stock. AMS 6931 is specific to the 6AL-4V alloy.

AMS 6931C covered products up to 6” in diameter or least distance between parallel sides. However, it is commonly requested for products larger than 6” to be certified to AMS 6931. Since larger sizes were not specifically covered in the specification, AMS 6931C left it up to the purchaser and producer to determine what mechanical requirements could be satisfied for any products outside of the range identified in the specification. Usually manufacturers interpreted this as either (1) product manufactured in a size outside of the range of AMS 6931C would be manufactured to meet the properties of the largest size that is covered, or (2) since there are no specific requirements for products outside of the range of the specification, test results would be for information only, and not cause for rejection.

AMS 6931D recognizes that purchasers and end users are looking for assurances of what mechanical properties can be achieved in larger section sizes, by extending the coverage to 10” in diameter or least distance between parallel sides.  Also, while AMS 6931C defined properties for products with a maximum cross-section of 48 square inches, AMS 6931D extends to 79 square inches.  This allows titanium AMS 6931D products in this extended range to be certified without a “for information only” caveat; we now have firm requirements. For products larger than 10” diameter or least distance between parallel sides, and beyond a 79 square inch cross-section, the spec still does mandate the purchaser and producer to agree on the properties. [Read more…]

AMS 4928W: What You Need to Know

In December 2017, SAE released an updated and much-needed version of AMS 4928. Before we dig into some major changes in AMS 4928W, let’s take a look at where AMS 4928V left off.

AMS 4928 is a specification for titanium bar, wire, forgings, flash-welded rings, and drawn shapes. AMS 4928 is specific to the 6AL-4V alloy.

AMS 4928V covered products up to 6” in diameter or least distance between parallel sides. However, it is commonly requested for products larger than 6” to be certified to AMS 4928. Since larger sizes were not specifically covered in the specification, AMS 4928V left it up to the purchaser and producer to determine what mechanical requirements could be satisfied for any products outside of the range identified in the specification. Usually manufacturers interpreted this as either (1) product manufactured in a size outside of the range of AMS 4928V would be manufactured to meet the properties of the largest size that is covered, or (2) since there are no specific requirements for products outside of the range of the specification, test results would be for information only, and not cause for rejection.

AMS 4928W recognizes that purchasers and end users are looking for assurances of what mechanical properties can be achieved in larger section sizes, by extending the coverage to 10” in diameter or least distance between parallel sides.  This allows titanium AMS 4928W products in this extended range to be certified without a “for information only” caveat; we now have firm requirements. For products larger than 10” diameter or least distance between parallel sides, the spec still does mandate the purchaser and producer to agree on the properties. [Read more…]

Material Donation to Pennsylvania College of Technology

We were approached by a student at Penn State who asked for titanium material donations to experiment with in their Engineering class. We were happy to be able to support and we wanted to share their letter of gratitude as well as some pictures from the students!

A student attempting to successfully produce a weld with an acceptable oxide color using only basic supplies (aluminum foil and gas lens). This helps take away some of the stigma associated with welding Ti, and shows that as long as you abide by a few simple rules you can produce excellent results without needing a purge chamber.
This photo was captured after the student had finished welding a few stringer beads with varying levels of success. They are also encouraged to test the limits of cleanliness, shielding flow rate, travel speed, etc. to see the impact on the weld surface so they are able to troubleshoot and diagnose issues later.

[Read more…]

Understanding Specification MIL-T-9047 – Which Grade Do You Really Need?

MIL-T-9047 is a classic titanium specification covering aircraft quality Titanium and Titanium Alloy Bars (Rolled or Forged) and Reforging Stock.  It was cancelled in 2005 but it is so ingrained in the titanium industry, it seems it will never truly go away. This specification tends to be confusing to users, because it covers so many different types of titanium and different conditions. Rather than calling out an alloy, an old drawing may call out just a Type or a Composition.  We hope the following table will aid you in procuring the right type of titanium for your requirements.

The above table appears in the back of MIL-T-9047G (available for free download at http://quicksearch.dla.mil/qsSearch.aspx), but we like our version better. If you agree, you are welcome to email us at sales@performancetitanium.com and we will gladly share a copy.

Specification MIL-T-9047 was cancelled in February 2005. The last active revision was “G”. In the cancellation notice, future acquisition was directed to SAE AMS-T-9047, which is also now cancelled. If your contract requires use of the superseding specification, refer to this discussion for help.

Since the MIL-T-9047 specification has been used for decades, often times a drawing will call out an old Composition such as MIL-T-9047 Comp 6. Using the table above, we can determine that Comp. 6 is related to the alloy 6Al-4V, and the drawing is pulling from an older revision of the specification, either Revision D or F. It is unusual to procure material whose certifications will still use these older revisions, types and compositions. The certs will most likely display this alloy as 6AL-4V, MIL-T-9047G (the most recent revision of the cancelled specification).  Check with your Sales Rep if you have questions or reach us at Sales@performancetitanium.com.

PERFORMANCE TITANIUM GROUP: A CUT ABOVE THE REST