There are many different grades of Titanium Tubing used in industry. The different grades are separated by the chemical components that make up the material the tubing is composed of. The numbers after the name indicate the average percentage of Aluminum and Vanadium in the alloy.
Titanium Grade 6-4
This tubing has between 5.5 to 6.75% aluminum and from 3.5 to 4.5% vanadium along with a very small amount of carbon and iron added to the titanium. This is the grade of titanium most widely used in industry. It has a melting point of 3,200 F and density of 0.160 lb/in3. Applications include use on turbine engines where temperatures average up to 750 F. It is corrosion resistant and can be heat treated for additional strength.
Titanium Grade 3-2 1/2
This tubing has between 2.5 to 3.5% aluminum and from 2.0 to 3.0% vanadium along with a very small amount of carbon and iron added to the titanium. This grade of titanium is cheaper and less brittle than titanium 6-4. It has a melting point of 3,090 F and density of 0.163 lb/in3. This material is used for hydraulic lines and other places where excessive pressures and corrosive materials are present.
Titanium Grade 6-6-2
This tubing has between 5.0 to 6.0% aluminum, 2.0 to 3.0% vanadium and 1.5 to 2.5% tin along with a very small amount of carbon and iron added to the titanium. It has a melting point of 3,100 F and density of 0.164 lb/in3. This material can be heat treated to a higher degree than titanium 6-4 and is used when an increased in structural integrity is needed like in aircraft frames.
Titanium Grade CP-2
This grade of tubing only has minute amounts of carbon and iron added to the titanium. It is classified and an unalloyed titanium material. It has a melting point of 3,020 F and density of 0.163 lb/in3. Applications it is used for are airframes and marine equipment due to its high strength and corrosive resistant characteristics.
Titanium Grade CP-4
This titanium tubing has a specification of 0.2% more iron and 0.15% more oxygen than titanium grade CP-2. It has a melting point of 3,020 F and density of 0.163 lb/in3. This grade has the highest strength of all unalloyed titanium on the market place.
Titanium tubing is on average just as strong as aluminum but only half the weight of steel tubing. Because of the manufacturing process and the oxidation level of titanium, the process is longer than most materials and the cause for the increase in price.
