Titanium Sheet, Bar & Tube Buying Guide: Gr1, Gr2 & Gr5 — How to Specify Titanium for Aerospace, Medical, and Corrosion Service
Titanium — light, strong, and nearly immune to seawater and chloride corrosion — is the default choice when stainless steel is not enough and weight matters. The grade decides everything: commercially pure grades for corrosion and forming, Ti-6Al-4V for strength. Order the wrong grade and you either pay for strength you do not need or get parts that crack in forming or fail in fatigue.
This guide compares Gr1 vs Gr2 vs Gr5, the forms buyers quote, standards, and a complete RFQ checklist.
Gr1 vs Gr2 vs Gr5
| Grade | Type | Strength (typ. UTS) | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gr1 | CP, lowest oxygen | ~240 MPa | Deep drawing, cladding, low-strength corrosion parts |
| Gr2 | CP, workhorse | ~345 MPa | Heat exchangers, chemical piping, marine fittings |
| Gr5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | Alpha-beta alloy | ~895 MPa | Aerospace structures, fasteners, medical implants |
| Gr7 / Gr12 | CP + Pd / Mo-Ni | ~345–485 MPa | Severe crevice-corrosion service |
Form Guide: Sheet vs Bar vs Tube
| Form | What to specify | Typical use |
|---|---|---|
| Sheet / plate | Thickness, finish, flatness tolerance | Pressure vessels, heat-exchanger linings, airframe skins |
| Bar / forging stock | Diameter, heat-treated or annealed | Fasteners, shafts, machined fittings |
| Tube / pipe | Seamless or welded, OD x wall, NDT level | Condensers, hydraulic lines, exhaust ducts |
Standards Buyers Quote
- ASTM B265: strip, sheet, and plate — the reference for flat products.
- ASTM B348 / B381: bars/billets and forgings — quote annealed condition unless otherwise agreed.
- ASTM B338 / B861 / B862: seamless and welded tube and pipe.
- AMS 4911 / AMS 4928: aerospace plate and bar in Ti-6Al-4V.
Welding and Fabrication Notes
- CP grades weld easily with GTAW under full argon shielding — back-purge every root pass.
- Gr5 needs controlled heat input and post-weld stress relief for fatigue-critical parts.
- Any straw/blue discoloration means oxygen pickup — grind out and re-weld, do not accept it on pressure parts.
Common Applications
- Aerospace airframes, fasteners, and engine ducts (mostly Gr5).
- Chemical heat exchangers, condensers, and pickling equipment (Gr2/Gr7).
- Medical implants and marine hardware.
- Desalination and offshore piping where stainless pits.
RFQ Checklist
- Grade: Gr1 / Gr2 / Gr5 / Gr7 / Gr12
- Form + standard: sheet B265 / bar B348 / tube B338/B861 / forging B381
- Dimensions, temper/condition, surface finish
- Quantity, mill certs (EN 10204 3.1), NDT for tube, destination / Incoterm
FAQ
Gr2 or Gr5? Gr2 for corrosion and forming; Gr5 only when you need the strength — it costs more and machines harder.
Seamless or welded tube? Seamless for high-pressure and fatigue service; welded for heat-exchanger and low-pressure piping.
Why is my titanium quote so high? Usually Gr5 specified where Gr2 would do, or aerospace AMS testing on a commercial part — match the spec to the service.
Why Source Titanium from Yihang Metal
Yihang Metal supplies titanium sheet, plate, bar, tube, and forgings in Gr1, Gr2, Gr5, Gr7, and Gr12 to ASTM B265/B348/B338/B861 with EN 10204 3.1 mill certificates, UT/ET testing on tube, and export packing for air and sea freight. Standard sizes typically ship in 25–35 days.
Ready to specify your titanium? Send us the grade, form, standard, dimensions, and quantity, and we will confirm mill availability and lead time with a fixed-price quote and test certificate. Email [email protected] or use the quote form on this page — our team replies within one business day.