Grade 2 vs Grade 5 Titanium
When choosing the right titanium grade for your project, it’s easy to get lost in the technical specs. Among the most frequently used options are Grade 2, Grade 5, and their lesser-known counterparts, Grade 1 and Grade 4.
This guide offers a clear, side-by-side comparison of these titanium grades based on key performance indicators: machinability, strength, hardness, weight, price, and total cost — helping you choose the best titanium for your application.
What Is Grade 2 Titanium?
Grade 2 titanium is a commercially pure titanium (CP Ti), offering an excellent balance of corrosion resistance, formability, and moderate strength. It's widely used in marine, medical, and chemical processing applications.
Composition: ~99.2% titanium
Tensile Strength: ~344 MPa
Yield Strength: ~275 MPa
Corrosion Resistance: Excellent
Use Cases: Heat exchangers, pressure vessels, piping systems, medical containers
What Is Grade 5 Titanium (Ti-6Al-4V)?
Grade 5 titanium, or Ti-6Al-4V, is an alpha-beta titanium alloy that includes 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium. It's known for its high strength, heat resistance, and excellent strength-to-weight ratio.
Tensile Strength: ~950 MPa
Yield Strength: ~880 MPa
Corrosion Resistance: Very good
Use Cases: Aerospace components, high-performance machinery, bike frames, implants
Comparison Grade 2 and Grade 5 Titanium
| Property | Grade 2 | Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machinability | Easier to machine | More tool wear, slower cuts | |
| Strength | Moderate (~344 MPa) | Very High (~950 MPa) | |
| Hardness | Low (Rockwell B70–80) | High (Rockwell C35–40) | |
| Weight | ~4.51 g/cm³ | ~4.43–4.51 g/cm³ | |
| Price (USD/kg) | $15–$25 | $30–$60 | |
| Overall Cost | Lower total cost | Higher material & machining cost |
Grade 5 shines in structural and high-performance applications where strength and fatigue resistance matter most.
Grade 1 vs Grade 5 Titanium
Grade 1 is the softest and most ductile of all titanium grades. While its corrosion resistance is excellent (even slightly better than Grade 2), its strength is the lowest.
| Property | Grade 1 | Grade 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ~240 MPa | ~950 MPa |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Very Good |
| Formability | Excellent | Low |
| Machinability | Excellent | Moderate to Poor |
| Typical Uses | Medical, marine tanks | Aerospace, motorsport |
Choose Grade 1 for maximum corrosion resistance and easy fabrication.
Choose Grade 5 when mechanical performance is critical.
Grade 2 vs Grade 4 Titanium
Grade 4 is the strongest of the commercially pure (CP) titanium grades. It maintains similar corrosion resistance to Grade 2, but with improved mechanical strength.
| Property | Grade 2 | Grade 4 |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | ~344 MPa | ~550 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~275 MPa | ~483 MPa |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Excellent |
| Machinability | Good | Moderate |
| Typical Uses | Heat exchangers, implants | Surgical tools, pressure vessels |
Choose Grade 2 for easier machining and forming.
Choose Grade 4 for high-stress applications needing more strength but not full alloyed-grade performance.
Difference of Titanium Grades
| Feature | Grade 1 | Grade 2 | Grade 4 | Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Low | Moderate | High | Very High |
| Hardness | Very Low | Low | Moderate | High |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Excellent | Excellent | Very Good |
| Machinability | Excellent | Good | Moderate | Poor |
| Formability | Excellent | Excellent | Moderate | Low |
| Price | Low | Moderate | Higher | High |
| Typical Use Cases | Marine, Chemical | Medical, Tubing | Surgical, Stress Parts | Aerospace, Motorsports |
How to Choose the Right Titanium Grade?
Choose Grade 1 for the best corrosion resistance and easiest forming, where strength isn't critical.
Choose Grade 2 for general use: a solid balance between formability, corrosion resistance, and cost.
Choose Grade 4 when you need strength but want to stick with commercially pure titanium.
Choose Grade 5 for top-tier strength, fatigue resistance, and performance — even at higher cost.
By understanding these differences, you can make faster, smarter choices that balance performance, processing, and cost.
Looking for reliable Grade 2 titanium bars, Grade 5 titanium plates, or titanium seamless tubes for your next project? At Shenzhen Chinalco Metal, we supply a full range of titanium materials with stable quality, competitive pricing, and fast delivery. Explore our titanium product range or request a quote to get started.