"Titanium" is known as the "space metal", but do you really understand its industrial classification? From aerospace to medical devices, how do different titanium alloys perform their respective functions? This article will help you unlock the "family code" of titanium! See how they "show their magic" in aerospace, medical, shipbuilding, chemical and other fields!
Gr1: A gentle and plastic "fresh graduate"
Features: Excellent plasticity, but average strength.
Uses: Medical devices (such as dental implants, orthopedic implants).
Why does medical care prefer Gr1?
Answer: Because it has excellent biocompatibility and will not cause allergic reactions like some metals (such as nickel). So, if your dentist recommends
Titanium Alloy crowns, Gr1 is likely to be your "new tooth".
Gr2:
Features: Balanced strength and plasticity, high cost performance.
Applications: Chemical equipment, desalination equipment.
Classic case: Heat exchangers in desalination plants, Gr2 can easily resist corrosion from seawater and is more durable than stainless steel.
Gr3:
Features: High strength, but reduced plasticity.
Applications: Pressure vessels, chemical pipelines.
Summary:
Gr1 is the first choice for medical treatment (best biocompatibility).
Chemical/shipping chooses Gr2 (corrosion resistance + high cost performance).
Gr3 is selected for high pressure environments (highest strength, but slightly poorer plasticity).
If pure titanium is the "basic version", then titanium alloy is the "advanced version". According to different element ratios, it can be divided into α type, β type, and α+β type.
1. α type titanium alloy (such as TA7 Ti-5Al-2.5Sn): high temperature resistance
"As the preferred material for spacecraft shells and missile fuel tanks, α type titanium alloy has excellent high temperature resistance of 500℃ and is easy to weld, but cold processing is difficult!'"
Why do spacecraft love to use TA7 (Ti-5Al-2.5Sn)?
Because when rockets and missiles fly at high speed, the shell will generate high temperature due to air friction, and TA7 (Ti-5Al-2.5Sn) can remain stable at high temperatures and will not easily deform or crack.
2. β-type titanium alloy, such as TB2 (Ti-5Mo-5V-8Cr-3Al)
Because of its ultra-high strength and excellent heat treatment strengthening performance, β-type titanium alloy has become an ideal choice for high-end applications. Although it is expensive, it is the "top" choice for aviation fasteners (such as aircraft rivets) and high-performance sports equipment (such as golf clubs and bicycle frames).
Why is TB2 (Ti-5Mo-5V-8Cr-3Al) so expensive?
Because it contains expensive alloy elements such as molybdenum, chromium, and vanadium, and it is difficult to process.
3. α+β titanium alloys such as TC4 (Gr5)
As the absolute main force of industrial titanium (accounting for 80%), α+β titanium alloys shine in high-end fields with their perfect balance of strength, plasticity and corrosion resistance: in the aviation industry, it is the skeleton of the Boeing 787 fuselage frame; in the medical field, it is the "top-stream" material for artificial hip joints; under the deep sea, it is the pressure-resistant armor of the "Jiaolong" manned submersible.
Why is TC4 (Gr5) so popular?
Because it has invincible comprehensive performance, it can withstand high loads, is corrosion-resistant, and can get along well with the human body.
4. New titanium alloy (Ti-Al-V-Zr): engine blades.
The new titanium alloy, with its excellent creep resistance and fatigue resistance, remains as stable as a rock in high temperature and high pressure environments. It is showing its prowess in the fields of aviation engine blades and supersonic aircraft.
