Titanium Machining
Heat- and chemical-resistant parts, and high-wear workholding components.
Grades we run
| Grade | When we use it |
|---|---|
| Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) | The most common — high strength for its weight |
| Grade 2 (commercially pure) | Better formability and corrosion resistance, lower strength |
Machinability
Titanium conducts heat poorly, so heat stays at the cutting edge instead of leaving with the chip. That calls for sharp tools, steady feeds, plenty of coolant and lower cutting speeds than steel — and it means titanium parts take longer to cut and wear tools faster. Its low stiffness also lets thin walls spring away from the tool.
We also machine titanium after heat treatment.
Tolerance & finish
±0.01 mm as standard, ±0.005 mm on request where the feature and material allow. Ra 1.6 as-machined, Ra 0.8 by fine turning or milling.
Surface treatments
Titanium is usually used uncoated. Part numbers and traceability marks can be laser-marked in-house. If your drawing calls for a surface treatment, send the specification and we'll confirm whether it can be coordinated.
Design tips
- Check whether Grade 2 meets the requirement before specifying Grade 5 — it machines more easily.
- Avoid thin walls and long, slender features; titanium deflects more than steel.
- Titanium stock is expensive — a design that starts from a smaller blank saves material as well as machining time.
- Specify tight tolerance only where function needs it; on titanium every extra pass costs more than on steel.