Every manufacturing industry requires a material with excellent strength, light in weight, and costs less.
Titanium and aluminum alloys are the best choice for applications due to their excellent strength, corrosion resistance, and ease of fabrication.
Both alloys have different chemical compositions and mechanical properties; therefore, these alloys are used in different applications.
Furthermore, there is also a cost difference between these two alloys.
Both aluminum and titanium are light in weight but are used for different reasons. Aluminum’s low specific gravity (2.7g/cm3) makes it significantly lighter than steel, which is roughly three times heavier than aluminum. Titanium is roughly two-thirds times heavier than the weight of aluminum.
It is important to know all the properties and composition of both unique alloys to select a more suitable material for your project.
This article will help you to choose the right material for your project. Learn more about the difference between titanium and aluminum alloy.
What is Titanium Alloy?
Titanium alloy is one of the most widely used materials in the industry. It is a very desirable material due to its lightweight, durability, and corrosion resistance.
Titanium is 45% lighter than steel and 60% heavier than aluminum. Unfortunately, Titanium can be more costly than other metals because it is harder to extract and process.
Titanium is commonly used in medical equipment, such as knee replacements, pacemakers, and cranial plates, as the root equipment for dental implants due to its strength and non-toxicity.
Its excellent resistance to corrosion makes it an important material for chemical industries and marine applications.
What is Aluminum Alloy?
Aluminum alloy is a cost-effective choice with an excellent weight-to-strength ratio and a low price. It is a dependable, strong metal with exceptional fracture toughness and corrosion resistance.
It has a dull, silvery look due to a thin layer of aluminum oxide that forms nearly instantly when exposed to air.
It is more commonly used than Titanium, and its price is low due to the ease of fabrication.
Aluminum alloy has strong acid resistance, although it is less trustworthy against alkalis. It has excellent thermal conductivity, so it is frequently used in cooking applications.
Because it is non-toxic, it is also utilized for cutlery and other food-related items. It also has strong electric conductivity (approximately 10 times that of Titanium); therefore, it is frequently used as a conductor.
Titanium Vs. Aluminum Alloy Comparison
Chemical Composition Comparison
The chemical composition of the most commonly used aluminum alloys is given in the following table:
Alloy Grades | Cu % | Mn % | Mg % | Fe % | Si % | Zn % | Cr % | Zr % |
1050 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.40 | 0.25 | 0.07 | – | – |
1350 | 0.05 | 0.01 | – | 0.40 | 0.1 | 0.05 | – | – |
2017 | 3.5~4.5 | 0.4~1.0 | 0.4~1.0 | 0.70 | 0.2~0.8 | 0.25 | – | +Ti=0.25 |
2024 | 3.8~4.9 | 0.3~0.9 | 1.2~1.8 | 0.5 | 0.5 | 0.25 | 0.10 | – |
2219 | 5.8~6.8 | 0.2~0.4 | 0.02 | 0.30 | 0.20 | 0.10 | – | 0.1~0.25 |
3103 | 0.10 | 0.9~1.5 | 0.3 | 0.7 | 0.50 | 0.20 | 0.10 | – |
5083 | 0.10 | 0.2~0.7 | 3.5~4.5 | 0.50 | 0.40 | 0.25 | – | – |
5251 | 0.15 | 0.1~0.5 | 1.7~2.4 | 0.5 | 0.4 | 0.15 | 0.15 | – |
6061 | 0.15~0.4 | 0.15 | 0.8~1.2 | 0.7 | 0.4~0.8 | 0.25 | 0.04~0.35 | – |
6063 | 0.10 | 0.10 | 0.45~0.9 | 0.35 | 0.2~0.6 | 0.10 | 0.10 | – |
6101 | 0.05 | – | 0.4~0.9 | 0.40 | 0.3~0.7 | – | – | – |
7010 | 1.5~2.0 | 0.10 | 2.1~2.6 | 0.15 | 0.12 | 5.7~6.7 | 0.05 | 0.11~0.17 |
7020 | 0.20 | 0.05~ 0.5 | 1.0~1.4 | 0.40 | 0.35 | 4.0~5.0 | 0.10~ 0.35 | 0.06~0.20 |
7075 | 1.2~2.0 | 0.30 | 2.1~2.9 | 0.50 | 0.40 | 5.1~6.1 | 0.18~ 0.28 | – |
7150 | 1.9~2.5 | 0.10 | 2.0~2.7 | 0.15 | 0.12 | 5.9~6.9 | 0.04 | 0.08~0.15 |
Chemical composition of some commonly used titanium alloy is elaborated in the given table:
Alloy Grades | N % | C % | H % | Fe % | O % | Al % | V % | Ti % |
JIS Class 60 | 0.05 | 0.08 | 0.015 | 0.40 | 0.20 | 5.50 ~ 6.75 | 3.50 ~ 4.5 | Bal |
ASTM Grade 5 | 0.05 | 0.08 | 0.015 | 0.40 | 0.20 | 5.5 ~ 6.75 | 3.5 ~ 4.5 | Bal |
DIN3.7164 | 0.05 | 0.08 | 0.0125 | 0.30 | 0.20 | 5.5 ~ 6.75 | 3.5 ~ 4.5 | Bal |
JIS Class 60E | 0.03 | 0.08 | 0.0125 | 0.25 | 0.13 | 5.50 ~ 6.50 | 3.50 ~ 4.5 | Bal |
ASTM F136 | 0.05 | 0.08 | 0.012 | 0.25 | 0.13 | 5.5 ~ 6.50 | 3.5 ~ 4.5 | Bal |
JJIS Class 61 | 0.03 | 0.08 | 0.015 | 0.25 | 0.15 | 2.50 ~ 3.50 | 2.00 ~3.00 | Bal |
ASTM Grade 9 | 0.03 | 0.08 | 0.015 | 0.25 | 0.12 | 2.5 ~ 3.5 | 2.0 ~ 3.0 | Bal |
JIS Class 80 | 0.05 | 0.10 | 0.015 | 1.00 | 0.25 | 3.50 ~ 4.50 | 20.0 ~ 23.0 | Bal |
Mechanical Properties Comparison
Aluminum alloys
| Alloy Grade | Tensile strength MPa | Yield strength MPa
| Elongation %
| Hardness (HB) |
1100 | 110-136 | 34-110 | 20-30 | 23-28 | |
2024 | 345-455 | 240-345 | 10-20 | 120-160 | |
3003 | 130-210 | 55-130 | 20-30 | 40-70 | |
5052 | 205-305 | 145-215 | 12-25 | 47-60 | |
6061 | 240-310 | 95-240 | 12-25 | 65-95 | |
7075 | 570-640 | 500-570 | 11-13 | 150-200 | |
Titanium alloys
| Grade 1 (CP Ti) | 240-410 | 170-310 | 24-30 | 90-170 |
Grade 2 (CP Ti) | 370-530 | 250-410 | 20-25 | 130-180 | |
Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | 895-950 | 825-880 | 10-15 | 330-380 | |
Grade 7 (Ti-0.2Pd) | 345-500 | 275-450 | 20-25 | 120-180 | |
Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) | 860-910 | 795-830 | 10-15 | 320-360 |
Cost Comparison
Aluminum will be less expensive than titanium, but titanium will be stronger overall; therefore, you must evaluate the cost vs. strength trade-off when deciding the material for your project.
The price of titanium is slightly higher due to its critical process.
Applications Comparison
Aluminum alloys
Aluminum is a very versatile material and is mostly used in many applications due to its outstanding properties. As an efficient conductor of electricity, aluminum can transport a significant quantity of heat. As a result, it is extremely beneficial in the fabrication of components such as heat sinks. Aluminum has numerous applications such as aerospace industry, transportation industry, and household items, industrial and electrical equipment.
Titanium alloys
Titanium, one of the most commonly found metals on the planet, has several applications in various industries. Titanium is widely used in various applications due to its low thermal expansion and high strength, as well as its superior corrosion resistance.
- The aerospace industry uses titanium alloys to produce landing gear, hydraulic systems, and other key structural components.
- Titanium alloys are used in the healthcare industry to manufacture dental implants, surgical utensils, surgical instruments, and other items.
- It is used for making consumer and architectural is for spectacle frames, bicycle components, and laptop components.
Which one between titanium Alloy and Aluminum Alloy is better?
Aluminum alloy is lighter in weight than titanium alloy.
Aluminum alloy is suitable where a light weight product is required.
On the other hand, the strength and hardness of titanium alloy are more than that of aluminum alloy, so titanium is the best choice where more strength is required.
Conclusion
Both alloys have excellent properties and play an important role in the industry.
You must have to know all the requirements of your project before selecting the proper alloy.
It totally depends upon your product’s requirement both the alloys are best for specific purposes but titanium is slightly costly than aluminum alloy.
We specialize in the production of premium-grade titanium and titanium alloys products. If you have new project today, please do not hesitate to contact our expert team.
