Titanium vs Steel, What’s the Difference | Titanium and Steel Comparison | CNCLATHING

2020.9.17

When we speaking of strong metals, the first option we think about usually is steel or titanium. They both have a broad range of alloys with varying alloying elements and amounts, so it’s challenging to determine which type to start with. For deeper understanding of the difference between titanium and steel, we present some points and the titanium and steel comparison chart in the following content.

Steel and Titanium

Steel is one of the most common alloys, it’s typically an alloy of iron adding a few percent of carbon to improve its strength and fracture resistance. Steel is dense, hard, magnetic, and high temperature-resistant, most steels are susceptible to corrosion but stainless steel address the drawback. Due to its low cost, high tensile strength and workable characteristics, steel is popular in construction, buildings, infrastructure, transportation, equipment, electrical appliances and automobiles. The varying content of carbon and other alloying elements in the metal lead to a host of different steel alloys, such as 4130 steel, 4140 steel, A36 steel, etc., which improves the quality and also gives them unique properties. 

 

Titanium is lightweight metal with lustrous silver-gray color, low density and high strength, it’s also resistant to corrosion in seawater, aqua regia and chlorine. Titanium can be alloyed with iron, aluminum and many other elements. The corrosion resistance and strength-to-density ratio make titanium and titanium alloy can be widely used in aerospace, marine, industrial, consumer, architectural and more industries, even though it’s not easy to machine, titanium CNC machining is still an effective and quick turn manufacturing method to deliver various precision titanium machined parts. Common titanium types can be worked with are titanium grade 2 and titanium grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V).

Titanium vs Steel - What’s the Difference Between Titanium and Steel

Compared with steel, titanium has exceptional strength and weight ratio, and great biological compatibility, which makes it be the preferred material of surgical implants. Other common applications of titanium are aerospace and jewelry, this also related to its lightweight characteristics, high strength and corrosion resistance to a wide range of acids, alkalis, and chemicals. In automotive fields, steel is in strong competition with titanium, steel is preferred when strength is needed in a hard material, in addition, because iron is way more abundant than titanium, with less cost for the raw materials, steel is generally cheaper than titanium. In conclusion, here are some points describe the difference between titanium and steel. 

1. Titanium can withstand higher and lower temperatures than steel

2. Titanium is significantly stronger than the most commonly used grades of steel. But, the strongest known alloy steels in their strongest tempers are stronger than the strongest titanium alloys in their hardest temper.

3. In unalloyed condition, with the same strength, titanium is much lighter

4. Titanium is significantly more expensive than steel. Even though some grades for very specific applications may be sold at a price near that of titanium, most steels are very cheap compared to titanium. 

5. Titanium is less toxic than steel, experiences lower amounts of thermal expansion than steel and has a higher melting point .

6. Titanium has higher tensile stength per mass but not by volume. 

7. Steel is harder than titanium. Titanium deforms more easily than steel.

8. Steel is usually preferable for making strong objects as its volume is more acceptable.

Titanium and Steel Comparison

Do you already have an understanding of the titanium and steel difference? In order to more intuitively learn about their differences in physical, mechanical and thermal properties, please check out the comparison chart of steel and titanium as below. 

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