Specifications

Chemical composition and mechanical properties

Hydrogen limits differ slightly between product forms; residual element limits as given in each ASTM specification.

Grades 1, 2 and 7 also have maximum yield strength limits. Values are typical of ASTM B265 and B348; check the specification for the product form.

Background on each grade is on the titanium page.

Choosing the grade

Grade 1 is the softest and most formable grade, used for plate heat-exchanger plates, which are deep pressed, and for linings and cladding. Grade 2 is the general-purpose grade for vessels, tanks, tube sheets, anodes and fabricated equipment, with a good balance of strength and formability. Grade 7 and Grade 12 are used where crevice corrosion is a risk in hot brines and reducing acids, for example in chlor-alkali cells and hot brine equipment. Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) is the high-strength alloy, used for structural and machined parts in aerospace, motorsport, marine and offshore engineering where weight saving matters.

For pressure vessels and heat exchangers built to the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code, plate is ordered to ASME SB265 so that it carries the code designation, and the allowable stresses for each grade are taken from ASME Section II Part D. Grade 2 is the grade most widely used in code construction. Thin sheet in Grade 1 or 2 is also supplied as strip in coils for welded tube making and for pressing into heat-exchanger plates, and the rolling direction should be stated where it affects forming.

Where titanium plate is used

• Heat exchangers – pressed plates for plate heat exchangers using seawater or chemical media, and tube sheets for shell-and-tube units with titanium tubes.
• Electrochemical – anodes, cathode blanks and electrolytic cell components in chlor-alkali, metal-refining and electroplating plants.
• Chemical process – vessels, columns, tanks and linings for wet chlorine, hypochlorite, chlorine dioxide, nitric acid and some organic acids.
• Desalination and offshore – evaporator and brine-heater components, and structures exposed to seawater.
• Clad plate – carbon steel plate explosion clad with titanium for large vessels and tube sheets, where the titanium layer resists corrosion and the steel carries the load.

Cutting, forming and welding

Titanium plate is cut by water-jet, plasma or laser, or by sawing; oxy-fuel cutting is not used. Heat-affected edges from thermal cutting are ground back before welding. Commercially pure grades form well cold, with allowance for spring-back, which is greater than for steel; heavier forming may be done warm. Grade 5 is formed hot. Welding is by TIG or plasma with full inert-gas shielding of the weld and the hot metal on both sides, and the weld colour is used to check shielding. Fabrication areas must be clean and separate from carbon steel to avoid iron contamination.

Ordering titanium sheets and plates

Please give the grade and specification, thickness, width and length or cut sizes, surface, quantity and any testing or inspection requirement. Sheets are packed flat on pallets with interleaving, and plates on wooden skids; each piece is marked with grade, specification, heat number and size and is traceable to its mill test certificate.

Applications and related products

Titanium sheets and plates are used for heat exchangers, anodes and electrolytic cells, chemical vessels and linings, desalination and offshore equipment, clad plate and lightweight structural parts. Matching products include titanium pipes and tubes, titanium round bars, titanium flanges, titanium pipe fittings and titanium fasteners. Other materials are on our plates and sheets pages.