As a metallurgist who's specified titanium for everything from deep-sea submersibles to hip implants, I've seen firsthand how titanium Grade 2 ASTM material choices make or break projects. Let's cut through the technical jargon and explore what matters when working with Grade 2 titanium.
What is the titanium Grade 2 ASTM standard?
ASTM's recipe for success:
Grade 2 titanium (UNS R50400) is the workhorse of commercial pure titanium, defined by:
✔ Chemical composition
Titanium (Ti): ≥99.2%
Iron (Fe): ≤0.30%
Oxygen (O): ≤0.25%
✔ Mechanical properties
Tensile strength: 345-483 MPa
Yield strength: 275-380 MPa
Elongation: 20-25%
Real-world impact: That 0.18-0.22% oxygen sweet spot gives titanium Grade 2 ASTM its perfect balance of strength and formability - something we've verified in 300+ corrosion tests.
What is ASTM B265?
The birth certificate for titanium sheets:
ASTM B265 is the governing standard for titanium plate/sheet/strip, covering:
✅ Dimensional tolerances (e.g., ±0.13mm for 5mm sheet)
✅ Surface finishes (from mill finish to polished)
✅ Testing requirements (tensile, flattening, ultrasonic)
Pro tip: Always request the actual mill cert - we once caught a supplier selling Grade 1 as Grade 2 because their "meets B265" claim was misleading.
Is Grade 2 titanium good quality?
The verdict: It's the Goldilocks option when you need:
✔ Corrosion resistance
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0.0005 mm/year in seawater (vs 0.05mm for 316 stainless steel)
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Perfect for desalination plants, we've supplied
✔ Cost-performance balance
Price comparison (per kg):
Grade 1: $35-40
Grade 2: $40-45
Grade 5: $80-100
✔ Proven track record
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50+ year service life in marine applications
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NASA-approved for spacecraft fluid systems
Watch out: Quality varies - insist on mill test reports showing actual O/Fe content, not just "meets ASTM".
Which one is better, titanium grade 2 or 5?
The showdown:
| Property | Grade 2 | Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | Winner |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | 345 MPa | 895 MPa | Grade 5 |
| Corrosion Resistance | ★★★★★ | ★★★★ | Grade 2 |
| Weldability | Easy | Needs expertise | Grade 2 |
| Cost | $40-45/kg | $80-100/kg | Grade 2 |
When to choose which:
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Grade 2: Chemical processing, marine hardware, medical devices
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Grade 5: Aircraft components, high-stress implants, racing parts
Case study: A Swiss watchmaker switched from Grade 5 to titanium Grade 2 ASTM for case backs - saved 30% cost with zero corrosion issues.
Tel: +86-29-89506568
WA/Mob: +86-17778976690
Email: linhui@lhtitanium.com
