Grades Rather than Trade Names
Titanium uses grade numbers instead of trade names. Grades 1 and 2 are commercially pure titanium with rising oxygen and strength, Grades 7 and 11 add a trace of palladium for corrosion resistance, and Grade 5 is the Ti-6Al-4V alloy. The grade number and UNS number (R50400 for Grade 2) are printed on most titanium tube and pipe.
Specification Reference
| Specification | ASME | Product form | Grades on this site |
|---|---|---|---|
| AMS 4911 | – | Plate, sheet and strip | Titanium Grade 5 |
| AMS 4928 | – | Bar and forgings | Titanium Grade 5 |
| AMS 4965 | – | Bar, solution treated and aged | Titanium Grade 5 |
| ASTM B265Titanium and titanium alloy flat products, all common grades. | ASME SB-265 | Strip, sheet and plate | Titanium Grade 1, Titanium Grade 2, Titanium Grade 7, Titanium Grade 11, Titanium Grade 5 |
| ASTM B338Seamless and welded titanium tube for condensers and heat exchangers. | ASME SB-338 | Condenser and heat-exchanger tube | Titanium Grade 1, Titanium Grade 2, Titanium Grade 7, Titanium Grade 11 |
| ASTM B348Titanium and titanium alloy bars and billets. | ASME SB-348 | Bar and billet | Titanium Grade 1, Titanium Grade 2, Titanium Grade 7, Titanium Grade 11, Titanium Grade 5 |
| ASTM B363Seamless and welded unalloyed and alloyed titanium fittings. | ASME SB-363 | Fittings | Titanium Grade 1, Titanium Grade 2, Titanium Grade 7, Titanium Grade 11 |
| ASTM B381Titanium and titanium alloy forgings. | ASME SB-381 | Forgings | Titanium Grade 1, Titanium Grade 2, Titanium Grade 7, Titanium Grade 11, Titanium Grade 5 |
| ASTM B861Titanium and titanium alloy seamless pipe. | ASME SB-861 | Seamless pipe | Titanium Grade 1, Titanium Grade 2, Titanium Grade 7, Titanium Grade 11, Titanium Grade 5 |
| ASTM B862Titanium and titanium alloy welded pipe. | ASME SB-862 | Welded pipe | Titanium Grade 1, Titanium Grade 2, Titanium Grade 7, Titanium Grade 11, Titanium Grade 5 |
Why the Specification Helps with Titanium Scrap
Commercially pure grades look and read almost identically. Grades 1 and 2 differ mainly in oxygen and iron, which a handheld XRF cannot measure reliably. A B338 condenser tube marked “GR 2” is strong evidence on its own. Palladium in Grades 7 and 11 does show on XRF. Grade 5 is easy to confirm from its aluminium and vanadium, though aluminium needs a light-element setup. See titanium scrap and titanium vs nickel alloy.
FAQ
What is ASTM B338?
The ASTM specification for seamless and welded titanium tube for condensers and heat exchangers. It is the most common source of titanium tube scrap from power and desalination plants.
Is Grade 5 titanium covered by ASTM B861?
Yes. B861 (seamless pipe) and B862 (welded pipe) include Grade 5, although most Grade 5 is used as bar, plate and forgings.
What is AMS 4928?
The SAE aerospace specification for Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) bars, wire, forgings and rings.