Dengwei International Trade is mainly engaged in various high-end steel import and export businesses, and is a brand enterprise in the metal circulation industry.
Views: 0 Author: Rachel Wynn Publish Time: 2025-06-16 Origin: Site
Titanium and aluminum are two of the most widely used metals in engineering due to their excellent strength-to-weight ratios, corrosion resistance, and recyclability. Despite similarities, they differ significantly in mechanical properties, cost, and application suitability. A thorough, data-driven comparison enables engineers and procurement specialists to make informed decisions based on performance, durability, and cost-effectiveness.
| Property | Titanium (Grade 5) | Aluminum (6061-T6) |
|---|---|---|
| Density | ~4.51 g/cm³ | ~2.70 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength | ~900 MPa | ~310 MPa |
| Yield Strength | ~880 MPa | ~276 MPa |
| Thermal Conductivity | 21.9 W/m·K | 235 W/m·K |
| Melting Point | ~1668°C | ~660°C |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent | Good |
| Approximate Cost (per kg) | $35–50 | $2–4 |
| Recyclability | High | Very High |
Titanium, particularly Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V), offers exceptional tensile and yield strength, making it suitable for load-bearing and high-performance applications such as aerospace structures and orthopedic implants. Aluminum alloys, while lighter, have significantly lower mechanical resistance, necessitating thicker sections for equivalent structural roles.
Although aluminum is approximately 40% less dense than titanium, the latter's strength allows for reduced cross-sectional use. This results in competitive weight performance in engineering assemblies, despite higher per-volume mass.
Titanium forms a passive oxide layer that offers exceptional protection even in aggressive environments such as saltwater, acid exposure, and human tissue. Aluminum is corrosion-resistant in neutral environments but susceptible to galvanic corrosion and pitting in saline or acidic conditions.
Aluminum excels in thermal conductivity, making it ideal for heat dissipation applications. In contrast, titanium’s lower thermal conductivity restricts its use in heat-intensive systems.
Titanium is significantly more expensive due to raw material scarcity, energy-intensive extraction (Kroll process), and machining complexity. Aluminum, on the other hand, is abundant, affordable, and widely supported by high-speed CNC fabrication technologies.
Titanium is considerably stronger than aluminum. Aerospace-grade titanium (Grade 5) can achieve tensile strengths around 900 MPa, whereas aluminum alloys such as 6061-T6 typically reach 300–350 MPa.
No. Titanium is denser than aluminum. However, its superior strength may allow for thinner sections, which can partially offset its higher weight in structural applications.
Titanium offers excellent corrosion resistance, especially in marine, medical, and chemical environments. Aluminum performs well in general atmospheric conditions but is more vulnerable in acidic or chloride-rich environments.
Titanium’s high cost is due to complex extraction (usually via the Kroll process), energy-intensive processing, and lower global availability. Aluminum is far more abundant and easier to refine and fabricate.
Aluminum is typically preferred in thermal management applications due to its significantly higher thermal conductivity (~235 W/m·K vs ~22 W/m·K for titanium).
| Application | Preferred Material | Justification |
|---|---|---|
| Aerospace Structural Components | Titanium | High strength-to-weight ratio, fatigue resistance |
| Consumer Electronics Casings | Aluminum | Lightweight, thermally conductive, cost-effective |
| Medical Implants | Titanium | Biocompatibility and corrosion resistance |
| Automotive Engine Components | Aluminum | Thermal performance, light weight, low cost |
| Marine Fasteners & Valves | Titanium | Superior resistance to saltwater corrosion |
