Supreme Corrosion Resistance • Excellent Formability • Superior Weldability
Grade 2 is the most commonly used commercially pure (CP) titanium, offering the best balance of strength, corrosion resistance, and fabricability among unalloyed titanium grades. With exceptional resistance to a wide range of corrosive environments and excellent formability, it's the workhorse material for chemical processing, marine, and industrial applications where corrosion resistance is paramount.
Grade 2 is unalloyed titanium (99.2% minimum purity) with controlled levels of interstitial elements (oxygen, iron, carbon, nitrogen). It represents the optimal balance point among commercially pure titanium grades, offering moderate strength combined with excellent ductility, superior corrosion resistance, and outstanding formability. The absence of alloying elements provides maximum corrosion resistance and weldability.
As an unalloyed grade, Grade 2 titanium offers maximum chemical compatibility and corrosion resistance. Without alloying elements that can create galvanic cells or preferential corrosion sites, it provides uniform, predictable performance in aggressive chemical environments. The material's alpha phase microstructure (single-phase HCP crystal structure) contributes to excellent formability and weldability that surpass alloyed grades like Ti-6Al-4V.
| Element | Maximum % | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Titanium (Ti) | Balance (99.2% min) | Base metal - commercially pure |
| Oxygen (O) | 0.25 max | Primary strengthening interstitial (controlled) |
| Iron (Fe) | 0.30 max | Impurity limit (Beta stabilizer) |
| Carbon (C) | 0.08 max | Impurity limit (strengthener) |
| Nitrogen (N) | 0.03 max | Impurity limit (strengthener) |
| Hydrogen (H) | 0.015 max | Must be minimized (causes embrittlement) |
| Residual Elements | 0.40 max (total) | Each element ≤0.10% |
Purity Note: Grade 2 is "commercially pure" rather than "pure" because it contains controlled levels of interstitial elements (O, C, N) that provide strength. These elements are intentionally controlled within tight ranges to balance strength and ductility. True pure titanium (99.99%) would be too soft for structural use.
| Property | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (Ultimate) | 345 MPa (min) | 50,000 psi (min) |
| Yield Strength (0.2% offset) | 275 MPa (min) | 40,000 psi (min) |
| Elongation at Break | 20% minimum (in 50mm) | |
| Reduction of Area | 30% minimum | |
| Modulus of Elasticity | 103 GPa | 15.0 × 10⁶ psi |
| Rockwell Hardness | 80 HRB (typical) | |
| Brinell Hardness | 200 HB (typical) | |
| Shear Strength | 220 MPa | 32,000 psi |
| Shear Modulus | 45 GPa | 6.5 × 10⁶ psi |
| Poisson's Ratio | 0.34 | |
Grade 2's moderate strength (345 MPa) combined with high ductility (20% elongation) makes it ideal for applications requiring complex forming operations. While Ti-6Al-4V offers 2.75× the strength, Grade 2's superior formability enables cold forming, deep drawing, and complex shapes impossible with alloyed titanium.
Heat exchangers, reaction vessels, process piping, valves, pumps, tanks, pressure vessels, chlorine production equipment, fertilizer plants, electroplating equipment, pickling equipment, and components exposed to aggressive acids, alkalies, and salt solutions.
Seawater cooling systems, heat exchanger tubing, condenser tubing, offshore platform components, desalination equipment, ballast tanks, ship propeller shafts, marine fasteners, underwater equipment housings, and saltwater service applications.
Condenser tubes in power plants, heat exchanger systems, geothermal power equipment, steam turbine blades, flue gas desulfurization systems, and corrosive service applications in power generation facilities.
Architectural cladding, roofing materials, exterior panels, monuments, sculptures, handrails, decorative applications, building facades, and applications where corrosion resistance and aesthetics are important.
Surgical instruments, medical equipment housings, prosthetic devices, dental instruments, sterilization equipment, and non-implantable medical components requiring biocompatibility and sterilization resistance.
Electrowinning cathodes, plating equipment, pulp and paper processing, hydrometallurgical equipment, vacuum systems, and general industrial components requiring corrosion resistance and formability.
Grade 2's lower strength (345 MPa vs 950 MPa for Ti-6Al-4V) and single-phase alpha microstructure make it significantly easier to machine than alloyed titanium grades. However, it still requires titanium-specific machining practices due to low thermal conductivity and chemical reactivity.
| Operation | Recommended Parameters |
|---|---|
| Turning (Roughing) | Speed: 80-120 SFM (24-37 m/min), Feed: 0.010-0.020 ipr |
| Turning (Finishing) | Speed: 120-180 SFM (37-55 m/min), Feed: 0.005-0.010 ipr |
| Milling | Speed: 120-200 SFM (37-61 m/min), Heavy feeds, climb milling |
| Drilling | Speed: 30-60 SFM (9-18 m/min), Peck drilling for deep holes |
| Threading | Moderate speeds, thread milling or form taps work well |
| Coolant | Flood coolant REQUIRED - water-soluble or chlorinated oils |
Machining Advantage: Grade 2's lower hardness and strength make it approximately 30-40% easier to machine than Ti-6Al-4V. Higher cutting speeds are possible, tool life is extended, and better surface finishes can be achieved with less effort.
Grade 2 titanium is the most formable titanium alloy, with excellent ductility that enables complex forming operations impossible with higher-strength grades. The single-phase alpha microstructure provides uniform deformation characteristics and superior deep drawing capability.
For severe forming operations, Grade 2 can be annealed to maximize ductility:
Grade 2 is the easiest titanium grade to weld, with excellent weld joint properties and minimal risk of weld defects. The absence of alloying elements eliminates concerns about segregation or second-phase precipitation in the weld zone.
While Grade 2 is easier to weld than alloyed titanium, argon shielding remains MANDATORY to prevent atmospheric contamination. Use front, backing, and trailing shields for critical applications. Weld color (silver = good, gray/white = contaminated) indicates quality.
Grade 2 titanium provides exceptional corrosion resistance that surpasses even the most corrosion-resistant stainless steels. The stable TiO₂ passive film, combined with the absence of alloying elements that can create galvanic cells, delivers maximum corrosion protection.
In many corrosive environments, Grade 2's corrosion resistance actually exceeds that of Ti-6Al-4V. The absence of aluminum and vanadium eliminates preferential corrosion sites and provides more uniform passive film formation. This makes Grade 2 the preferred choice for chemical processing and marine applications.
Grade 2's resistance to pitting, crevice corrosion, and stress corrosion cracking in chloride environments is unmatched by stainless steels. In chemical processing applications, Grade 2 equipment can last decades without corrosion-related failures, while stainless steel alternatives may fail in months.
Get a quote for AS9100D certified Grade 2 titanium machining with full material traceability and chemical processing certification.