Why do engineers prefer grade 5 titanium fasteners?

We are a family-owned business that aims to provide stellar metal products for a huge array of needs. This includes titanium grade 5 (6AL4V) round bar, plate and sheet in various sizes. You can order from us and expect a great experience every time. We are also on hand to give advice if you need any.

Titanium grade 5 (6AL4V) is an alloy that holds 4% vanadium and 6% aluminium. Adding these elements makes it much stronger than if you use it in a pure form. In addition, it provides a range of other useful characteristics. This includes high impact toughness, a superior strength-to-weight ratio, and really good corrosion resistance.

The alloy is often chosen by engineers thanks to the outstanding ductility, weldability, and formability. These make it great for a number of industrial uses.

What we want to discuss here is fasteners. Specifically, we want to see how titanium ones compare to high tensile steel and stainless steel.

Versus high tensile steel

When people consider fasteners, steel usually comes to mind. Differing steel grades have varying degrees of tensile strength. This is the total amount of stress or pressure that a fastener can endure prior to failing. To put it simply, high-stress applications need products with superior strength ratings.

High tensile steel is famous for its temperature resistance, strength, and machinability. Put all that together with the lower cost and durability, and it becomes popular for many industrial uses.

There are several forms of this steel that offer exceptional tensile strength. Most notable is probably 12.9 and 10.9. The former is stronger than titanium.

The big disadvantage of the steel is it lacks a protective finish or coating. As a result, it is more vulnerable to corrosion. It can cause big issues, particularly around wear and the lifecycle.

The most clear-cut reason to use Titanium grade 5 (6AL4V) round bar, plate and sheet for fasteners over high tensile steel is that it is 45% lighter. Of every known metal, titanium possesses the greatest strength-to weight ratio. So, for applications with a strict limit on weight, it would be a more appropriate choice.

The corrosion resistance is also a big advantage. It can mean fasteners last far longer and makes them suitable for use in more challenging settings.

Often high tensile steel is chosen because of the low cost. However, high end products like hypercars tend to favour titanium. They accept the extra costs for the performance advantage.

Versus stainless steel

While stainless steel is a relatively new metal, it has quickly become a very popular choice for fasteners. It is a multi-purpose material and provides some useful characteristics.

The most notable thing here is the corrosion resistance. The inclusion of chromium in the alloy enhances this, meaning it can resist chemicals, liquids, and even harsh marine environments.

On top of that, stainless steel has good machinability. As a result there are lots of options with these fasteners, including a very wide choice of head sizes.

The advantage of grade 5 titanium here is that it is much stronger than stainless steel. If superior tensile strength is necessary without compromising corrosion resistance, it is the better option.

Again there is the cost difference to look at. Stainless steel is cheaper than titanium. So, the latter is a more premium option.

Ordering titanium grade 5 (6AL4V) round bar, plate and sheet

At Brindley Metals we keep titanium in stock in many forms to ensure our clients can access the best one for them. There is also a wide choice of sizes, particularly when it comes to the thickness of the bars, plates and sheets. That should make it easy to get what you need.

One of the best aspects of dealing with us is we know the importance of a friendly service. We provide just that and have no problem recommending materials for all kinds of uses. This could be standard fasteners or items that have to deal with high stress and corrosive environments.

So, if you want to browse options for titanium grade 5 (6AL4V) round bar, plate and sheet, come to us. You can get in touch for data on the materials and more.

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