1. What is ASTM B348?
When sourcing titanium for your projects, it's essential to understand what ASTM B348 covers. In simple terms, ASTM B348 is a set of standards that ensures the quality of titanium and its alloys used in products like bars, billets, and forgings. These materials are designed to meet the high demands of industries like aerospace, medical, and automotive.
Here are the key details of ASTM B348 that you need to know:
1.1. Standardizing Body: ASTM International
ASTM B348 is maintained by ASTM International, a globally recognized standards organization. Formerly known as the American Society for Testing and Materials, ASTM is a leader in developing and publishing voluntary consensus standards for materials, products, systems, and services. This makes ASTM B348 a trusted and reliable framework for anyone working with titanium.
1.2. Material Types: Pure Titanium and Titanium Alloys
ASTM B348 applies to two main categories of titanium materials:
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Pure Titanium: This is titanium in its simplest form, offering excellent corrosion resistance and high ductility. Pure titanium is ideal for applications that require strength and resilience, but where the alloying elements in titanium alloys aren’t as important.
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Titanium Alloys: Titanium alloys are created by adding small amounts of other metals (like aluminum, vanadium, or molybdenum) to pure titanium. These alloys have enhanced strength, heat resistance, and formability, making them perfect for high-performance applications like aerospace, military, and high-end automotive.
The standard defines how these materials should be manufactured, tested, and measured, ensuring they are consistently up to the right specifications.
1.3. Titanium Forms Covered in ASTM B348
ASTM B348 covers titanium metals in various forms, including:
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Round Bars: The most common form, available in diameters from 0.125" (3.175mm) to 10" (254mm). Ideal for machining operations, especially turning.
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Square and Rectangular Bars: Available in widths from 0.25" (6.35mm) to 12" (304.8mm), these forms provide flat surfaces that facilitate certain machining operations and simpler fixturing.
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Hexagonal Bars: Primarily used for bolt and fastener production, available in standard wrench sizes.
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Billets: Larger diameter rounds (typically 10"-20" or 254-508mm) used as starting stock for forging operations or large-diameter machined components.
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Forgings: Custom near-net-shape forms produced through closed-die or open-die forging, reducing material waste and machining time.
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Rings: Seamless rings manufactured through ring rolling processes, used in jet engines, bearings, and structural components.
These forms make it easier to source titanium materials suited for specific applications, whether you need ready-to-use titanium bars or materials for further machining.
2. Types of Titanium and Titanium Alloys Under ASTM B348
Under ASTM B348, titanium is classified into different grades, each with its unique composition and properties. These grades are designed to meet specific performance needs in industries ranging from aerospace to medical applications.
Here's an overview of the most commonly used grades of titanium and titanium alloys under ASTM B348.
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Grade
|
Key Properties
|
Tensile Strength (min)
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Yield Strength (min)
|
Elongation(%)
|
|
|
|
ksi
|
MPa
|
ksi
|
MPa
|
|
|
Grade 1: UNS R50250
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Unalloyed 99.5% pure titanium
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Highest ductility, excellent formability, superior corrosion resistance
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35
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240
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20
|
138
|
24
|
|
Grade 2: UNS R50400
|
Unalloyed 99% pure titanium
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Good balance of strength and formability, excellent corrosion resistance
|
50
|
345
|
40
|
275
|
20
|
|
Grade 3: UNS R50550
|
Unalloyed 99% pure titanium
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Higher strength than Grade 2 with moderate formability
|
65
|
450
|
55
|
380
|
18
|
|
Grade 4: UNS R50700
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Unalloyed 99% pure titanium
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Highest strength among pure titanium grades, good corrosion resistance
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80
|
550
|
70
|
483
|
15
|
|
Grade 5: UNS R56400
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Titanium alloy (6 % aluminum, 4 % vanadium)
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High strength-to-weight ratio, excellent mechanical properties, good corrosion resistance
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130
|
895
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120
|
828
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10
|
|
Grade 7: UNS R52400
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Unalloyed titanium plus 0.12 to 0.25 % palladium
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Enhanced corrosion resistance, excellent biocompatibility, and high strength
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50
|
345
|
40
|
275
|
20
|
|
Grade 9: UNS R56320
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Titanium alloy (3 % aluminum, 2.5 % vanadium)
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Good strength-to-weight ratio, excellent formability, and moderate corrosion resistance
|
90
|
620
|
70
|
483
|
15
|
|
Grade 12: UNS R53400
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Titanium alloy (0.3 % molybdenum, 0.8 % nickel)
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Excellent corrosion resistance, especially in acidic environments, good weldability
|
70
|
438
|
50
|
345
|
18
|
At AEM Metal, we provide a variety of titanium grades that meet ASTM B348 standards. Our expert team is here to help you select the perfect material for your specific needs and application. We'll guide you in choosing the right grade to ensure optimal performance, durability, and cost-efficiency.
3. Properties and Characteristics of ASTM B348 Titanium Materials
Titanium materials under ASTM B348 are known for several outstanding properties:
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Lightweight: With a density of 4.51 g/cm³, titanium is much lighter than steel, making it ideal for weight-sensitive applications like aerospace.
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High Heat Resistance: Titanium can withstand temperatures up to 1,668°C (3,034°F) without losing strength, perfect for high-heat environments.
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Corrosion Resistance: Titanium is highly resistant to corrosion, especially in saltwater, acid, and moisture, making it reliable for marine and chemical applications.
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Strength-to-Weight Ratio: Titanium offers an excellent combination of strength and low weight, making it ideal for high-performance industries like aerospace and automotive.
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Fatigue Resistance: Titanium has excellent fatigue strength, meaning it can handle repeated stress and vibrations without cracking—ideal for applications like aircraft parts.
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Biocompatibility: Titanium is non-toxic and well-accepted by the human body, making it the material of choice for medical implants and surgical tools.
4. Applications of ASTM B348 Materials
Titanium and its alloys, compliant with ASTM B348, are used across a variety of industries where high performance, durability, and reliability are essential. Let's take a closer look at where these materials are commonly used and how they make a difference in each industry.
4.1. Aerospace
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What It's Used For: Aircraft components, turbine engines, and structural parts.
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Why Titanium?: Titanium's lightweight nature and high strength-to-weight ratio make it the perfect material for aerospace applications. It's used in aircraft frames, landing gear, and turbine blades, where reducing weight while maintaining strength is crucial for efficiency and performance.
4.2. Medical
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What It's Used For: Implants, surgical instruments, and medical devices.
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Why Titanium?: Due to its biocompatibility and corrosion resistance, titanium is widely used in the medical field. It's found in hip replacements, dental implants, and bone screws. Its ability to integrate safely with the human body makes it essential in surgeries and long-term medical solutions.
4.3. Automotive
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What It's Used For: Exhaust systems, suspension parts, and performance vehicle components.
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Why Titanium?: High-performance cars and motorcycles benefit from titanium's strength-to-weight ratio. It's used in parts like exhaust systems and suspension components, where strength and weight reduction are vital for better performance, handling, and fuel efficiency.
4.4. Chemical Processing
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What It's Used For: Heat exchangers, reactors, and piping systems.
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Why Titanium?: Titanium's corrosion resistance makes it ideal for harsh environments in chemical processing. It's used in heat exchangers and reactors, where it resists corrosion from aggressive chemicals and high temperatures, ensuring longevity and reliability.
4.5. Marine
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What It's Used For: Marine propellers, seawater piping, and offshore drilling equipment.
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Why Titanium?: Titanium's resistance to saltwater corrosion is unmatched. This makes it a go-to material for the marine industry, where components such as propellers and seawater piping face constant exposure to corrosive environments.
4.6. Sports and Recreation
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What It's Used For: Golf clubs, bicycles, and high-performance sporting gear.
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Why Titanium?: The lightweight and durable properties of titanium make it ideal for sports equipment. For example, golf clubs and bicycles benefit from the material's strength without adding unnecessary weight, improving performance.
Across all these industries, titanium stands out because it combines strength, lightness, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility in one versatile material. Whether it’s improving fuel efficiency in aerospace or enhancing safety in medical implants, titanium helps industries meet their most demanding performance requirements.
At AEM Metal, we ensure our titanium materials meet ASTM B348 standards, delivering you the highest quality and most reliable materials for any application.
5. Quality Assurance: Testing and Certification of ASTM B348 Materials
To ensure that titanium materials meet ASTM B348 standards, a series of rigorous testing and quality assurance processes are required. These checks help verify that the materials are suitable for critical applications, ensuring safety and performance.
ASTM B348 specifies a number of tests to confirm the material's quality:
5.1. Chemical Composition Analysis
This test ensures the material has the correct elemental composition. Methods like spectrometry or wet chemistry are used to verify the following:
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Primary alloying elements (such as aluminum, vanadium, palladium)
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Interstitial elements (such as oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen, carbon), which must not exceed set limits
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Residual elements, with maximum allowable concentrations
5.2. Mechanical Property Testing
This ensures the material’s strength and durability:
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Tensile Testing: Measures the material's tensile strength, yield strength, elongation, and reduction of area.
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Hardness Testing: Typically done using Rockwell C or Brinell methods to correlate strength with hardness.
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Impact Testing: For some applications, Charpy V-notch testing checks the material’s toughness under stress.
5.3. Microstructural Analysis
This examines the material’s grain structure, phase distribution, and any inclusions that may affect its properties.
5.4. Dimensional Inspection
This checks the material’s size and shape, ensuring it meets exact specifications for straightness, flatness, and other key dimensions.
5.5. Non-Destructive Testing (NDT)
NDT methods, such as ultrasonic inspection, are used to detect any internal defects. Dye penetrant or magnetic particle inspections can identify surface flaws without damaging the material.
6. Partnering with AEM Metal: Your ASTM B348 Titanium Expert
When you choose AEM Metal for your ASTM B348 titanium needs, you're not just getting high-quality materials—you’re gaining a trusted partner who’s committed to your project’s success. Our team is here to offer expert advice, tailored solutions, and ongoing support every step of the way.
With AEM Metal, you can count on more than just materials. We provide the guidance and resources needed to ensure your project’s success from start to finish. Contact us today to learn how we can help you meet your goals with the right ASTM B348 titanium solutions.
