Titanium is a lightweight, high-strength element classified into different grades. Grade 1 and 2 are amongst the most impervious and common grades.
Titanium is a versatile lightweight metal that possesses superior strength and resistance. The markets in the USA have slowly started adopting titanium in different sectors. The strength coupled with the low thermal efficiency of these alloys makes them highly desired in the US markets. The good hardness and excellent mechanical properties within these ti alloys allow them to be utilized in construction and the automotive sector. The rapid urbanization in the US markets requires titanium material for housing and infrastructural applications. Different grades of titanium are ideal for different infrastructural and building projects. Titanium dioxide exhibits an esthetical appearance allowing them to be utilized in architectural coatings, paint allowing for better coverage and brightness in different applications.
As the lifestyle of the market evolves, the need for more turbine engine aircraft keeps ramping up within the United States of America. Titanium is utilized in building inlet cases, compressor disks, hubs, and blades for aircraft engines. Due to the lower weight of these compounds, 25% of the engine is made from titanium. Titanium is also used in the medical sector as it can coincide well with the human body. Apart from this, it is seen in fasteners, chemical processing systems, automotive sectors, and desalination plants. The rapidly growing US market has thereby shifted its attention towards titanium in its pursuit of growing fast in the global market.
Grade 1 and grade 2 titanium are unalloyed commercially pure titanium alloys having similar properties. Grade 2 titanium is the warhorse of the titanium grade and is the most abundantly available grade. These alloys in grade 2 are slightly cheaper compared to the softest titanium grade. Grade 2 alloys can be availed between $15 to $17 per kg, while grade 1 alloys are available in the price range of $16 to $18 per kg.
Titanium grade 2 are alloys designed with small amounts of oxygen and iron. The non-magnetic grade of components are designed with a hardness of 160-200hv. The grade 2 alloys are lightweight modules that are designed with weights starting at 0.163 lbs /in3. The weight is increased or decreased based on the dimensions of the component
Grade 1 and grade 2 of Ti alloys have identical properties. However, Titanium Gr 2 has slightly higher strength, making them a better choice for surgical applications. The higher yield strength and anti-corrosion resistance in grade 2 allow them to be utilized for surgical instruments, dental implants, and in rods or pins for prosthetics
CP titanium is unalloyed commercially pure titanium grade. This range is represented by grades 1, 2, 3, and 4 of titanium. These grades of titanium are ordered based on their corrosion and formability. The grade 1 in the cp range has the highest formability with the lowest strength. The higher the grades greater is their strength, while the formability reduces drastically. The major advantage of these components is that they integrate well with the human body.
Ti Gr 2 is an alloy of titanium exhibiting a lower density and is highly desirable in applications where the concern of weight is of the highest degree. Grade 2 has a density of 4510 kg/m3. The weight of this grade starts at 0.163 lbs /in3, which increases or decreases based on the lengths or diameter of the components.
Alloy 2 in the titanium grade is the most widely available alloy. The unalloyed Ti has a tensile strength of minimum 485Mpa while exhibiting a minimum yield strength of 345Mpa. It has an elastic modulus between 105-120 Gpa. The grade possesses an excellent melting point of up to 1660 degrees C, making it suitable for high-temperature applications.
The most readily available commercially pure titanium grade 2 is available in India at prices of Rs $18 per kilogram. In Japan, the rates are at $21 per kilogram, while inn China, the rates vary between $20 to $21. The rates keep changing from day to day depending on the availability and demand for the product.
During the first half of 2021, the prices of titanium and especially titanium grade 2 shot up due to shortage and rising demands. The resumption of aerospace and chemical sectors, has increased the demand for grade 2 titanium products substantially. With the growing application for titanium in the automotive, aerospace, and chemical industry, the market size of Ti Gr 2 material will reach close to the 10 million range by 2026.
The unalloyed ti grade 2 components have good resistance properties coupled with low thermal expansion escalating their demand in the market. The non-toxic components are utilized in several medical pieces of equipment, from fitting dental implants to hip balls and sockets. Apart from this, the heat resistance and fuel efficiency offered by these components will drive up their demand in the aircraft manufacturing industry in the coming years. All these factors will play a crucial role in increasing the prices of grade 2 titanium in the next 5 years