Titanium and Aluminum are two widely used metals in various industries because these metals offer unique combinations of strength, weight, and performance. lots of aluminum and titanium parts are manufactured by CNC machining. but, what are the differences between Titanium and Aluminum? and which is better for your product? In this article, KUSLA will explain the comparison between aluminum and titanium from all aspects so that you can make the right choice.
What is Titanium?
Titanium is a silvery-white metal with the Chemical symbol “Ti” and an atomic number 22. It is located in the 4th period and the IV group of the periodic table. it has excellent bio-friendliness and is excellent in aggressive environments where other metals may fail.
Advantages of Titanium
- Lightweight
- High strength-to-density ratio
- Excellent corrosion resistance
- High-temperature resistance
- Non-magnetic, non-toxic
- alternative to steel
disadvantage of Titanium
- High cost
- Hard to machine
- Poor thermal conductivity
- Hard to polish
- Easy to Scratch
Common Applications of Titanium
Titanium is widely used in construction, home products, Aerospace industry, and medical industries. Some of the common applications are as follows：
- Aerospace industry: aircraft engine parts, aircraft landing gear, missile parts, etc.
- Titanium tableware: spoon, fork, bowl, knife, cup, and so on.
- Sporting parts: Tennis rackets, golf heads, bicycle frames, titanium eyeglasses frames.
- Medical industry: artificial joints, artificial dental implants.
What is Aluminum?
Aluminum has the chemical symbol “Al” and atomic number is 13, it is a metallic element belonging to the IA group of the periodic table. it is a lightweight material and very easy to be machined, so it is one of the most widely used metal materials in the manufacturing industry.
Advantages of Aluminum
- High Strength-To-Weight Ratio
- Lightweight
- Easy to machine
- Corrosion Resistance
- High thermal conductivity and electrical conductivity
- Low cost
Disadvantages of Aluminum
- Difficult for the welding process
- Brittleness
- Poor thermal stability
Common Applications of Aluminum
Aluminum is also used in various industries in our lives, Some of the common applications are as follows：
- Constructions: Windows, door frames, wall panels.
- Automotive: Engine blocks, transmission cases, and body panels.
- Packaging: packaging containers and caps
- Consumer Electronics: aluminum housings for computers and laptops.
Titanium vs Aluminum: Mechanical Properties Comparison
Density and weight
Aluminum has a lower density(2712 kg/m³) compared to titanium(4500 kg/m³) which means aluminum is significantly lighter than titanium.
Hardness
Generally, Titanium alloy is harder than most aluminum alloys. However, some aluminum alloys such as 6082-T6, and 7075-T6 have higher hardness than titanium.
Strength
Titanium has better Strength than Aluminum. for example, the tensile strength of Titanium alloys varies from 230Mpa to 1400Mpa. while the aluminum alloy’s tensile strength varies from 200Mpa to 690Mpa.
Melting Point and temperature resistance
Titanium has a high melting point (1650 – 1670 ᵒC) while aluminum has a much lower melting point (660.37 ᵒC). Titanium can maintain stable performance at high temperatures while aluminum may deform at high temperatures.
Corrosion Resistance
Titanium is more corrosion-resistant than Aluminum. Titanium is a non-reactive metal which means it is corrosion-resistant in most environments. Aluminum is corrosion resistant too because of the layer of oxides on the surface of aluminum, but this will depend on the environment.
Thermal Conductivity
In terms of thermal conductivity, aluminum will be better than titanium. because aluminum has high conductivity(210 W/m-K) and is used a lot for applications requiring efficient heat transfer such as heat sinks. Titanium has lower thermal conductivity(17.0 W/m-K) and it is used for applications where heat resistance is needed.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical conductivity measures a material’s ability to conduct electricity. Titanium has minimal electrical conductivity around 3.1% conductivity of copper. Aluminum has better electrical conductivity around 64% conductivity of copper. so for applications where electrical conductivity is needed, Aluminum is better.
Aesthetic
Titanium is silver-white with a metallic luster and is not easy to oxidize and discolor. This makes titanium favored in jewelry, watches, and glasses that require high aesthetics.
Titanium vs Aluminum: machinability comparison
Aluminum has better machinability than aluminum. because aluminum is easy to machine by many machining processes such as CNC machining, extrusion, casting, and more. Titanium can also be machinable but only a few machining processes such as CNC machining. However, CNC aluminum is also much easier than CNC titanium.
Titanium vs Aluminum: How to choose for your Product?
Based on the comparison above, so before you Choose between titanium and aluminum for your project, you need to understand the application requirements and consider the factors below:
The use of your product
Define the key properties requirements for the use of your product such as Corrosion Resistance level, the environment temperature to be used, and so on. Then choose the one that fits your requirements based on the comparison above.
Cost
Aluminum is generally more cheap than titanium, it is a cost-effective choice for low-cost projects when you have a tight budget.
Part Geometry
Check the Geometry of your product, Aluminum is easy to machine and fabricate, it is a good choice for components with complex geometries.
Conclusion
In summary, titanium and aluminum each have unique properties and advantages, suitable for different applications. At KUSLA, we know well about these two materials and we provide CNC prototyping services both for aluminum and titanium materials for your different project needs. Contact us if you have any questions about how to choose between these two metal materials.
You may also interested in other comparisons:
6061 aluminum vs 7075 aluminum
FAQ
How to tell Titanium and Aluminum?
To tell Titanium and Aluminum, you can check the hardness, color, and weight of the parts. Titanium is harder than aluminum, So you can draw against each other to check which one is cut. And, titanium will have a more metallic luster color than aluminum, you can tell from the color. And, at the same size, titanium will be heavier than aluminum.
Which is better, aluminum or titanium?
Usually, It is hard to say which is better. because Titanium is generally harder and aluminum is more machinable. So, the choice will depend on the requirements of the applications.
