Ti 6Al-4V (Grade 5)

6Al-4V (Grade 5) is the most widely used of all the alpha-beta titanium alloys.The alloy was originally developed for the aerospace market and widely used in aerospace structural components.

More recently the alloy has seen extensive use in the oil & gas market where a combination of high strength, corrosion resistance and low weight is essential.

The density of Ti 6Al-4V (Grade 5) is 50% that of nickel-based alloys and stainless steels. It is therefore used extensively in various applications due to its high strength-to-weight ratio.

It is typically used in the annealed condition, at service temperatures up to 400°C.

Ti 6Al-4V (Grade 5) can be welded with matching or ELI filler wire.

Stainless steel 303 is an austenitic steel. It was developed to give good machining properties by the addition of sulphur. The downside of adding sulphur, which is generally regarded as an impurity to be removed, is a reduction in corrosion resistance, in transverse ductility and notched impact toughness.

The presence of manganese will increase hardness and tensile strength but will further decrease ductility. If these modifications are important you should note that the chemical specifications detail a maximum % of manganese (2.0%) but no minimum. If you require the higher manganese content you will have to specify it.

It is widely used in such things as aircraft fittings, and electrical switch gear.

Stainless 303 is widely used in:

Nuts and bolts
Aircraft fittings
Gears
Screws
Shafts
Electrical switch gear

However, it does have limitations that make it unsuitable for specific applications. Wild it has generally satisfactory corrosion resistance in mildly corrosive environments it is not suited for marine environments where the sulphur inclusions provide sites for the initiation of pitting corrosion and result in rapid deterioration.

In any chloride environment above 60oC 303 is liable to corrosion cracking.

As already noted, welding stainless 303 should be avoided, but if necessary it can be welded with 310 rods. It should be annealed after to dissolve precipitated carbides. It also tends to work harden and speeds should be adjusted accordingly.

It should be annealed after to dissolve precipitated carbides. It also tends to work harden and speeds should be adjusted accordingly.

It also tends to work harden and speeds should be adjusted accordingly.

Machineability

There is no doubt that the primary benefit of Stainless 303 is its machinability. To get the most from this particular quality a few simple rules should be followed:

The low thermal conductivity of austenitic steel means coolants and lubricants must be used, often in large quantities.

Keep cutting edges sharp. Without sharp tools, you will experience significant work hardening.
The direction of the cut - conventional milling will tend to result in more work hardening as opposed to "climb" milling
Keeping swarf clear of the work.
Careful consideration should be given to chip size.
The low thermal conductivity of austenitic steel means coolants and lubricants must be used, often in large quantities.

Heat Resistance

303 stainless steel has good heat resistance up to 760oC in intermittent use. It maintains this resistance in continuous use up to 840oC.

See below for problems with carbide precipitation.

However, it does have limitations that make it unsuitable for specific applications. While it has generally satisfactory corrosion resistance in mildly corrosive environments it is not suited for marine environments where the sulphur inclusions provide sites for the initiation of pitting corrosion and result in rapid deterioration.

In any chloride environment above 60oC 303 is liable to corrosion cracking.

As already noted, welding stainless 303 should be avoided, but if necessary it can be welded with 310 rods. It should be annealed after to dissolve precipitated carbides.

It also tends to work harden and speeds should be adjusted accordingly.

	Min	Max
Carbon	0	0.08
Nitrogen	0	0.05
Oxygen	0	0.02
Hydrogen	0	0.125
Iron	0	0.4
Titanium	Balance
Aluminium	5.5	6.75
Vanadium	3.5	4.5

Tube
Pipe
Fittings
Flanges
Special Sections
Sheet
Plate
Flat Bar
Round Bar
Hollow Bar
I Beam
U Channel

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