Titanium CNC Machining
Key takeaways
- Titanium offers the best strength-to-weight ratio of any common metal, plus excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility — ideal for aerospace and medical parts.
- Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) is the most-used alloy; Grade 23 (ELI) for medical implants; Grade 2 for corrosion resistance and formability.
- Titanium is difficult and slower to machine (low thermal conductivity, work-hardening), so it costs more — sharp tools, low speeds, and flood coolant are essential.
- Get an exact price with an instant quote from your CAD file.
Titanium CNC machining produces lightweight, ultra-strong, corrosion-resistant parts for the most demanding applications. Titanium is harder to machine than steel or aluminum — it has low thermal conductivity that concentrates heat at the cutting edge and tends to work-harden — so it requires rigid setups, sharp carbide tooling, low cutting speeds, and generous coolant. This guide covers titanium grades, properties, finishes, and applications.
Titanium grades we machine
| Grade | Key properties | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | Highest strength, heat-treatable, most widely used alloy | Aerospace, motorsport, high-stress parts |
| Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) | Extra-low interstitial, high purity, biocompatible | Medical and dental implants |
| Grade 2 (CP) | Commercially pure, excellent corrosion resistance, formable | Chemical, marine, corrosion-critical parts |
Properties of titanium
- Best strength-to-weight ratio — as strong as steel at ~45% the weight
- Excellent corrosion resistance — including seawater and many chemicals
- Biocompatible — safe for medical implants
- Heat resistant — retains strength at high temperatures
- Difficult to machine — slow speeds and tool wear raise cost
Surface finishes for titanium
As-machined, bead blasting, color anodizing (titanium anodizing produces vivid colors without dye), and passivation.
Tolerances
Standard ISO 2768-m (±0.1 mm), with critical features to ±0.01 mm via precision machining. Rigid fixturing and sharp tooling are essential for repeatable accuracy in titanium.
Applications
Aerospace structures and brackets, medical and dental implants, surgical instruments, motorsport, marine hardware, and defense.
Machining tips
- Use Grade 5 for strength, Grade 23 for implants, Grade 2 for corrosion resistance.
- Design to minimize material removal — titanium stock and machining time are costly.
- Generous radii and rigid features reduce tool deflection and chatter.
Frequently asked questions
What titanium grades do you machine?
Most commonly Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V), Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) for medical, and Grade 2 commercially pure titanium.
Why is titanium more expensive to machine?
Titanium's low thermal conductivity and work-hardening cause faster tool wear and require slow speeds, so machine time and tooling cost are higher.
Is titanium good for medical implants?
Yes. Grade 23 (ELI) is biocompatible and widely used for orthopedic and dental implants.
Can titanium be anodized?
Yes. Titanium anodizing produces vivid colors by light interference — no dyes — and is popular for medical and consumer parts.
What tolerances can you hold on titanium?
Standard ISO 2768-m (±0.1 mm), with critical features to ±0.01 mm using precision machining and rigid setups.
What is the difference between Grade 2 and Grade 5 titanium?
Grade 2 is pure titanium with great corrosion resistance and formability; Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) is an alloy that is much stronger and heat-treatable.
Related services
Explore the services that use this material:
- CNC machining services
- CNC aluminum machining
- Precision machining
- Surface finishing
- All CNC machining materials
Get your parts machined
Upload your CAD file on our Request a Quote page for a free DFM review and price — from a single prototype to low-volume production, with global shipping.