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TC4 Titanium Alloy

TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V) is the most widely used alpha-beta dual-phase titanium alloy, featuring low density, high specific strength and outstanding corrosion resistance. It is a core lightweight structural material for aerospace, medical and precision equipment industries.

Typical Chemical Composition

  • Aluminum (Al): 5.5%–6.75% – Reinforces alpha phase, improves tensile strength and high-temperature stability
  • Vanadium (V): 3.5%–4.5% – Stabilizes beta phase, enhances ductility and forming performance
  • Iron (Fe): ≤0.25%
  • Oxygen (O): ≤0.20%
  • Carbon (C): ≤0.08%
  • Balance: Titanium (Ti)

Core Material Properties

  1. Ultra-Low Density & High Specific Strength Density only around 4.43 g/cm³, roughly 60% of stainless steel. Its strength-to-weight ratio far outperforms steel and aluminum alloys, enabling lightweight design without sacrificing load capacity.
  2. Excellent Universal Corrosion Resistance A dense inert titanium oxide film spontaneously forms on the surface, resisting seawater, salt mist, sweat, organic solvents, weak acids and alkalis. Corrosion resistance surpasses 316 stainless steel in chloride-rich environments.
  3. Outstanding Biocompatibility Non-toxic and non-irritating to human tissue, no metal ion precipitation. Fully compliant with medical implant standards for long-term bodily contact.
  4. Stable Extreme Temperature Performance Works reliably at cryogenic temperatures without brittleness; maintains stable mechanical properties up to 400°C for continuous service.
  5. Non-magnetic Characteristic Completely non-magnetic under all working conditions, suitable for magnetic resonance equipment and magnetic-sensitive electronic precision parts.
  6. Moderate Forming & Machining Performance Higher forming difficulty than stainless steel due to low thermal conductivity; MIM requires tailored powder sintering processes to avoid oxidation defects.

Machining & MIM Process Adaptability

  1. Metal Injection Molding (MIM) TC4 titanium powder can produce complex thin-walled lightweight components via MIM. Sintering must be carried out under high-purity inert atmosphere to prevent surface oxidation and oxygen embrittlement. Ideal for miniature lightweight structural parts with tight weight and tolerance requirements.
  2. Compatible Surface Treatments Supports sandblasting, mirror polishing, anodizing, PVD coating and passivation. Anodization forms colorful protective oxide layers for both decorative and anti-corrosion functions.
  3. Heat Treatment Options Can be stress-relieved, solution treated and aged to adjust strength and ductility; aging significantly improves tensile strength for high-load lightweight parts.

Advantages & Disadvantages

Advantages

  • Ultra-light weight with superior specific strength, obvious weight reduction effect
  • Top-tier corrosion resistance in salt, sweat and marine environments
  • Medical-grade biocompatibility for implants and surgical instruments
  • Non-magnetic, no interference to precision magnetic equipment
  • Excellent low-temperature toughness, no brittle fracture under cryogenic conditions

Disadvantages

  • Much higher raw material and processing cost than stainless steel
  • Poor thermal conductivity leads to higher machining difficulty
  • Strict inert atmosphere protection required during sintering, increasing MIM production cost
  • Surface easily absorbs oxygen at high temperature, causing brittleness if process is not controlled properly

Typical Applications

  1. Medical Devices: Bone implant accessories, minimally invasive surgical instruments, dental structural parts
  2. Aerospace & Aviation: Miniature lightweight fasteners, sensor brackets, thin-wall structural fittings
  3. High-end Smart Wearables: Luxury watch cases, lightweight bezels, skin-friendly buckles
  4. Marine & Fluid Equipment: Seawater corrosion-resistant lightweight connectors, valve miniature parts
  5. Precision Electronic Hardware: Non-magnetic structural brackets for MRI and magnetic sensors