Titanium is one of the most commonly used metals in various industries today, and its unique excellent properties make it an ideal choice for many industries. Grade 23 titanium alloy, also known as Ti-6Al-4V ELI (Extra Low Interstitial Titanium Alloy), is strong, lightweight, corrosion-resistant, and very friendly to the human body (high biocompatibility). This material is both strong and durable, and can be used in various harsh environments such as strong acids, strong alkalis, and seawater without being easily damaged. This article will ask you to analyze grade 23 titanium in detail to help you better choose the right material for your project.
What is grade 23 titanium alloy
Grade 23 titanium alloy consists of 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium. It is an improved alloy based on the classic Ti-6Al-4V (grade 5 titanium) that further reduces the content of interstitial elements such as oxygen, iron, and nitrogen (such as oxygen content ≤ 0.13%). This high purity gives it better ductility, fracture toughness, and biocompatibility, making it particularly suitable for medical implants, aerospace components, and demanding industrial applications.
Key Properties of Grade 23 Titanium Alloy
1.Exceptional Strength-to-Weight Ratio
Grade 23 titanium offers high tensile strength (up to 1,000 MPa) while remaining lightweight (density ~4.5 g/cm³), making it perfect for applications where weight reduction is critical, such as aircraft structures and prosthetics.
2.Superior Corrosion Resistance
Its oxide layer provides excellent resistance to corrosion in seawater, acids, and chlorides, outperforming many stainless steels and other metals in harsh environments.
3.Biocompatibility & Medical-Grade Quality
The low interstitial content makes Grade 23 titanium non-toxic and hypoallergenic, ideal for dental implants, orthopedic devices, and surgical instruments. It is FDA-approved for medical use.
4.Fatigue & Fracture Resistance
The ELI (Extra Low Interstitial) grade has finer grain structure, improving fatigue life and fracture toughness, crucial for cyclic loading applications like aerospace components.
5.High-Temperature Performance
While not as heat-resistant as pure titanium, Grade 23 retains good strength up to 400°C (752°F), making it suitable for high-performance engines and exhaust systems.
Applications of Grade 23 Titanium Alloy
Due to its unique properties, Grade 23 titanium is used in:
Aerospace & Defense – Aircraft frames, jet engines, and missile components.
Medical Implants – Hip/knee replacements, spinal fixation devices, and dental implants.
Marine & Offshore – Subsea connectors, desalination equipment, and ship hulls.
Chemical Processing – Pumps, valves, and reaction vessels in corrosive environments.
Sports Equipment – High-end bicycle frames, golf clubs, and racing car parts.
Manufacturing Process of Grade 23 Titanium Alloy
The production of Grade 23 titanium alloy (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) follows a rigorous, multi-stage process to achieve its exceptional material properties. It begins with high-purity titanium sponge produced via the Kroll process, which is then precisely alloyed with 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium under vacuum conditions. The key manufacturing steps include:
1.Vacuum Arc Remelting (VAR) – The alloy undergoes multiple VAR cycles in a controlled vacuum environment to ensure chemical homogeneity and remove undesirable interstitial elements. For ELI grade, this process is particularly critical to achieve the required low oxygen (≤0.13%), nitrogen (≤0.03%), and carbon (≤0.08%) content.
2.Forging & Hot Working – The ingot is heated to 900-1000°C and progressively forged into billets or slabs. This hot working refines the grain structure while maintaining the alloy’s mechanical properties.
3.Thermal Treatment – Solution annealing at 700-800°C followed by controlled cooling enhances the alloy’s fracture toughness and fatigue resistance, which are crucial for medical and aerospace applications.
4.Cold Working & Finishing – The material is further processed through cold rolling, drawing, or machining to achieve final dimensions and surface finish. Specialized processes like pickling remove surface oxides while preserving the material’s corrosion resistance.
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Daxun Alloy is a titanium manufacturer with many years of industry experience. Whether it is industrial pure titanium or various grades of titanium alloys, we have sufficient stock. If you need it, please contact us immediately and let us give you the best solution.
