Ti6Al4V Powder

Overview of Ti6Al4V Powder

Ti6Al4V powder, also referred to as Grade 5 titanium alloy, is one of the most popular titanium alloy powders. It contains 6% aluminum and 4% vanadium as the key alloying elements along with the remainder titanium.

Spherical powder ti6al4v offers an exceptional combination of high strength, low weight, corrosion resistance, biocompatibility, and workability.

Key properties and advantages of Ti6Al4V powder:

Ti6Al4V Powder Properties and Characteristics

Properties	Details
Composition	Ti-6Al-4V alloy
Density	4.43 g/cc
Particle shape	Predominantly spherical
Size range	15-45 microns
Apparent density	Up to 60% of true density
Flowability	Good
Strength	High for a titanium alloy
Corrosion resistance	Excellent

Ti6Al4V is widely used across aerospace, medical, automotive, chemical, and consumer industries owing to its well-balanced property profile.

Ti6Al4V Powder Composition

Typical composition of Ti6Al4V powder:

Ti6Al4V Powder Composition

Element	Weight %
Titanium	Balance
Aluminum	5.5-6.75%
Vanadium	3.5-4.5%
Oxygen	<0.2%
Carbon	<0.1%
Nitrogen	<0.05%
Hydrogen	<0.015%
Iron	<0.3%

• Titanium forms the matrix providing strength and corrosion resistance
• Aluminum stabilizes alpha phase and increases strength
• Vanadium stabilizes beta phase and improves workability
• Other elements limited as impurities

The optimized Ti-Al-V ratios provide an exceptional combination of strength, ductility, fracture toughness, and fatigue strength.

Ti6Al4V Powder Physical Properties

Ti6Al4V Powder Physical Properties

Property	Values
Density	4.43 g/cc
Melting point	1604-1660°C
Thermal conductivity	6.7 W/mK
Electrical resistivity	170 μΩ-cm
Coefficient of thermal expansion	8.4 x 10^-6 /K
Maximum service temperature	400°C

• Low density compared to steels
• High melting point enables use at moderately elevated temperatures
• Low thermal conductivity requires design considerations
• High electrical resistivity suitable for corrosion resistant fasteners
• CTE lower than steels and nickel alloys

These properties make Ti6Al4V well suited for many lightweight structural applications across industries.

Ti6Al4V Powder Mechanical Properties

Ti6Al4V Powder Mechanical Properties

Property	Values
Tensile strength	950 – 1050 MPa
Yield strength	860 – 950 MPa
Elongation	10 – 18%
Hardness	330 – 380 HB
Modulus of elasticity	110 – 120 GPa
Fatigue strength	400 – 500 MPa

• Excellent combination of high strength and reasonable ductility
• Strength exceeds other titanium grades like commercially pure titanium
• Hardness higher than unalloyed titanium
• Outstanding fatigue life makes it suitable for cyclic loading applications

The properties make Ti6Al4V suitable for demanding applications requiring high specific strength and fatigue resistance.

Ti6Al4V Powder Applications

Ti6Al4V powder is used widely across industries:

Ti6Al4V Powder Applications

Industry	Uses
Aerospace	Structural airframe parts, engine components
Biomedical	Orthopedic and dental implants
Automotive	Connecting rods, valves, springs
Chemical	Tanks, vessels, heat exchangers
Consumer	Sporting goods, watch cases, cellphone bodies
3D Printing	Aerospace and medical components

Some specific product applications include:

• Bone plates, joint replacement implants
• Airplane and helicopter structural components
• Automotive engine valves and connecting rods
• Chemical equipment like pipes, pumps, valves
• Sporting goods including golf clubs and bicycle frames
• Additive manufacturing of lightweight structures

Ti6Al4V provides the best strength-to-weight ratio and biocompatibility for critical structural parts across these demanding sectors.

Ti6Al4V Powder Specifications

Key specifications and standards for Ti6Al4V powder:

Ti6Al4V Powder Standards

Standard	Description
ASTM F2924	Additive manufacturing Ti6Al4V alloy
ASTM F3001	Specs for gas atomized Ti alloy powder for AM
AMS 4954	Composition limits of Ti-6Al-4V powder for additive manufacturing
ASTM B348	Specs for Ti and Ti alloy powders
ASTM F1472	Wrought Ti6Al4V alloy for surgical implants

These define:

• Chemical composition ranges
• Required mechanical properties
• Powder production method – inert gas atomization
• Impurity limits like O, N, C, Fe
• Particle size distribution and morphology
• Testing methods to verify powder quality

Certified Ti6Al4V powder meeting these specifications ensures optimal properties and performance for different applications across industries.

Ti6Al4V Powder Particle Sizes

Ti6Al4V Powder Particle Size Distribution

Particle Size	Characteristics
15-45 microns	General purpose size range
45-100 microns	Optimized for cold spraying
5-25 microns	Finer sizes used in laser AM processes

• Finer powder provides higher resolution and surface finish
• Coarser powder suits high deposition rate methods like cold spraying
• Size range tailored based on production method used
• Spherical morphology maintained across size ranges

Controlling particle size distribution and morphology is critical for high powder packing density, flowability, and final part properties.

Ti6Al4V Powder Apparent Density

Ti6Al4V Powder Apparent Density

Apparent Density	Details
Up to 60% of true density	For spherical powder morphology
2.6 – 3.0 g/cc	Improves with greater packing density

• Higher apparent density improves powder flowability and die filling efficiency
• Values up to 65% are possible with optimized spherical powder
• High apparent density minimizes press cycle time

Maximizing apparent density allows efficient automated powder pressing and sintering to full density.

Ti6Al4V Powder Production Method

Ti6Al4V Powder Production

Method	Details
Gas atomization	High pressure inert gas breaks up molten alloy stream into fine droplets
Vacuum arc melting	High purity input materials refined and melted in vacuum
Multiple remelts	Improves chemical homogeneity
Sieving	Classifies powder into different particle size fractions

• Gas atomization with inert gas produces clean, spherical powder
• Vacuum processing minimizes gaseous impurities
• Multiple remelts improve uniformity of composition
• Post-processing allows particle size distribution control

Automated methods combined with stringent quality control result in reliable and consistent Ti6Al4V powder suitable for critical applications.

Ti6Al4V Powder Pricing

Ti6Al4V Powder Pricing

Factor	Impact on Price
Purity grade	Price increases for higher purity
Particle size	Ultrafine powder more expensive
Order quantity	Price reduces for bulk orders
Production method	Use of multiple remelts increases cost
Packaging	Argon filled cylinders cost more
Lead time	Faster delivery times increase price

Indicative Pricing

• Ti6Al4V for medical applications: $150-250 per kg
• Ti6Al4V for industrial applications: $100-150 per kg

Significantly lower pricing applicable for bulk order quantities in the tons range.

Ti6Al4V Powder Suppliers

Ti6Al4V Powder Suppliers

Company	Location
AP&C	USA, Canada
Carpenter Additive	USA
Met3DP	China
TLS Technik	Germany
Sandvik Osprey	UK
Tekna	Canada

Key selection factors:

• Range of purity grades and particle sizes offered
• Powder quality and consistency from batch to batch
• Production capacity and lead times
• Compliance with medical and aerospace standards
• Pricing levels based on order volume
• Technical expertise and customer support

Ti6Al4V Powder Handling and Storage

Ti6Al4V Powder Handling

Recommendation	Reason
Avoid inhalation	Due to risk of lung tissue damage from fine particles
Use protective mask	Prevent accidental ingestion
Handle in ventilated areas	Reduce airborne particle suspension
Ensure no ignition sources	Powder can combust in oxygen atmosphere
Follow anti-static protocols	Prevent fire from static discharge while handling
Store sealed containers in cool, dry area	Prevent moisture pickup and reactivity

Although Ti6Al4V powder is relatively inert, recommended precautions should be taken during handling and storage to preserve purity.

Ti6Al4V Powder Inspection and Testing

Ti6Al4V Powder Testing

Test	Details
Chemical analysis	ICP spectroscopy used to verify composition
Particle size distribution	Laser diffraction used to determine size distribution
Apparent density	Measured using Hall flowmeter as per ASTM B212
Powder morphology	SEM imaging to check particle sphericity
Flow rate analysis	Using Hall flowmeter funnel
Tap density test	Density measured after mechanically tapping powder sample

Testing ensures the powder meets the required chemical composition, physical characteristics, morphology, density, and flow specifications per applicable standards.

Ti6Al4V Powder Pros and Cons

Advantages of Ti6Al4V Powder

• Excellent strength-to-weight ratio
• High fatigue strength and fracture toughness
• Outstanding corrosion resistance
• Good ductility and formability
• High biocompatibility for medical uses
• Cost-effective compared to other titanium alloys

Limitations of Ti6Al4V Powder

• Moderate high temperature oxidation resistance
• Lower strength than some titanium alloys
• High reactivity requires inert processing atmosphere
• Difficult to machine in fully sintered state
• Limitations in welding the alloy
• Toxicity concerns about vanadium element

Comparison With Ti64 and Ti Grade 2 Powders

Ti6Al4V vs. Ti64 and Grade 2 Powder

Parameter	Ti6Al4V	Ti64	Ti Grade 2
Aluminum	6%	6%	–
Vanadium	4%	4%	–
Strength	950-1050 MPa	950-1050 MPa	420-550 MPa
Ductility	10-18%	10-18%	15-30%
Cost	Moderate	Moderate	Low
Uses	Aerospace, medical	Aerospace, automotive	Industrial, consumer

• Ti6Al4V and Ti64 have virtually identical properties
• Grade 2 Ti provides better ductility but lower strength
• Ti6Al4V preferred for critical structural parts needing high strength

Ti6Al4V Powder FAQs

Q: What are the main applications of Ti6Al4V powder?

A: The main applications include aerospace structural components, biomedical implants like hip and knee joints, automotive parts like valves and connecting rods, chemical process equipment, and consumer products like sports equipment and watch cases.

Q: Why is Ti6Al4V the most popular titanium alloy?

A: Ti6Al4V provides the best all-round combination of high strength, low density, fracture toughness, corrosion resistance, bio-compatibility, weldability, and moderate cost.

Q: What precautions should be taken when working with Ti6Al4V powder?

A: Recommended precautions include using protective gear, handling in inert atmosphere, avoiding ignition sources, controlling static charges, using non-sparking tools, and storing sealed containers in a cool, dry place.

Q: How does vanadium affect the properties of Ti6Al4V alloy?

A: Vanadium acts as a beta stabilizer which improves workability. It also contributes to precipitation hardening which imparts strength and high temperature creep resistance to the alloy.