Titanium CNC Machining
Resolute Precision Manufacturing machines titanium precision components in Grade 2 (commercially pure) and Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) for aerospace, medical device, and high-performance industrial applications. Titanium's combination of exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance makes it the material of choice for demanding applications where aluminum is too weak and steel is too heavy. Our machinists are experienced with titanium's specific machining requirements. Request a QuoteTitanium Machining -- The Process Requirements
Titanium is significantly more challenging to machine than aluminum or steel, and machining it incorrectly produces poor results: accelerated tool wear, surface damage, and dimensional inaccuracy. Titanium has a low thermal conductivity — approximately six times lower than steel — which means heat generated in cutting concentrates at the tool tip rather than dispersing into the chip or workpiece. Without adequate cooling, tool tip temperature rises rapidly, accelerating tool wear and risking workpiece surface damage.
Resolute Precision addresses these challenges with flood coolant, sharp carbide tooling with geometries appropriate for titanium, and cutting parameters that maintain continuous cutting without tool dwell. The result is dimensionally accurate titanium components with the surface finish and material integrity that aerospace and medical specifications require.
Titanium Grade Selection
Two titanium grades serve the majority of precision machined applications:
- Grade 2 (commercially pure titanium, CP-Ti) — 99.3% minimum titanium; excellent corrosion resistance in all environments including chlorides and seawater; biocompatible for permanent implants; yield strength approximately 40 KSI; used for chemical processing, marine, and medical implant applications where strength requirements are moderate
- Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V and Ti-6Al-4V ELI) — the most widely used titanium alloy; 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium; yield strength 120-140 KSI; excellent strength-to-weight ratio; the standard for aerospace structural components and high-strength medical implants; ELI (Extra Low Interstitial) grade is specified for permanent implant applications with the tightest purity requirements
Specifications
| Grades | Grade 2 (commercially pure titanium) and Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V / Ti-6Al-4V ELI) |
| Turning | Swiss CNC (20mm–38mm) for small titanium components; bar-fed and chucked turning for larger parts |
| Milling | 3, 4, and 5-axis vertical milling for titanium aerospace structures and medical components |
| Tolerances | ±0.001″ standard; ±0.0005″ on precision features with controlled machining processes |
| Material Traceability | Certified heat numbers and material certifications provided as standard; AMS 4928 (Grade 5) and ASTM B265 (Grade 2) |
| Medical Compliance | Grade 5 ELI per ASTM F136 and Grade 2 per ASTM F67 for permanent implant applications |
| Volume | Prototype through production quantities |
| Certifications | ISO 9001:2015 |
Titanium Applications From RPM
Titanium CNC machined components from Resolute Precision serve aerospace, medical, and high-performance applications:
- Aerospace structural fasteners — Ti-6Al-4V bolts, screws, and specialty fasteners to AMS specifications
- Medical implant components — Grade 5 ELI bone screws, implant housings, and instrument components per ASTM F136
- Aerospace structural components — fittings, brackets, and housings where aluminum is too weak and steel too heavy
- Chemical process components — Grade 2 titanium valves and fittings for aggressive chemical environments
- Marine hardware — Grade 2 titanium through-hull fittings for the highest corrosion resistance
- High-performance automotive — Ti-6Al-4V valves, fasteners, and components for racing applications
Industries We Serve
CNC Turning Services
CNC Milling Services
Custom Fasteners
Value-Added Services
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the difference between Grade 5 and Grade 5 ELI titanium?
A: Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) and Grade 5 ELI (Extra Low Interstitial, ASTM F136) are compositionally similar but ELI has lower maximum limits for oxygen, nitrogen, and iron. ELI is specified for permanent implant applications where fatigue performance and biocompatibility under cyclic loading are critical.
Q: Why does titanium machining cost more than steel or aluminum?
A: Titanium’s low thermal conductivity concentrates heat at the tool tip, requiring lower cutting speeds (approximately 1/5 of aluminum speeds) and more frequent tool changes. Longer cycle times, higher tooling cost, and premium titanium material all contribute to higher per-part cost. The tradeoff — titanium’s strength-to-weight ratio and corrosion resistance — justifies the cost premium for the applications where it is specified.
Q: Can RPM machine titanium for medical implants?
A: Yes. We machine Grade 5 ELI per ASTM F136 and Grade 2 per ASTM F67 for medical implant applications. Material traceability, process controls appropriate for implant component production, and documentation per ISO 9001 requirements are standard on medical titanium orders.
Q: Can RPM verify material certification for titanium?
A: Yes. We source titanium with AMS 4928 (Grade 5) or ASTM B265/F136 (Grade 2) certification. Material heat numbers are recorded and referenced to specific production lots. Copies of mill certifications are available with delivery on request.