TiN
TiN is a hard, gold-colored transition-metal nitride from the nitride ceramic family (Si₃N₄, AlN, BN, Sialon), used mainly as a PVD or CVD thin film and also in bulk hot-pressed, pressureless-sintered and Al₂O₃-TiN composite form.
Reference datasheet — TiN is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the HP condition
TiN tempers and conditions
TiN is supplied in 3 conditions, soft to hard. HP is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 3 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Pressureless-sintered TiN | Lower-cost route for larger or complex bulk shapes where some residual porosity and lower hardness are acceptable. | 1,600 HV | 22 W/m·K | |||
Al₂O₃–TiN 30 % | Pick when a hard ceramic must also be EDM-wire-cut or wire-eroded — e.g. cutting inserts, punches, wear guides. | 1,750 HV | 25 W/m·K | |||
HPDefault Hot-pressed / SPS dense bulk TiN | Choose for dense bulk parts, electrodes, crucibles and EDM-machinable conductive ceramic bodies. | 1,900 HV | 29 W/m·K |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways TiN is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
CVD | Thermally deposited TiN coating, 3–10 µm | Coating |
PVD | Arc/sputtered TiN thin film coating, 1–5 µm | Coating |
What is TiN?
TiN is a hard, gold-colored transition-metal nitride from the nitride ceramic family (Si₃N₄, AlN, BN, Sialon), used mainly as a PVD or CVD thin film and also in bulk hot-pressed, pressureless-sintered and Al₂O₃-TiN composite form. Engineers specify it for cutting-tool and wear coatings and for decorative gold finishes; because it is electrically conductive, bulk parts can be EDM'd. Reference values are density 5.22 g/cm³, elastic modulus 250 GPa and thermal conductivity 29 W/m·K. Oxidation limits service to about 600 °C, so TiCN or TiAlN is the usual substitute for hotter or harder duty. TiN has a density of 5.22 g/cm³ (0.189 lb/in³), heavier than 54% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,950°C (5,342 °F). The elastic modulus is 250 GPa (36.3 Msi).
What is TiN used for?
- cutting tool PVD coatings
- wear-resistant coatings
- decorative gold-tone finishes
- diffusion barrier layers
- medical implant coatings
TiN properties
Typical room-temperature values for TiN-HP; bars are the position among ceramic grades.
Physical3
TiN has a density of 5.22 g/cm³ (0.189 lb/in³), heavier than 54% of ceramic grades. It melts at 2,950°C (5,342 °F).
Mechanical9
The elastic modulus is 250 GPa (36.3 Msi).
Thermal5
TiN is rated for continuous service to 600°C (1,112 °F). It conducts heat at 29 W/m·K (16.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 57% of ceramic grades. Thermal expansion is 9.4 µm/m·K (5.22 µin/in·°F).
Electrical2
TiN has an electrical resistivity of 3×10⁻⁷ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental2
Corrosion resistance is very good (75/100), better than 50% of ceramic grades.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of TiN takes about 200 MJ of energy and emits 15 kg of CO₂ — more than 63% of ceramic grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability3
TiN's machinability is not recommended (8/100, better than 69% of ceramic grades).
Common Calculations2
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the ceramic family
Yield strength against density for every ceramic grade FabDigit runs. TiN is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with TiN
Is TiN easy to machine?
Bulk TiN is machined only by diamond grinding, lapping or laser; because it is electrically conductive it can also be wire/sink EDM'd — a key advantage over insulating nitrides.
Can TiN be welded?
Not weldable; joined by active-metal brazing (Ti/Zr-containing filler), diffusion bonding or mechanical clamping.
Can TiN be formed, bent or molded?
Shaped by uniaxial/CIP pressing then hot-pressing or SPS at 1650–2000 °C (pressureless sintering needs Ni/Co aid); coatings are produced by cathodic-arc/sputter PVD at 200–500 °C or CVD at 900–1050 °C in N₂/TiCl₄.
TiN chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| N | 21 – 23 | 22.6 |
| Osurface oxide on powder | ≤ 1 | 0.4 |
| Cfrom carbothermal route | ≤ 0.5 | 0.15 |
| Nionly in liquid-phase (pressureless) sintered grades | ≤ 3 | |
| Tistoichiometric TiN₁.₀; commercial TiNx ranges x ≈ 0.6–1.1 | ≥ 76 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on TiN?
Substrate must be polished before coating — PVD TiN replicates the surface; gold film can be polished, passivated or over-coated (TiCN/TiAlN) and is stripped chemically in H₂O₂-based baths for recoating.
How much does TiN cost?
TiN is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
TiN — frequently asked
What is TiN used for?
TiN is typically used for cutting tool PVD coatings, wear-resistant coatings, decorative gold-tone finishes, diffusion barrier layers and medical implant coatings. In short: conductive, EDM-able nitride; standard gold tool coating; 600 °C oxidation limit.
Is TiN easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (8/100, better than 69% of ceramic grades). Bulk TiN is machined only by diamond grinding, lapping or laser; because it is electrically conductive it can also be wire/sink EDM'd — a key advantage over insulating nitrides.
Can TiN be welded?
Not weldable; joined by active-metal brazing (Ti/Zr-containing filler), diffusion bonding or mechanical clamping.
What surface finishes work on TiN?
Substrate must be polished before coating — PVD TiN replicates the surface; gold film can be polished, passivated or over-coated (TiCN/TiAlN) and is stripped chemically in H₂O₂-based baths for recoating.
Can TiN be formed, bent or molded?
Shaped by uniaxial/CIP pressing then hot-pressing or SPS at 1650–2000 °C (pressureless sintering needs Ni/Co aid); coatings are produced by cathodic-arc/sputter PVD at 200–500 °C or CVD at 900–1050 °C in N₂/TiCl₄.
What is the maximum service temperature of TiN?
TiN is rated for continuous use to about 600°C (1,112 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does TiN cost?
TiN is a high-cost ceramic ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Handbook of Refractory Carbides and Nitrides — Noyes/William Andrew (H.O. Pierson) (1996)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook, Vol. 4: Ceramics and Glasses — ASM International (1991)
- PVD hard coating datasheets (TiN / BALINIT A class) — Oerlikon Balzers / IHI Hauzer (2023)
- Non-oxide ceramic property tables (TiN, TiCN, Al₂O₃–TiN) — CES/MatWeb-type compilations (2024)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.