Titanium BT5 vs Grade 17
Titanium · grade comparison
Titanium BT5 and Grade 17 are both titanium grades. BT5 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 740 MPa (107 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for Grade 17, about 3.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 330 MPa (47.9 ksi). In exchange, Grade 17 is the more ductile: elongation 32% versus 13% for BT5, and BT5 is harder (265 HB vs 120 HB). BT5 is stiffer (112 GPa vs 103 GPa) and BT5 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 315°C continuous). On the shop floor, Grade 17 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and Grade 17 welds better (excellent vs very good).
BT5Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Grade 17Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
BT5 vs Grade 17: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all titanium grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all titanium grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell B
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Min Service Temperature
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Conductivity
Electrical Resistivity
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
Same in both: Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE) -0.1 V
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 45 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 700 MJ/kg300,946 BTU/lb · Typical Recycled Content 25%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 7
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every titanium grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | BT5 | Grade 17 |
|---|---|---|
| Default condition | — | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
Both take the same 1 finish: Plasma Spray.
BT5 vs Grade 17 — frequently asked
Is BT5 stronger than Grade 17?
Yes. BT5 has a typical yield strength of 740 MPa (107 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for Grade 17 — about 3.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 830 MPa (120 ksi) vs 330 MPa (47.9 ksi).
Which is cheaper, BT5 or Grade 17?
Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.
Which is easier to machine, BT5 or Grade 17?
Grade 17. Its machinability rates fair (40/100) against poor (24/100) for BT5; for welding the order is Grade 17 first (excellent, 88/100) then BT5 (very good, 78/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in BT5 and Grade 17 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.