FabDigitFabDigit

Titanium C-1 vs VT20L

Titanium · grade comparison

Titanium C-1 and VT20L are both titanium grades. VT20L is the stronger of the two: yield strength 860 MPa (125 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for C-1, about 4.1 times as much; tensile strength follows at 940 MPa (136 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi). In exchange, C-1 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 9% for VT20L, and VT20L is harder (296 HB vs 120 HB). VT20L is stiffer (112 GPa vs 103 GPa) and VT20L runs hotter in service (500°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, C-1 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and C-1 welds better (excellent vs very good).

C-1Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

VT20LChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

C-1 vs VT20L: properties

C-1VT20L

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

103 GPa14.9 Msi
112 GPa16.2 Msi

Shear Modulus

45 GPa6.5 Msi
43 GPa6.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.32

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

300 MPa43.5 ksi
940 MPa136 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

210 MPa30.5 ksi
860 MPa125 ksi

Elongation at Break

20%
9%

Reduction in Area

30%
20%

Compressive Strength

220 MPa31.9 ksi
970 MPa141 ksi

Shear Strength

210 MPa30.5 ksi
580 MPa84.1 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

145 MPa21 ksi
420 MPa60.9 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

75 MPa·√m68.3 ksi·√in
72 MPa·√m65.5 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

45 J33.2 ft·lbf
24 J17.7 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

120 HB
296 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

65 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

130 HV
315 HV

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
31 HRC

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 108 GPa15.7 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

4.51 g/cm³0.16 lb/in³
4.45 g/cm³0.16 lb/in³

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,660°C3,020 °F
1,600°C2,912 °F

Same in both: Liquidus Temperature 1,670°C3,038 °F

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

17 W/m·K9.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
7 W/m·K4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

523 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
540 J/kg·K0.13 BTU/lb·°F

Latent Heat of Fusion

325 J/g140 BTU/lb
365 J/g157 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
500°C932 °F

Min Service Temperature

-250°C-418 °F
-196°C-321 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 8.6 µm/m·K4.8 µin/in·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

3.6 % IACS
1.1 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

4.8×10⁻⁷ Ω·m18.9 µΩ·in
1.65×10⁻⁶ Ω·m65 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

93 / 100
90 / 100

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

42 / 100
20 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

35%
20%

Weldability

88 / 100
75 / 100

Formability (cold)

60 / 100
15 / 100

Castability

65 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

640 MJ/kg275,151 BTU/lb
700 MJ/kg300,946 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

700 L/kg83.9 gal/lb
1,400 L/kg168 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

30%
35%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 40 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

67 kN·m/kg
211 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

22.8 MN·m/kg
25.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

214 kJ/m³
3,302 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

7.2 mm²/s
2.9 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

6
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.

3005007001,0004.555.5Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleC-1VT20L

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityC-1VT20L
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 1 finish: Plasma Spray.

C-1 vs VT20L — frequently asked

Is VT20L stronger than C-1?

Yes. VT20L has a typical yield strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) against 210 MPa (30.5 ksi) for C-1 — about 4.1 times as much. Tensile strength is 940 MPa (136 ksi) vs 300 MPa (43.5 ksi).

Which is cheaper, C-1 or VT20L?

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, C-1 or VT20L?

C-1. Its machinability rates fair (42/100) against poor (20/100) for VT20L; for welding the order is C-1 first (excellent, 88/100) then VT20L (very good, 75/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in C-1 and VT20L 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.