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Titanium Grade 13 vs IMI 685

Titanium · grade comparison

Titanium Grade 13 and IMI 685 are both titanium grades. IMI 685 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 870 MPa (126 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for Grade 13, about 3.6 times as much; tensile strength follows at 990 MPa (144 ksi) vs 345 MPa (50 ksi). In exchange, Grade 13 is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 11% for IMI 685, and IMI 685 is harder (330 HV vs 140 HV). IMI 685 is stiffer (120 GPa vs 105 GPa) and IMI 685 runs hotter in service (520°C vs 300°C continuous). On the shop floor, Grade 13 machines more easily (fair vs poor) and Grade 13 welds better (excellent vs fair).

Grade 13Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

IMI 685Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Grade 13 vs IMI 685: properties

Grade 13IMI 685

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

105 GPa15.2 Msi
120 GPa17.4 Msi

Shear Modulus

40 GPa5.8 Msi
45 GPa6.5 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.32

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

345 MPa50 ksi
990 MPa144 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

240 MPa34.8 ksi
870 MPa126 ksi

Elongation at Break

28%
11%

Reduction in Area

45%
20%

Compressive Strength

260 MPa37.7 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Shear Strength

240 MPa34.8 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

190 MPa27.6 ksi
500 MPa72.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

80 MPa·√m72.8 ksi·√in
70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

60 J44.3 ft·lbf
15 J11.1 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

130 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell B

72 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

140 HV
330 HV

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
33 HRC

Same in both: Bulk Modulus 110 GPa16 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,650°C3,002 °F
1,600°C2,912 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,675°C3,047 °F
1,660°C3,020 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

17.5 W/m·K10.1 BTU/hr·ft·°F
7 W/m·K4 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

520 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
530 J/kg·K0.13 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

8.6 µm/m·K4.8 µin/in·°F
9.3 µm/m·K5.2 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

300°C572 °F
520°C968 °F

Min Service Temperature

-250°C-418 °F
-100°C-148 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 365 J/g157 BTU/lb

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

3.1 % IACS
1.1 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

5.6×10⁻⁷ Ω·m22 µΩ·in
1.6×10⁻⁶ Ω·m63 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)

-0.1 V
-0.12 V

Corrosion Resistance

93 / 100
86 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

38 / 100
18 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

30%
16%

Weldability

88 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

72 / 100
20 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
35 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Castability

—
30 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

660 MJ/kg283,749 BTU/lb
650 MJ/kg279,450 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

45 kg CO₂/kg
40 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

1,500 L/kg180 gal/lb
600 L/kg71.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

25%
15%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

76 kN·m/kg
222 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

23.3 MN·m/kg
27 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

274 kJ/m³
3,154 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

7.5 mm²/s
3 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

7
6

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 scaleGrade 13IMI 685

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityGrade 13IMI 685
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 1 finish: Plasma Spray.

Grade 13 vs IMI 685 — frequently asked

Is IMI 685 stronger than Grade 13?

Yes. IMI 685 has a typical yield strength of 870 MPa (126 ksi) against 240 MPa (34.8 ksi) for Grade 13 — about 3.6 times as much. Tensile strength is 990 MPa (144 ksi) vs 345 MPa (50 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Grade 13 or IMI 685?

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, Grade 13 or IMI 685?

Grade 13. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (18/100) for IMI 685; for welding the order is Grade 13 first (excellent, 88/100) then IMI 685 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Grade 13 and IMI 685 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.