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Titanium Grade 16 vs TA15

Titanium · grade comparison

Titanium Grade 16 and TA15 are both titanium grades. TA15 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 900 MPa (131 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for Grade 16, about 137% more; tensile strength follows at 990 MPa (144 ksi) vs 485 MPa (70.3 ksi). In exchange, Grade 16 is the more ductile: elongation 28% versus 12% for TA15, and TA15 is harder (320 HB vs 150 HB). TA15 is stiffer (115 GPa vs 105 GPa) and TA15 runs hotter in service (500°C vs 315°C continuous). On the shop floor, Grade 16 machines more easily (fair vs poor).

Grade 16Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.

TA15Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Grade 16 vs TA15: properties

Grade 16TA15

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

105 GPa15.2 Msi
115 GPa16.7 Msi

Shear Modulus

45 GPa6.5 Msi
44 GPa6.4 Msi

Bulk Modulus

110 GPa16 Msi
108 GPa15.7 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.34
0.32

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

485 MPa70.3 ksi
990 MPa144 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

380 MPa55.1 ksi
900 MPa131 ksi

Elongation at Break

28%
12%

Reduction in Area

45%
35%

Compressive Strength

400 MPa58 ksi
1,000 MPa145 ksi

Shear Strength

310 MPa45 ksi
620 MPa89.9 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

280 MPa40.6 ksi
480 MPa69.6 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in
72 MPa·√m65.5 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

40 J29.5 ft·lbf
32 J23.6 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

150 HB
320 HB

Hardness, Rockwell B

80 HRB
—

Hardness, Vickers

160 HV
335 HV

Hardness, Rockwell C

—
33 HRC

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Point (Solidus)

1,660°C3,020 °F
1,600°C2,912 °F

Liquidus Temperature

1,670°C3,038 °F
1,680°C3,056 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

17 W/m·K9.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F
7.5 W/m·K4.3 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

295 J/g127 BTU/lb
365 J/g157 BTU/lb

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

315°C599 °F
500°C932 °F

Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 8.6 µm/m·K4.8 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

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)

-0.05 V
-0.1 V

Corrosion Resistance

96 / 100
88 / 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 %)

35%
20%

Weldability

88 / 100
80 / 100

Formability (cold)

75 / 100
32 / 100

Brazeability / Solderability

40 / 100
45 / 100

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

620 MJ/kg266,552 BTU/lb
650 MJ/kg279,450 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

38 kg CO₂/kg
42 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Water 500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 25%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

108 kN·m/kg
222 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

23.3 MN·m/kg
25.8 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

688 kJ/m³
3,522 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

7.2 mm²/s
3.1 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

9
8

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 16TA15

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityGrade 16TA15
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 1 finish: Plasma Spray.

Grade 16 vs TA15 — frequently asked

Is TA15 stronger than Grade 16?

Yes. TA15 has a typical yield strength of 900 MPa (131 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for Grade 16 — about 137% more. Tensile strength is 990 MPa (144 ksi) vs 485 MPa (70.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Grade 16 or TA15?

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 16 or TA15?

Grade 16. Its machinability rates fair (38/100) against poor (18/100) for TA15; for welding the order is Grade 16 first (excellent, 88/100) then TA15 (very good, 80/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Grade 16 and TA15 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.