Titanium Grade 3 vs Ti Grade 16
Titanium · grade comparison
Titanium Grade 3 and Ti Grade 16 are both titanium grades. Grade 3 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for Ti Grade 16, about 11% more; tensile strength follows at 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) vs 460 MPa (66.7 ksi). In exchange, Ti Grade 16 is the more ductile: elongation 26% versus 20% for Grade 3, and Grade 3 is harder (200 HB vs 150 HB). On the shop floor, Ti Grade 16 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Grade 3 (specialty, $$$$$).
Grade 3Choose it when strength drives the design.
Ti Grade 16Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Grade 3 vs Ti Grade 16: 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Same in both: Shear Modulus 45 GPa6.5 Msi · Bulk Modulus 110 GPa16 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.34 · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Melting Point (Solidus)
Liquidus Temperature
Same in both: Density 4.51 g/cm³0.16 lb/in³
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 16.4 W/m·K9.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Specific Heat Capacity 523 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 8.6 µm/m·K4.8 µin/in·°F · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 300°C572 °F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Same in both: Electrical Conductivity 3.1 % IACS
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)
Corrosion Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 25%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 7 mm²/s
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 | Grade 3 | Ti Grade 16 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | O | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 1 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| AlCrN | Yes | — |
| AlTiN | Yes | — |
| Anodizing Type II | Yes | — |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | — |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | — |
| CVD TiN | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| CrN | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
| MoS2 | Yes | — |
| Multilayer CVD | Yes | — |
| TiAlN | Yes | — |
| TiB2 | Yes | — |
| TiCN | Yes | — |
| TiN | Yes | — |
| WC/C | Yes | — |
They share 1 finish: Plasma Spray.
Grade 3 vs Ti Grade 16 — frequently asked
Is Grade 3 stronger than Ti Grade 16?
Yes. Grade 3 has a typical yield strength of 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) against 380 MPa (55.1 ksi) for Ti Grade 16 — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 500 MPa (72.5 ksi) vs 460 MPa (66.7 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Grade 3 or Ti Grade 16?
Ti Grade 16 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Grade 3 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose Grade 3 over Ti Grade 16?
Pick Grade 3 when strength drives the design. Pick Ti Grade 16 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when cost is the deciding factor.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Grade 3 and Ti Grade 16 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.