Titanium Grade 3 vs Ti Grade 38
Titanium · grade comparison
Titanium Grade 3 and Ti Grade 38 are both titanium grades. Ti Grade 38 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 810 MPa (117 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for Grade 3, about 93% more; tensile strength follows at 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi). In exchange, Grade 3 is the more ductile: elongation 20% versus 15% for Ti Grade 38, and Ti Grade 38 is harder (290 HB vs 200 HB). Ti Grade 38 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 300°C continuous) and Grade 3 conducts heat better (16.4 W/m·K vs 7 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Grade 3 machines more easily (fair vs poor), Grade 3 welds better (excellent vs very good), and Ti Grade 38 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Grade 3 (specialty, $$$$$).
Grade 3Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
Ti Grade 38Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Grade 3 vs Ti Grade 38: 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
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)
Hardness, Brinell
Hardness, Rockwell B
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Rockwell C
Same in both: Reduction in Area 35% · Fracture Toughness (K_IC) 70 MPa·√m63.7 ksi·√in
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)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
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
Castability
Polishability
Same in both: Formability (cold) 55 / 100 · Brazeability / Solderability 40 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Typical Recycled Content
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Thermal Shock Resistance Index
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 38 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | Yes | — |
| Sheet metal | Yes | — |
| Default condition | O | — |
| Relative cost | $$$$$ Specialty | $$$$ High |
| Min. machined wall | 1 mm | — |
| Best machined surface | Ra 1.6 µm | — |
| AlCrN | Yes | — |
| AlTiN | Yes | — |
| Anodizing Type II | Yes | — |
| CVD Al2O3 | Yes | — |
| CVD TiCN | Yes | — |
| CVD TiN | Yes | — |
| Cerakote | Yes | — |
| CrN | Yes | — |
| DLC | Yes | — |
| Electropolishing | Yes | — |
| HVOF Coating | Yes | — |
| MoS2 | Yes | — |
| Multilayer CVD | Yes | — |
| TiAlN | Yes | — |
| TiB2 | Yes | — |
| TiCN | Yes | — |
| TiN | Yes | — |
| WC/C | Yes | — |
They share 1 finish: Plasma Spray.
Grade 3 vs Ti Grade 38 — frequently asked
Is Ti Grade 38 stronger than Grade 3?
Yes. Ti Grade 38 has a typical yield strength of 810 MPa (117 ksi) against 420 MPa (60.9 ksi) for Grade 3 — about 93% more. Tensile strength is 900 MPa (131 ksi) vs 500 MPa (72.5 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Grade 3 or Ti Grade 38?
Ti Grade 38 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Grade 3 is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, Grade 3 or Ti Grade 38?
Grade 3. Its machinability rates fair (35/100) against poor (24/100) for Ti Grade 38; for welding the order is Grade 3 first (excellent, 85/100) then Ti Grade 38 (very good, 70/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Grade 3 and Ti Grade 38 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.