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Titanium IMI 550 vs Ti-6-22-22

Titanium · grade comparison

Titanium IMI 550 and Ti-6-22-22 are both titanium grades. Ti-6-22-22 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 1,160 MPa (168 ksi) against 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) for IMI 550, about 10% more; tensile strength follows at 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 1,150 MPa (167 ksi). In exchange, IMI 550 is the more ductile: elongation 13% versus 10% for Ti-6-22-22, and Ti-6-22-22 is harder (38 HRC vs 36 HRC). IMI 550 runs hotter in service (400°C vs 315°C continuous). On the shop floor, Ti-6-22-22 welds better (fair vs poor).

IMI 550Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part sees heat.

Ti-6-22-22Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

IMI 550 vs Ti-6-22-22: properties

IMI 550Ti-6-22-22

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
117 GPa17 Msi

Shear Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
45 GPa6.5 Msi

Bulk Modulus

107 GPa15.5 Msi
110 GPa16 Msi

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,150 MPa167 ksi
1,240 MPa180 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

1,050 MPa152 ksi
1,160 MPa168 ksi

Elongation at Break

13%
10%

Reduction in Area

30%
25%

Compressive Strength

1,120 MPa162 ksi
1,240 MPa180 ksi

Shear Strength

690 MPa100 ksi
720 MPa104 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

45 MPa·√m41 ksi·√in
55 MPa·√m50.1 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

15 J11.1 ft·lbf
14 J10.3 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

333 HB
—

Hardness, Rockwell C

36 HRC
38 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

350 HV
375 HV

Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.32 · Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit) 580 MPa84.1 ksi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

4.6 g/cm³0.17 lb/in³
4.65 g/cm³0.17 lb/in³

Same in both: Melting Point (Solidus) 1,590°C2,894 °F · Liquidus Temperature 1,650°C3,002 °F

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

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

Specific Heat Capacity

565 J/kg·K0.13 BTU/lb·°F
500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

9.4 µm/m·K5.2 µin/in·°F
9 µm/m·K5 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

400°C752 °F
315°C599 °F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 365 J/g157 BTU/lb · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Conductivity

1.1 % IACS
1 % IACS

Electrical Resistivity

1.65×10⁻⁶ Ω·m65 µΩ·in
1.7×10⁻⁶ Ω·m66.9 µΩ·in

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

85 / 100
88 / 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 Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

18%
12%

Weldability

25 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
18 / 100

Castability

20 / 100
—

Brazeability / Solderability

35 / 100
40 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
60 / 100

Same in both: Machinability 16 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Water

500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
800 L/kg95.9 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

20%
25%

Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 650 MJ/kg279,450 BTU/lb · Embodied Carbon (primary production) 42 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

250 kN·m/kg
267 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25 MN·m/kg
25.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

4,793 kJ/m³
5,750 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

2.7 mm²/s
3 mm²/s

Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 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 scaleTi-6-22-22IMI 550

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityIMI 550Ti-6-22-22
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 1 finish: Plasma Spray.

IMI 550 vs Ti-6-22-22 — frequently asked

Is Ti-6-22-22 stronger than IMI 550?

Yes. Ti-6-22-22 has a typical yield strength of 1,160 MPa (168 ksi) against 1,050 MPa (152 ksi) for IMI 550 — about 10% more. Tensile strength is 1,240 MPa (180 ksi) vs 1,150 MPa (167 ksi).

Which is cheaper, IMI 550 or Ti-6-22-22?

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 welds better, IMI 550 or Ti-6-22-22?

Ti-6-22-22. Its weldability rates fair (45/100) against poor (25/100) for IMI 550.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in IMI 550 and Ti-6-22-22 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.