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Titanium IMI 550 vs Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo

Titanium · grade comparison

Titanium IMI 550 and Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo are both titanium grades. Both yield at about 1,050 MPa — strength does not separate them. IMI 550 is the more ductile: elongation 13% versus 10% for Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo, and Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo is harder (38 HRC vs 36 HRC).

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

IMI 550 vs Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo: properties

IMI 550Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

115 GPa16.7 Msi
114 GPa16.5 Msi

Shear Modulus

44 GPa6.4 Msi
43 GPa6.2 Msi

Bulk Modulus

107 GPa15.5 Msi
112 GPa16.2 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.32
0.33

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

1,150 MPa167 ksi
1,170 MPa170 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

1,050 MPa152 ksi
1,100 MPa160 ksi

Elongation at Break

13%
10%

Reduction in Area

30%
22%

Compressive Strength

1,120 MPa162 ksi
1,180 MPa171 ksi

Shear Strength

690 MPa100 ksi
720 MPa104 ksi

Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)

580 MPa84.1 ksi
560 MPa81.2 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

45 MPa·√m41 ksi·√in
32 MPa·√m29.1 ksi·√in

Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)

15 J11.1 ft·lbf
12 J8.9 ft·lbf

Hardness, Brinell

333 HB
350 HB

Hardness, Rockwell C

36 HRC
38 HRC

Hardness, Vickers

350 HV
370 HV

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
6.6 W/m·K3.8 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

565 J/kg·K0.13 BTU/lb·°F
480 J/kg·K0.11 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

9.4 µm/m·K5.2 µin/in·°F
8 µm/m·K4.4 µin/in·°F

Same in both: Latent Heat of Fusion 365 J/g157 BTU/lb · Max Service Temperature (continuous) 400°C752 °F · 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
1.8×10⁻⁶ Ω·m70.9 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

16 / 100
14 / 100

Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)

18%
12%

Weldability

25 / 100
30 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
10 / 100

Castability

20 / 100
—

Same in both: Brazeability / Solderability 35 / 100 · Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

650 MJ/kg279,450 BTU/lb
700 MJ/kg300,946 BTU/lb

Embodied Water

500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
1,000 L/kg120 gal/lb

Typical Recycled Content

20%
25%

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 42 kg CO₂/kg

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

250 kN·m/kg
252 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

25 MN·m/kg
24.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

4,793 kJ/m³
5,307 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-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6MoIMI 550

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityIMI 550Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Both take the same 1 finish: Plasma Spray.

IMI 550 vs Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo — frequently asked

What is the difference between IMI 550 and Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo?

Titanium IMI 550 and Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo are both titanium grades. Both yield at about 1,050 MPa — strength does not separate them. IMI 550 is the more ductile: elongation 13% versus 10% for Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo, and Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo is harder (38 HRC vs 36 HRC).

Which is cheaper, IMI 550 or Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo?

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-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo?

Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo. Its weldability rates poor (30/100) 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-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo 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.