Titanium Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe vs Ti-15-3
Titanium · grade comparison
Titanium Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe and Ti-15-3 are both titanium grades. Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe is the stronger of the two: yield strength 990 MPa (144 ksi) against 790 MPa (115 ksi) for Ti-15-3, about 25% more; tensile strength follows at 1,060 MPa (154 ksi) vs 820 MPa (119 ksi). Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe is harder — 32 HRC against 27 HRC for Ti-15-3 — which matters for wear surfaces and threads. Ti-15-3 is lighter (4.76 g/cm³ vs 5 g/cm³ for Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe) and Ti-15-3 conducts heat better (8.1 W/m·K vs 6.8 W/m·K). On the shop floor, Ti-15-3 welds better (very good vs good), Ti-15-3 forms better (80 vs 70 out of 100), and Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than Ti-15-3 (specialty, $$$$$).
Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2FeChoose it when strength drives the design, or when surface hardness matters.
Ti-15-3Choose it when weight is the constraint, or when it will be welded.
Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe vs Ti-15-3: 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
Reduction in Area
Compressive Strength
Shear Strength
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Hardness, Rockwell C
Hardness, Vickers
Hardness, Brinell
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
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Latent Heat of Fusion
Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F · Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Electrical Conductivity
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
Formability (cold)
Castability
Brazeability / Solderability
Polishability
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Same in both: Embodied Water 600 L/kg71.9 gal/lb
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 10
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 | Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe | Ti-15-3 |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | O |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | 1 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 1.6 µm |
| AlCrN | — | Yes |
| AlTiN | — | Yes |
| Anodizing Type II | — | Yes |
| CVD Al2O3 | — | Yes |
| CVD TiCN | — | Yes |
| CVD TiN | — | Yes |
| Cerakote | — | Yes |
| CrN | — | Yes |
| DLC | — | Yes |
| Electropolishing | — | Yes |
| HVOF Coating | — | Yes |
| MoS2 | — | Yes |
| Multilayer CVD | — | Yes |
| TiAlN | — | Yes |
| TiB2 | — | Yes |
| TiCN | — | Yes |
| TiN | — | Yes |
| WC/C | — | Yes |
They share 1 finish: Plasma Spray.
Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe vs Ti-15-3 — frequently asked
Is Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe stronger than Ti-15-3?
Yes. Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe has a typical yield strength of 990 MPa (144 ksi) against 790 MPa (115 ksi) for Ti-15-3 — about 25% more. Tensile strength is 1,060 MPa (154 ksi) vs 820 MPa (119 ksi).
Which is cheaper, Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe or Ti-15-3?
Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while Ti-15-3 is specialty ($$$$$). 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, Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe or Ti-15-3?
Ti-15-3, by a small margin. Both rate poor for machinability — 20/100 against 15/100 for Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe; for welding the order is Ti-15-3 first (very good, 70/100) then Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Ti-12Mo-6Zr-2Fe and Ti-15-3 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.