Titanium BT20
GB BT20
BT20 is a near-alpha structural titanium alloy comparable to TA15, supplied annealed, double-annealed, stress-relieved or solution treated and aged.
Reference datasheet — BT20 is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
Values for the M condition
BT20 tempers and conditions
BT20 is supplied in 5 conditions, soft to hard. M is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 5 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As hot-worked / hot-rolled | Pick the as hot-worked or hot-rolled state as the economical supply form for thick plate, bar and forging stock, then anneal or stress relieve before use; machinability is lowest at 16. | 860 | 960 | 10 | 33 HRC | 1.1 % IACS |
MDefault Thermomechanically controlled processed | Take the common annealed (750-800 °C) sheet and bar supply condition for a balance of 880 MPa yield and 12% elongation that can be welded and machined directly. | 880 | 990 | 12 | 32 HRC | — |
Duplex (double) annealed | Specify duplex (double) annealing for load-carrying hot-section parts to 500 °C that need long-term thermal stability and creep resistance, with service capability to 520 °C. | 900 | 980 | 12 | 33 HRC | 1.1 % IACS |
Stress relieved | Apply 600-650 °C stress relief to welded or hot-formed parts to remove residual stress with almost no change in strength level (900 MPa yield, 1000 MPa tensile). | 900 | 1,000 | 11 | 33 HRC | 1.1 % IACS |
Solution treated and aged | Use solution treating plus ageing only on small-section parts where a 5-10% strength gain is needed; near-alpha strengthening potential is limited and elongation drops to 8%. | 990 | 1,080 | 8 | 36 HRC | — |
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways BT20 is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
BA | Beta annealed | Surface finish |
What is BT20?
BT20 is a near-alpha structural titanium alloy comparable to TA15, supplied annealed, double-annealed, stress-relieved or solution treated and aged. It combines weldability (score 72) with medium-to-high strength — about 880 MPa yield, 990 MPa tensile, 12% elongation, 32 HRC and service to 500 °C — which suits welded and hot-formed airframe structure. Room-temperature formability is poor (score 30) and machinability is the lowest in this family (score 18), so forming is done hot; Ti-6Al-4V is the alternative where weldability matters less. BT20 has a density of 4.46 g/cm³ (0.161 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of titanium grades. It melts at 1,590°C (2,894 °F). BT20 has a yield strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) and a tensile strength of 990 MPa (144 ksi) — stronger than 78% of titanium grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 118 GPa (17.1 Msi).
What is BT20 used for?
- Airframe structural parts
- Welded panels and bulkheads
- Hot-formed and superplastically formed skins
- Forged frames and fittings
- Engine mounting brackets
- Welded hot-air ducting
Advantages
- Stiff — 118 GPa (17.1 Msi), better than 96% of titanium grades
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 94% of titanium grades
- High strength — 880 MPa (128 ksi), better than 78% of titanium grades
Limitations
- Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 97% of titanium grades
- Limited ductility — 12%, worse than 78% of titanium grades
BT20 properties
Typical room-temperature values for BT20-M; bars are the position among titanium grades.
Physical3
BT20 has a density of 4.46 g/cm³ (0.161 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of titanium grades. It melts at 1,590°C (2,894 °F).
Mechanical16
BT20 has a yield strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) and a tensile strength of 990 MPa (144 ksi) — stronger than 78% of titanium grades. Elongation at break is 12% and the elastic modulus is 118 GPa (17.1 Msi).
Thermal6
BT20 is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 7.5 W/m·K (4.33 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 65% of titanium grades. Thermal expansion is 8.6 µm/m·K (4.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
BT20 conducts electricity at 1.1 % IACS, worse than 67% of titanium grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (85/100), worse than 93% of titanium grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of BT20 takes about 680 MJ of energy and emits 45 kg of CO₂ — more than 51% of titanium grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.
Manufacturability7
BT20's machinability is poor (18/100, worse than 83% of titanium grades); weldability very good (72/100); formability poor (30/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the titanium family
Yield strength against density for every titanium grade FabDigit runs. BT20 is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with BT20
Is BT20 easy to machine?
Use low speed, high feed, rigid clamping and high-pressure coolant with carbide or diamond-coated tooling. Keep depth of cut constant to avoid work hardening and built-up edge.
Can BT20 be welded?
TIG, plasma, electron-beam and laser welding are all usable with continuous inert-gas or vacuum shielding, followed by stress relief at 600–650 °C. Weld strength is close to the parent metal, with slightly reduced ductility.
Can BT20 be formed, bent or molded?
Room-temperature formability is poor; bend and draw at 650–800 °C or use superplastic forming. Forging is carried out at roughly 930–990 °C in the alpha+beta field.
BT20 chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| Alalpha stabilizer, high aluminum equivalent | 5.5 – 7 | 6.4 |
| Zr | 1.5 – 2.5 | 2 |
| Mo | 0.5 – 2 | 1.5 |
| V | 0.8 – 2.5 | 1.5 |
| Feimpurity limit | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Siimpurity limit | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Oimpurity limit | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Cimpurity limit | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Nimpurity limit | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Himpurity limit | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Ti | balance |
What surface finishes work on BT20?
Pickle in HNO₃/HF to remove scale and alpha case. Colour anodising, micro-arc oxidation or shot peening can follow; avoid chlorine-bearing solvent residues that can cause stress corrosion.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on titanium parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Thermal Spray
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to Titanium BT20 in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Also called
- TA15
How much does BT20 cost?
BT20 is a high-cost titanium ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
BT20 — frequently asked
What is BT20 used for?
BT20 is typically used for airframe structural parts, welded panels and bulkheads, hot-formed and superplastically formed skins, forged frames and fittings, engine mounting brackets and welded hot-air ducting. In short: strongest weldable near-alpha; 500 °C service capability; hot forming required.
What is the yield strength of BT20?
BT20 has a typical yield strength of 880 MPa (128 ksi) and a tensile strength of 990 MPa (144 ksi) — stronger than 78% of titanium grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is BT20 easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (18/100, worse than 83% of titanium grades). Use low speed, high feed, rigid clamping and high-pressure coolant with carbide or diamond-coated tooling. Keep depth of cut constant to avoid work hardening and built-up edge.
Can BT20 be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (72/100). TIG, plasma, electron-beam and laser welding are all usable with continuous inert-gas or vacuum shielding, followed by stress relief at 600–650 °C. Weld strength is close to the parent metal, with slightly reduced ductility.
What surface finishes work on BT20?
Pickle in HNO₃/HF to remove scale and alpha case. Colour anodising, micro-arc oxidation or shot peening can follow; avoid chlorine-bearing solvent residues that can cause stress corrosion.
Can BT20 be formed, bent or molded?
Room-temperature formability is poor; bend and draw at 650–800 °C or use superplastic forming. Forging is carried out at roughly 930–990 °C in the alpha+beta field.
What is the maximum service temperature of BT20?
BT20 is rated for continuous use to about 500°C (932 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between BT20-M and BT20-STA?
M is the default condition — take the common annealed (750-800 °C) sheet and bar supply condition for a balance of 880 MPa yield and 12% elongation that can be welded and machined directly. STA: use solution treating plus ageing only on small-section parts where a 5-10% strength gain is needed; near-alpha strengthening potential is limited and elongation drops to 8%. Yield strength is 880 MPa in M versus 990 MPa in STA.
How much does BT20 cost?
BT20 is a high-cost titanium ($$$$), pricier than about 78% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- GOST 19807-91 Титан и сплавы титановые деформируемые. Марки — Gosstandart (1991)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys (Titanium) — ASM International (1990)
- Марочник стали и сплавов — сплав ВТ20 — Mashinostroenie (2003)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.