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Titanium BT5-1-AW (As-welded deposit)

Heat-treated state

Reference condition for weld-joint design; alpha alloy retains near-parent strength but lower ductility.

High cost $$$$

Values for the AW condition

Other BT5-1 tempers and conditions

BT5-1 is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at BT5-1.

Compare all 5 conditionsHide
Condition · open for datasheetBest forYield MPaTensile MPaElong. %HardnessConductivity
extra-low-interstitial (low O, N, H) for cryogenic service
Choose for liquid-hydrogen/liquid-helium hardware where notch toughness at -196 to -253 °C governs.7207901629 HRC8 W/m·K
AnnealedDefault
mill annealed sheet/plate (700–800 °C, air cool)
Standard stocked condition for sheet and plate; best balance of strength, ductility and weld response.80086013300 HB—
AWThis page
As-welded deposit
Reference condition for weld-joint design; alpha alloy retains near-parent strength but lower ductility.800850833 HRC1.1 % IACS
Stress relieved
Applied after welding, straightening or heavy machining to remove residual stress without softening.8208801233 HRC1.1 % IACS
Hot rolled
Lowest-cost mill condition for parts that will be machined and heat treated afterwards.8409001134 HRC1.1 % IACS

What is BT5-1-AW?

BT5-1-AW is BT5-1 heat treated to AW — reference condition for weld-joint design; alpha alloy retains near-parent strength but lower ductility. BT5-1-AW has a yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 57% of titanium grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi). BT5-1-AW has a density of 4.46 g/cm³ (0.161 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of titanium grades. It melts at 1,550°C (2,822 °F). Annealed is the default condition FabDigit quotes; AW is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • High service temperature — 425°C (797 °F), better than 85% of titanium grades

Limitations

  • Needs corrosion protection — 82/100, worse than 100% of titanium grades
  • Limited ductility — 8%, worse than 99% of titanium grades
  • Low fracture toughness — 45 MPa·√m (41 ksi·√in), worse than 98% of titanium grades
  • Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 97% of titanium grades
  • Limited formability — 20/100, worse than 83% of titanium grades

BT5-1-AW properties

Typical room-temperature values for BT5-1-AW; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are BT5-1 reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among titanium grades.

Physical3

BT5-1-AW has a density of 4.46 g/cm³ (0.161 lb/in³), lighter than 78% of titanium grades. It melts at 1,550°C (2,822 °F).

Density4.46 g/cm³0.16 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,550°C2,822 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,600°C2,912 °F

Mechanical16

BT5-1-AW has a yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 57% of titanium grades. Elongation at break is 8% and the elastic modulus is 110 GPa (16 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus110 GPa16 Msi
Shear Modulus43 GPa6.2 Msi
Bulk Modulus105 GPa15.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.31
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)850 MPa123 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)800 MPa116 ksi
Elongation at Break8%
Reduction in Area18%
Compressive Strength830 MPa120 ksi
Shear Strength545 MPa79 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)380 MPa55.1 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)45 MPa·√m41 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)18 J13.3 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell315 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C33 HRC
Hardness, Vickers330 HV

Thermal6

BT5-1-AW is rated for continuous service to 425°C (797 °F). It conducts heat at 7.8 W/m·K (4.51 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 53% of titanium grades. Thermal expansion is 9.4 µm/m·K (5.22 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity7.8 W/m·K4.5 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)9.4 µm/m·K5.2 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion390 J/g168 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)425°C797 °F
Min Service Temperature-253°C-423 °F

Electrical3

BT5-1-AW conducts electricity at 1.1 % IACS, worse than 67% of titanium grades.

Electrical Conductivity1.1 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.57×10⁻⁶ Ω·m61.8 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), worse than 100% of titanium grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.1 V
Corrosion ResistanceVery good82/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent in seawater, chlorides, oxidising acids and most organics thanks to a stable TiO₂ film; attacked by HF, hot concentrated HCl/H₂SO₄, and risks hydriding in dry chlorine or hot hydrogen.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of BT5-1-AW takes about 650 MJ of energy and emits 40 kg of CO₂ — less than 75% of titanium grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)650 MJ/kg279,450 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)40 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability8

BT5-1-AW's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 68% of titanium grades); weldability very good (70/100); formability poor (20/100).

MachinabilityPoor20/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)20%
WeldabilityVery good70/100
Formability (cold)Poor20/100
CastabilityFair40/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityFair45/100
PolishabilityGood60/100
Anodizing Responsegood — anodic/thermal oxide colouring and Type 2 anodise per AMS 2488 are used for galling and colour coding, not for hard corrosion protection

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.

Working with BT5-1-AW

Is BT5-1 easy to machine?

Machine like other alpha Ti: rigid setups, sharp uncoated-carbide or coated inserts, low surface speed (25–45 m/min), heavy flood coolant, and never dwell — work hardens and galls readily.

Can BT5-1 be welded?

Good GTAW/plasma/EB weldability with trailing argon or chamber shielding; keep interstitials and moisture out, then stress relieve 540–650 °C; no strengthening heat treatment available.

Can BT5-1 be formed, bent or molded?

Limited cold formability (bend radius ≥4–5t); hot or warm forming at 600–750 °C with subsequent descaling and alpha-case removal is the normal route.

What surface finishes work on BT5-1?

Pickle in HNO₃/HF to strip alpha case and scale; anodic oxide (AMS 2488) or thermal oxidation reduces galling, and shot/glass peening improves fatigue — avoid chloride-bearing marker inks before heat treatment.

BT5-1 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.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Alalpha stabiliser4.3 – 65
Snneutral solid-solution strengthener2 – 32.5
Zrimpurity limit≤ 0.3—
Si≤ 0.15—
Fe≤0.25 for кт/ELI grade≤ 0.3—
O≤0.10 for кт/ELI grade≤ 0.15—
C≤ 0.1—
N≤0.03 for кт/ELI≤ 0.05—
H≤0.008 for кт/ELI≤ 0.02—
Other, eachtotal ≤0.30≤ 0.1—
Tibalance—

BT5-1-AW — frequently asked

What is BT5-1-AW used for?

BT5-1-AW is typically used for cryogenic tanks, airframe structures and welded assemblies. In short: cryogenic-capable alpha titanium; weldable to 450 °C; ti-5Al-2.5Sn equivalent.

What is the yield strength of BT5-1-AW?

BT5-1-AW has a typical yield strength of 800 MPa (116 ksi) and a tensile strength of 850 MPa (123 ksi) — stronger than 57% of titanium grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.

Is BT5-1-AW easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 68% of titanium grades). Machine like other alpha Ti: rigid setups, sharp uncoated-carbide or coated inserts, low surface speed (25–45 m/min), heavy flood coolant, and never dwell — work hardens and galls readily.

Can BT5-1-AW be welded?

Yes — weldability is rated very good (70/100). Good GTAW/plasma/EB weldability with trailing argon or chamber shielding; keep interstitials and moisture out, then stress relieve 540–650 °C; no strengthening heat treatment available.

What surface finishes work on BT5-1-AW?

Pickle in HNO₃/HF to strip alpha case and scale; anodic oxide (AMS 2488) or thermal oxidation reduces galling, and shot/glass peening improves fatigue — avoid chloride-bearing marker inks before heat treatment.

Can BT5-1-AW be formed, bent or molded?

Limited cold formability (bend radius ≥4–5t); hot or warm forming at 600–750 °C with subsequent descaling and alpha-case removal is the normal route.

What is the maximum service temperature of BT5-1-AW?

BT5-1-AW is rated for continuous use to about 425°C (797 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between BT5-1 Annealed and BT5-1-ELI?

Annealed is the default condition — standard stocked condition for sheet and plate; best balance of strength, ductility and weld response. ELI: choose for liquid-hydrogen/liquid-helium hardware where notch toughness at -196 to -253 °C governs. Yield strength is 800 MPa in Annealed versus 720 MPa in ELI.

Sources

  1. GOST 19807 — Titanium and titanium alloys, grades — Gosstandart (1991)
  2. GOST 22178 — Titanium alloy sheets — Gosstandart (1976)
  3. ASTM B265 / B348 — Ti and Ti alloy strip, sheet, plate and bar (Grade 6 / Grade 6 ELI) — ASTM International (2020)
  4. GB/T 3620.1 — Titanium and titanium alloy grades (TA7) — SAC (2016)
  5. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties of Nonferrous Alloys (Ti-5Al-2.5Sn) — ASM International (1990)
  6. Materials Properties Handbook: Titanium Alloys — ASM International (1994)
  7. MMPDS-style typical design data for Ti-5Al-2.5Sn sheet and bar — Battelle (2022)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.