Titanium VT20L
GB VT20L
VT20L is a near-alpha titanium casting alloy of the Ti-Al-Zr-Mo-V type, compositionally close to ZTA15, supplied as investment castings in as-cast (F), annealed (A), HIP and HIP+A conditions.
Reference datasheet — VT20L 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 HIP+A condition
VT20L tempers and conditions
VT20L is supplied in 4 conditions, soft to hard. HIP+A is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 4 conditionsHide
| Condition · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness | Conductivity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
As fabricated | Cheapest condition for lightly loaded or non-fracture-critical castings where porosity is tolerable. | 820 | 895 | 5 | 305 HB | — |
Solution annealed | Use when residual stresses from casting/welding must be removed but HIP is not specified. | 835 | 910 | 6 | 31 HRC | 1.1 % IACS |
Hot isostatic pressed | Closes internal shrinkage porosity; choose for fatigue-loaded or pressure-tight castings. | 850 | 930 | 8 | 31 HRC | 1.1 % IACS |
HIP+ADefault Hot isostatic pressed then annealed | Standard aerospace delivery condition: densified plus stress-relieved, best combination of strength and ductility. | 860 | 940 | 9 | 31 HRC | — |
What is VT20L?
VT20L is a near-alpha titanium casting alloy of the Ti-Al-Zr-Mo-V type, compositionally close to ZTA15, supplied as investment castings in as-cast (F), annealed (A), HIP and HIP+A conditions. Engineers select it for aerospace structural castings that need elevated-temperature strength with weldability: 860 MPa yield, 940 MPa tensile, 9% elongation, 296 HB (31 HRC) and service to 500 °C. Machinability is low (score 20) and the alpha case must be chemically removed before finish cuts; tooling and vacuum melting make short runs expensive. Where a wrought part is practical, Ti-6Al-4V bar or plate is the nearest alternative. VT20L has a density of 4.45 g/cm³ (0.161 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of titanium grades. It melts at 1,600°C (2,912 °F). VT20L has a yield strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) and a tensile strength of 940 MPa (136 ksi) — stronger than 71% of titanium grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 112 GPa (16.2 Msi).
What is VT20L used for?
- aircraft structural castings
- engine components
- high-temperature airframe fittings
Advantages
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 94% of titanium grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 9%, worse than 97% of titanium grades
- Limited formability — 15/100, worse than 93% of titanium grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 1.1 % IACS, worse than 78% of titanium grades
VT20L properties
Typical room-temperature values for VT20L-HIP+A; bars are the position among titanium grades.
Physical3
VT20L has a density of 4.45 g/cm³ (0.161 lb/in³), lighter than 81% of titanium grades. It melts at 1,600°C (2,912 °F).
Mechanical16
VT20L has a yield strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) and a tensile strength of 940 MPa (136 ksi) — stronger than 71% of titanium grades. Elongation at break is 9% and the elastic modulus is 112 GPa (16.2 Msi).
Thermal6
VT20L is rated for continuous service to 500°C (932 °F). It conducts heat at 7 W/m·K (4.04 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of titanium grades. Thermal expansion is 8.6 µm/m·K (4.78 µin/in·°F).
Electrical3
VT20L conducts electricity at 1.1 % IACS, worse than 78% of titanium grades.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is excellent (90/100), worse than 63% of titanium grades.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of VT20L takes about 700 MJ of energy and emits 40 kg of CO₂ — more than 74% of titanium grades. Typical recycled content is 35%.
Manufacturability8
VT20L's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 68% of titanium grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability poor (15/100).
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. VT20L is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with VT20L
Is VT20L easy to machine?
Low speed (20–40 m/min carbide), heavy positive rake, rigid setup and flood coolant; remove the alpha case by chemical milling before finish cuts to avoid tool chipping.
Can VT20L be welded?
Good GTAW/EBW/plasma weldability typical of the VT20/TA15 family; requires full argon or vacuum shielding, clean joints and post-weld vacuum stress relief at ~750–800 °C.
Can VT20L be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as investment castings in graphite or rammed-yttria/zirconia moulds with vacuum induction/skull melting; design ≥3 mm walls and generous fillets, HIP after casting for fatigue-critical parts.
VT20L 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Alprimary alpha strengthener | 5.5 – 7 | 6.3 |
| Zr | 1.5 – 2.5 | 2 |
| Mobeta stabiliser | 0.5 – 2 | 1.2 |
| Vbeta stabiliser | 0.8 – 2.5 | 1.5 |
| Feimpurity | ≤ 0.25 | |
| Siimpurity | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Cimpurity | ≤ 0.1 | |
| Oimpurity | ≤ 0.15 | |
| Nimpurity | ≤ 0.05 | |
| Himpurity | ≤ 0.02 | |
| Ti | balance |
What surface finishes work on VT20L?
Grit blast plus chemical milling (HF-HNO₃) to strip alpha case, then optional anodizing, ion nitriding or dry-film lube; avoid mercury/cadmium contact and chloride-bearing paint strippers.
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 VT20L in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Similar grades
- ZTA15
How much does VT20L cost?
VT20L 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.
VT20L — frequently asked
What is VT20L used for?
VT20L is typically used for aircraft structural castings, engine components and high-temperature airframe fittings. In short: weldable titanium casting alloy; 500 °C service castings; near-alpha, HIP-capable.
What is the yield strength of VT20L?
VT20L has a typical yield strength of 860 MPa (125 ksi) and a tensile strength of 940 MPa (136 ksi) — stronger than 71% of titanium grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is VT20L easy to machine?
Not especially — machinability is rated poor (20/100, worse than 68% of titanium grades). Low speed (20–40 m/min carbide), heavy positive rake, rigid setup and flood coolant; remove the alpha case by chemical milling before finish cuts to avoid tool chipping.
Can VT20L be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated very good (75/100). Good GTAW/EBW/plasma weldability typical of the VT20/TA15 family; requires full argon or vacuum shielding, clean joints and post-weld vacuum stress relief at ~750–800 °C.
What surface finishes work on VT20L?
Grit blast plus chemical milling (HF-HNO₃) to strip alpha case, then optional anodizing, ion nitriding or dry-film lube; avoid mercury/cadmium contact and chloride-bearing paint strippers.
Can VT20L be formed, bent or molded?
Supplied as investment castings in graphite or rammed-yttria/zirconia moulds with vacuum induction/skull melting; design ≥3 mm walls and generous fillets, HIP after casting for fatigue-critical parts.
What is the maximum service temperature of VT20L?
VT20L 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 VT20L HIP+A and VT20L-F?
HIP+A is the default condition — standard aerospace delivery condition: densified plus stress-relieved, best combination of strength and ductility. F: cheapest condition for lightly loaded or non-fracture-critical castings where porosity is tolerable. Yield strength is 860 MPa in HIP+A versus 820 MPa in F.
How much does VT20L cost?
VT20L 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
- GB/T 6614 (ZTA15) — SAC (2014)
- OST 1 90060 / ГОСТ 19807 — титановые сплавы ВТ20, ВТ20Л — Gosstandart (1991)
- ASM Handbook Vol. 2: Properties and Selection — Nonferrous Alloys (Titanium) — ASM International (1990)
- Materials Properties Handbook: Titanium Alloys — ASM International (1994)
- Cast titanium alloy ZTA15 investment casting data — Chinese Ti foundry datasheets ( / ) (2023)
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.