Titanium VT20L-A (Solution annealed)
Temper
GB VT20L
Use when residual stresses from casting/welding must be removed but HIP is not specified.
Values for the A condition
Other VT20L tempers and conditions
VT20L is listed in 4 conditions; see the grade overview at VT20L.
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 | — |
AThis page 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-A?
VT20L-A is VT20L in the A temper — use when residual stresses from casting/welding must be removed but HIP is not specified. VT20L-A has a yield strength of 835 MPa (121 ksi) and a tensile strength of 910 MPa (132 ksi) — stronger than 63% of titanium grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 112 GPa (16.2 Msi). VT20L-A 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). HIP+A is the default condition FabDigit quotes; A is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- High service temperature — 500°C (932 °F), better than 94% of titanium grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 6%, worse than 100% of titanium grades
- Limited formability — 12/100, worse than 97% of titanium grades
- Low electrical conductivity — 1.1 % IACS, worse than 78% of titanium grades
VT20L-A properties
Typical room-temperature values for VT20L-A; 22 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are VT20L reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among titanium grades.
Physical3
VT20L-A 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-A has a yield strength of 835 MPa (121 ksi) and a tensile strength of 910 MPa (132 ksi) — stronger than 63% of titanium grades. Elongation at break is 6% and the elastic modulus is 112 GPa (16.2 Msi).
Thermal6
VT20L-A 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-A 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-A 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-A's machinability is poor (20/100, worse than 68% of titanium grades); weldability very good (75/100); formability not recommended (12/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with VT20L-A
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.
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.
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 | — |
VT20L-A — frequently asked
What is VT20L-A used for?
VT20L-A 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-A?
VT20L-A has a typical yield strength of 835 MPa (121 ksi) and a tensile strength of 910 MPa (132 ksi) — stronger than 63% of titanium grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 4 listed tempers.
Is VT20L-A 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-A 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-A?
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-A 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-A?
VT20L-A 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.