Titanium Vs Stainless Steel: The Complete Difference

Titanium and stainless steel are widely used metal materials in various industries, known for their superior high strength and corrosion resistance.In this article, we will delve into the specific differences between titanium and stainless steel, so that you can quickly determine which material is more suitable for your project!

Difference between titanium and stainless steel:

1.Chemical Composition

Titanium is the primary constituent of titanium alloys, which typically contain small amounts of other metal elements such as aluminum, iron, vanadium, magnesium, etc., to adjust their performance and characteristics.

The main constituent element of stainless steel is iron, accounting for 60-70% of its composition. Chromium follows, typically comprising over 10%, and is the fundamental element determining the corrosion resistance of stainless steel. Nickel is also an important alloying element in stainless steel, contributing to its corrosion resistance. Stainless steel may also contain other trace metal elements such as molybdenum, manganese, silicon, etc., to adjust its hardness, strength, and corrosion resistance.

2. Density and Weight

The density of titanium alloys is generally around 4.51 g/cm³, only 60% of that of steel, with high strength. Stainless steel, on the other hand, has a density ranging from 7.8 g/cm³ to 8.0 g/cm³. Due to the lower density of titanium alloys compared to stainless steel, titanium alloys are lighter and stronger than stainless steel for the same volume. They are mainly used in fields where lightweight, high strength, and corrosion resistance are required. Therefore, they are commonly used to manufacture high-strength components and structures, making them lighter in weight. Stainless steel, meanwhile, finds wide application across various fields including construction, automotive, medical, and more.

3.Melting Point

The melting point of titanium alloys is approximately 1660°C, higher than that of stainless steel, giving them higher heat resistance. Stainless steel typically has a melting point above 1400°C, depending on the specific grade. Titanium's significantly higher melting point and strong heat resistance make it well-suited for applications requiring extreme temperatures. Due to its high strength, corrosion resistance, and low density, titanium alloys find extensive use in the aerospace industry.

4.Hardness

Stainless steel generally has higher hardness compared to titanium. The Brinell hardness of titanium typically ranges between 70 to 350 HBW, whereas the hardness of stainless steel varies depending on the alloy composition and heat treatment conditions, usually falling between 150 to 400 HBW. The lower Brinell hardness of titanium is one of the reasons why titanium metal is difficult to machine.

5.Elasticity

The elastic modulus of titanium is approximately 116 GPa, while the elastic modulus of stainless steel typically ranges between 190 to 220 GPa. This gives stainless steel good elasticity and rigidity characteristics, making it suitable for structural engineering applications and other fields.

6.Thermal Conductivity

The thermal conductivity of titanium is relatively low, with a coefficient λ of approximately 15.24 W/(m·K), which is about one-fourth that of nickel, one-fifth that of iron, and one-fourteenth that of aluminum. The thermal conductivity of various titanium alloys decreases by about 50% compared to pure titanium.

On the other hand, the thermal conductivity of stainless steel is temperature-dependent. Below 600°C, the thermal conductivity of various stainless steels typically ranges from 10 to 30 W/(m·K). Generally, stainless steel has a higher thermal conductivity than titanium. Therefore, stainless steel is often used in applications that require good thermal conductivity.

7.Corrosion Resistance

Titanium exhibits high corrosion resistance, lightweight properties, and below 550°C, titanium alloys tend to form a dense oxide film, which prevents further oxidation, making them highly resistant to corrosion from acidic and alkaline mediums. Additionally, titanium alloys are more resistant to heat and cold compared to stainless steel. With excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, titanium alloys can be used in more severe environments.

Stainless steel, on the other hand, boasts good resistance to corrosion fatigue and wear-corrosion, high strength, fatigue strength, low susceptibility to thermal cracking, higher thermal conductivity compared to austenitic stainless steel, low coefficient of linear expansion, and is suitable for manufacturing heat exchanger tube cores.

8.Electrical Conductivity

Stainless steel typically has a higher electrical conductivity than titanium. The electrical conductivity of stainless steel generally ranges between 1.0 × 10^6 to 1.45 × 10^6 S/m, whereas pure titanium has an electrical conductivity of approximately 3.0 × 10^5 S/m. Under the same conditions, stainless steel exhibits stronger electrical conductivity compared to titanium. If considering only electrical conductivity, metals such as copper and aluminum have higher conductivity than titanium and stainless steel, making them more suitable for applications requiring high conductivity.

9.Color

Indeed, titanium has a cooler hue compared to stainless steel, appearing slightly darker. Under sunlight or specific lighting conditions, titanium may exhibit a subtle bluish-purple tint. Stainless steel, on the other hand, is silver-white, often with a slightly grayish or slightly yellowish tone. The relative contrast between the two colors is noticeable.

10.Price

Titanium alloys are more expensive than stainless steel. The production and processing costs of titanium alloys are high due to the need for higher temperatures, advanced technology, and more expensive materials. Therefore, titanium alloys may be more suitable for applications requiring high strength and lightweight materials in harsh environments.

However, in situations where lower strength and general corrosion resistance are sufficient, stainless steel may be a better choice. Of course, the selection of the most appropriate material should be based on comprehensive considerations of specific requirements and conditions.

Summary

Through the above comparative analysis of titanium and stainless steel, we hope to help you better understand which material is more suitable for your project. If you have any further questions, our experienced professional team is always available to assist you. Please feel free to contact us anytime, and you can also email us with your drawings for further communication.