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ASTM B348
ASTM B348 — Titanium & Titanium Alloy Bars, Billets, Forgings & Rings
Overview
ASTM B348 defines the requirements for titanium and titanium alloy bars, billets, forgings, and rings, covering chemical composition, mechanical properties, heat treatment, dimensional tolerances, surface finish, testing, and marking/packaging. When aerospace, medical, marine, or corrosive-service titanium is required, ASTM B348 is the trusted baseline procurement standard.
Why Engineers Specify ASTM B348
Traceable quality → strict chemistry limits and lot-based mechanical testing
Performance across grades → CP Grades (1–4), Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5), and ELI (Grade 23) for medical use
Global mill compatibility → harmonized production and inspection practices
Downstream ready → supports machining, forming, welding, heat treatment, and special processing
Covered Product Forms
Bars: round, square, hex
Billets / forging stock for open/closed-die forgings
Forgings & flash-welded rings for near-net and rotating hardware
Typical Chemistry Snapshots (Quick Reference)
Final acceptance per purchase order/spec & MTR; below are common targets.
| Grade | Key Chemistry Notes | Typical Use |
|---|---|---|
| Grade 2 (CP Ti) | Low interstitials; Fe ≤ ~0.30%, O ≤ ~0.25% | High ductility & corrosion resistance |
| Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | Al 5.5–6.75% | V 3.5–4.5% | Fe ≤ 0.30% | O ≤ 0.20% | C ≤ 0.08% | N ≤ 0.05% | H low ppm | Ti balance | Aerospace & high-strength structures |
| Grade 23 (ELI) | Same as Gr 5 with extra-low interstitials (ELI) for toughness | Medical implants & surgical devices |
Tip: When a print calls for ASTM B348 Gr 5 bar, it means Ti-6Al-4V delivered to B348 requirements.
Mechanical Property Ranges (Guide Only)
Values vary with grade, size, and condition—use MTR values for design.
CP Grades (1–4): high ductility, moderate strength
Grade 5 (annealed): UTS ≈ 130 ksi, YS ≈ 120 ksi, elongation ~10%
Grade 23 (ELI): similar strength to Gr 5 with improved fracture toughness
Dimensional Tolerances & Surface
ASTM B348 defines allowable size variation and out-of-round/out-of-square limits by nominal size range. Surface finish and defect removal requirements protect fatigue life and machining performance. Premium straightness and polishing can be supplied when specified on the PO.
Testing & Certification
Chemistry: heat/lot analysis vs grade limits
Mechanical: tensile testing (UTS, YS, elongation)
Micro/Macro: structure & contamination control for titanium
NDT when required: ultrasonic inspection for critical service
Documentation: full MTRs, lot traceability, marking & packaging per spec
Applications
Aerospace: fasteners, fittings, rings, lugs, actuator parts
Medical: Grade 23 ELI implant components and surgical tools
Marine/Chemical: seawater-exposed hardware, corrosion-resistant assemblies
Industrial/Performance: drives, suspension links, high-strength shafts
Grade Selection Guide
| Use Case | Recommended Grade | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Max corrosion, high ductility | Gr 2 (CP Ti) | Easy to form & weld, excellent corrosion resistance |
| High-strength structural | Gr 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | Workhorse strength-to-weight alloy |
| Medical implants | Gr 23 (ELI) | Extra-low interstitials → improved toughness & biocompatibility |
| Higher-strength CP option | Gr 3 / Gr 4 | More strength than Gr 2 with CP corrosion profile |
Fabrication Notes
Machining: treat like austenitic stainless (sharp tools, coolant, moderate speeds; avoid galling & work hardening)
Welding: GTAW/EB with inert shielding & strict cleanliness; back-purge recommended
Forming/Forging: control temperature for alpha-beta phases; avoid oxygen pickup
ASTM B348 vs Related Specifications
| Spec | Scope | Where It Fits |
|---|---|---|
| ASTM B348 | Bars, billets, forgings, rings (multi-grade) | Baseline procurement for long products & near-net hardware |
| ASTM B265 | Sheet, plate, strip | Flat-rolled route for plate/sheet products |
| AMS 4928 / AMS 6931 / AMS 6930 | Aerospace-focused forms & heat-treat conditions | Use when a specific AMS print/condition is mandatory |
| ASTM F136 / F1472 | Medical / implant grades (ELI alloys) | Regulated medical/surgical applications |
Titanium Metals specializes in high-quality titanium materials and components for critical industries. Every product is manufactured with precision, tested for strength, corrosion resistance, and purity.
We deliver premium-grade titanium metals engineered for high performance and long-term reliability. Every product is manufactured with strict quality controls, precise dimensions, and flawless finishing to match international standards.
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