Titanium and stainless steel are both corrosion-resistant, strong materials. They’re utilised across all kinds of industries for various applications, including as tubes. Each comes with its own range of alloys as well. Picking between them can be difficult. So, we are going to discuss them in detail here. This will help you get a better grasp on what they have to offer so you can make a more educated decision about which to choose. Then, if you want services like tube ring rolling for either of them, we can help.
An overview of the metals
Let’s start by giving an overview of the two. Stainless steel alloys have about 70% iron and 10-30% chromium. Chromium’s inclusion offers it the ability to withstand temperature changes and resist corrosion. You can add other elements such as copper, molybdenum, and nickel, to further increase corrosion resistance and other qualities. Some alloys even feature titanium to address intergranular corrosion.
Titanium is a metal known for its corrosion resistance and strength. Alloys work wonders at conducting heat. Furthermore, they possess a high strength-to-weight ratio. Due to this, they are lightweight whilst still being strong. Such a mix is perfect for various industries. Titanium is very resistant to corrosion. It can withstand industrial chemicals, natural waters, alkalis, and acids.
Differences
These are two of the world’s most widely used materials. However, they have crucial differences that make them work for individual applications. Think carefully about them before deciding what to use. If you need tube ring rolling, we can help.
One way they differ is in nature. Titanium is available as a pure metal as well as alloys, while stainless steel is an alloy. With element composition, titanium is always a high percentage of any grade. It then can feature different levels of elements like carbon and nitrogen. Stainless steel is mainly iron with 11% chromium at least and other elements such as nickel.
For corrosion resistance, titanium is almost unbeatable. It makes it a better choice in harsh environments. Stainless steel is corrosion resistant too, but not as much.
Electrical conductivity is another area where they differ. Both are bad electrical conductors, with stainless steel conducting it slightly better.
With thermal conductivity, titanium doesn’t conduct heat as well compared to stainless steel. Melting points are different between them too. Titanium’s is slightly higher, making it more heat-resistant.
Stainless steel is generally harder if you compare to titanium. Yet, titanium is more likely to deform instead of cracking under pressure. The steel can struggle with stress corrosion cracking if there is pressure and a corrosive environment.
Last up here is density. Titanium is far lighter than stainless steel, weighing roughly 40% less. Although, it provides similar strength. Due to this, it’s perfect for applications where weight is important. It is especially good for light tubing, and services like tube ring rolling can adapt it effectively.
Conclusion
Both materials have their distinct advantages. Stainless steel is typically easier and cheaper to weld and shape. What’s more, it has greater resistance to fatigue and scratches. On the other side, titanium has more strength when temperatures shift and is lighter. Furthermore, it is non-toxic and ideal for medical devices.
Choosing between the materials depends on the application. Titanium is stronger by weight and works better in extreme temperatures. Thus, it’s ideal for aerospace and medical applications. Stainless steel is easier to work with, more affordable, and a better choice for general, everyday uses.
Expert tube ring rolling
At Multiform Tubes Engineering Ltd, our focus is on offering top tier products and customer service. With the likes of ring rolling, we can offer you versatile components for numerous applications.
So, if you’re interested in working with us, please get in touch. We can even offer suggestions if you are unsure about working with titanium or stainless steel.