Yes, titanium can be CNC machined, and it is routinely turned, milled, and Swiss-machined into aerospace, defense, medical-style, and industrial components. It requires rigid setups, sharp carbide tooling, reduced cutting speeds, and ample coolant, which is why titanium parts cost more than the same geometry in aluminum or steel.
Engineers ask whether you can machine titanium because the metal has a reputation for being difficult. It is demanding, but it is predictable when the shop has the right equipment and process discipline. Wexmar machines titanium on our lathes, horizontal machining centers, and Swiss machines in Canastota, New York.
Can you machine titanium? Why it is harder than steel
Titanium's properties make it attractive for design and demanding on the shop floor:
- Low thermal conductivity. Heat stays at the cutting edge instead of leaving with the chip, which shortens tool life.
- Low modulus. Titanium is springy, so thin walls and long slender parts can deflect and chatter.
- Chemical reactivity. At high temperatures titanium tends to gall and weld to the tool.
- Chip hazards. Fine titanium chips and dust are flammable, so chip control and housekeeping matter.
The practical result is lower surface speeds than steel, consistent feed rates to avoid rubbing, sharp tools replaced on a schedule, and high-volume coolant directed at the cut.
Titanium grades we machine
| Grade | Composition | Typical uses | Machining notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 2 | Commercially pure | Corrosion-resistant fittings, process equipment | Softer, gummier, requires sharp tools |
| Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | Alpha-beta alloy | Aerospace, defense, structural, fasteners | Widely used alloy, strong, heat-sensitive at the edge |
| Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) | Low-interstitial Grade 5 | Medical-style and fracture-critical parts | Machines similarly to Grade 5 |
| Grade 9 (Ti-3Al-2.5V) | Alpha-beta alloy | Tubing, lightweight hardware | Easier to machine than Grade 5 |
How Wexmar machines titanium
Titanium turned parts run on our CNC lathes, which include Mazak Nexus and Multiplex machines and Doosan Lynx lathes with live tooling and Y-axis. Milled features, cross holes, and flats can be finished in the same setup, which avoids a second fixturing. See CNC turning.
Prismatic titanium parts run on our horizontal machining centers for 3- and 4-axis milling. Horizontal spindles let chips fall away from the cut, which reduces recutting, a common cause of heat and tool wear in titanium.
Small-diameter titanium parts up to 32 mm, such as pins, screws, and precision shafts, run on our four Maier Swiss-type machines. The guide bushing supports the bar close to the tool, which helps with titanium's tendency to deflect. See Swiss machining.
Material traceability and sourcing
Titanium parts for aerospace and defense typically require mill certifications and heat-lot traceability. Wexmar keeps material certs with each job and can supply them with the shipment. DFARS 252.225-7009 compliant specialty metals sourcing is available when your contract requires it. Titanium is a specialty metal under that clause, so this is worth confirming at the RFQ stage.
Finishing and inspection for titanium parts
Many titanium parts ship bare. When a finish is required, such as passivation, anodize for color coding, or a stress relief, it is performed through qualified outside processors and Wexmar manages the routing. Titanium's springiness also affects inspection: thin features can move when clamped, so critical dimensions are measured in a free state where the drawing requires it. Parts are inspected on Brown and Sharpe CMMs and an optical comparator under an ISO 9001:2015-aligned quality system, with CMM reports and AS9102 first article inspection available. Gage calibration is ISO/IEC 17025-aligned and our CMMs are NIST-traceable, which supports the documentation aerospace and defense buyers typically request for titanium hardware.
What drives titanium machining cost
- Material price per pound, often several times that of stainless
- Slower cutting speeds and longer cycle times
- Higher tool consumption
- Traceability and certification requirements
- Outside processes, such as passivation or heat treat, performed through qualified outside processors
Design tips for titanium parts
- Avoid very thin walls and long unsupported features where possible
- Use generous internal radii so tools are not buried in corners
- Apply tight tolerances only to functional features
- Specify the grade and condition, such as Grade 5 annealed, per the applicable material spec
- State whether mill certs or DFARS compliance is required
Getting a quote
To price a titanium part, upload a drawing for an instant estimate. The AI estimator returns a preliminary range, and a Wexmar estimator confirms material, sourcing, and price before any firm quote. Call (315) 400-2654 to discuss titanium grades and certification needs.