The titanium vs stainless decision usually comes down to weight, corrosion environment and budget. Titanium, most often Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) or commercially pure Grade 2, offers high strength at about 55 to 60 percent of the density of steel and excellent corrosion resistance. Stainless steels such as 304, 316 and 17-4 PH are less expensive, easier to machine, stiffer and widely available. Titanium is worth its cost when weight or specific corrosion and biocompatibility requirements justify it.
Titanium vs Stainless: Comparison Table
Values are typical. Cost is a relative per-part index including material, where one 316 stainless part at quantity 1 equals 100.
| Factor | Titanium Ti-6Al-4V | Stainless 316 / 17-4 PH |
|---|---|---|
| Relative cost, qty 1 | 180 to 250 | 100 |
| Relative cost, qty 10 | 85 to 120 | 42 |
| Relative cost, qty 100 | 45 to 65 | 20 |
| Relative cost, qty 1,000 | 30 to 45 | 12 |
| Density | About 0.160 lb/in³ | About 0.28 to 0.29 lb/in³ |
| Tensile strength | About 130 to 140 ksi annealed | About 80 ksi (316) to 150+ ksi (17-4 aged) |
| Stiffness (modulus) | About 16 Msi | About 28 to 29 Msi |
| Typical machined tolerance | ±0.001 to ±0.003 in | ±0.0005 to ±0.002 in |
| Surface finish | Ra 32 to 63 µin | Ra 16 to 63 µin |
| Corrosion resistance | Excellent, including seawater and chlorides | Good to very good depending on grade |
| Lead time | Material may need sourcing; slower cycle times | Widely stocked; faster cycles |
| Typical use case | Aerospace, implants, marine, weight-critical parts | Industrial hardware, process equipment, valves, food and pharma |
When Titanium Wins
- Weight-critical parts. Titanium offers a high strength-to-weight ratio, which is why it is common in aerospace and motorsport.
- Seawater and chloride exposure. Titanium resists pitting and crevice corrosion where even 316 can struggle.
- Implants and biocompatibility. Ti-6Al-4V ELI and CP grades are standard for medical implants.
- Elevated temperatures. Titanium keeps useful strength to roughly 600 to 800°F depending on alloy.
When Stainless Wins
- Cost. Material and machining cost are substantially lower.
- Stiffness. Stainless is nearly twice as stiff, which matters for deflection-limited parts.
- Wear and galling. Hardened stainless grades such as 17-4 PH or 440C handle sliding contact better. Titanium galls readily without coatings.
- Short lead times. Stainless bar is widely stocked in most sizes.
Common Mistakes
- Specifying titanium to save weight on a part that is stiffness-limited. Titanium's lower modulus can require thicker sections that erase the savings.
- Using titanium threads against titanium threads without anti-galling compound or coating.
- Assuming all titanium is Grade 5. CP Grade 2 is softer, more formable and more corrosion resistant, but lower in strength.
- Underestimating machining time. Titanium is cut at lower surface speeds, and tool life is shorter, so cycle times are longer.
Machining Notes
Titanium conducts heat poorly, so heat concentrates at the cutting edge. Sharp tools, rigid setups, high-pressure coolant and consistent chip load are essential. Titanium chips can be a fire hazard, so shops manage chip collection carefully. Stainless work hardens but is more forgiving on tool life.
How This Applies at Wexmar
Wexmar machines titanium, stainless steels and high-nickel alloys on our CNC lathes, horizontal machining centers and Maier Swiss-type machines. Material certs and heat-lot traceability are available, and DFARS 252.225-7009 compliant specialty metals sourcing is available for defense work. See materials, industries we serve, and the guide on aluminum vs steel parts.
Getting a Quote
If you are comparing titanium and stainless on the same part, ask for both on the RFQ. You can upload a drawing for an instant estimate, confirmed by a human estimator, or call (315) 400-2654.