Grade 1, 2, 4, 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) & 7 (Pd-stabilised). ASTM B381 / B363, ASME B16.5 / B16.47. The ultimate corrosion-resistant flange material for chloride environments, oxidising acids, desalination, pharmaceutical, and aerospace — where stainless steel fails. 45% lighter than steel. Exporting to 65+ countries for 30+ years.
Titanium flanges represent the pinnacle of corrosion engineering for piping systems. Titanium forms an extremely stable, self-repairing titanium dioxide (TiO₂) passive film that provides immunity to a remarkable range of corrosive media — including seawater, wet chlorine, nitric acid, hypochlorite solutions, and hot chloride brines — where even the best grades of stainless steel and nickel alloys can fail through pitting, crevice corrosion, or stress corrosion cracking.
Tesco Steel & Engineering manufactures titanium flanges in Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 4, Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V), and Grade 7 (Pd-stabilised) to ASTM B381 / ASME SB381 (forgings) and ASTM B363 / ASME SB363 (fittings), dimensioned to ASME B16.5, B16.47, EN 1092-1, and DIN standards. All flange types available: weld neck, blind, slip-on, socket weld, lap joint, threaded, long weld neck, and spectacle blind.
At a density of only 4.51 g/cm³ — 45% lighter than carbon steel — titanium flanges reduce structural load in weight-critical offshore and aerospace applications while delivering service lives measured in decades with virtually zero maintenance.
Commercially pure (CP) titanium with lowest oxygen content. Best formability and cold-working. Highest corrosion resistance among CP grades. UTS: 240 MPa. Used in extremely aggressive corrosion environments where strength is secondary.
View Grade 1 →The industry workhorse — best balance of strength (UTS: 345 MPa) and corrosion resistance. Excellent weldability. Specified for chemical processing, desalination, marine piping, and heat exchanger connections worldwide. Most stocked grade.
View Grade 2 →Highest strength of the commercially pure grades. UTS: 550 MPa, YS: 483 MPa. Higher oxygen content provides strength at the cost of slightly reduced ductility. Used where CP Ti corrosion resistance is needed at higher pressures.
View Grade 4 →6% Aluminium, 4% Vanadium alloy. The most widely used titanium alloy globally. UTS: 895 MPa — nearly 3× stronger than Grade 2. Used in aerospace structural components, high-pressure vessels, and applications requiring maximum strength-to-weight ratio.
View Grade 5 →Grade 2 + 0.12–0.25% Palladium. The most corrosion-resistant titanium grade commercially available. Pd addition eliminates crevice attack and extends resistance into hot reducing acids (H₂SO₄, HCl) where Grade 2 fails. Premium chemical processing specification.
View Grade 7 →Titanium grades are differentiated primarily by oxygen content (which controls strength) and alloying additions. Interstitial elements — O, N, C, H, Fe — are strictly controlled as they dramatically affect toughness and corrosion performance.
| Element | Gr. 1 | Gr. 2 | Gr. 4 | Gr. 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | Gr. 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Titanium (Ti) | Balance | Balance | Balance | Balance (~89%) | Balance |
| Oxygen (O) max | 0.18% | 0.25% | 0.40% | 0.20% | 0.25% |
| Nitrogen (N) max | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.03% |
| Carbon (C) max | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% |
| Hydrogen (H) max | 0.015% | 0.015% | 0.015% | 0.015% | 0.015% |
| Iron (Fe) max | 0.20% | 0.30% | 0.50% | 0.40% | 0.30% |
| Aluminium (Al) | — | — | — | 5.5 – 6.75% | — |
| Vanadium (V) | — | — | — | 3.5 – 4.5% | — |
| Palladium (Pd) | — | — | — | — | 0.12 – 0.25% |
* Oxygen content is the primary variable controlling strength in commercially pure grades (Gr.1–4). Higher O = higher strength, lower ductility.
| Property | Grade 1 | Grade 2 ✦ | Grade 4 | Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | Grade 7 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UTS (min) | 240 MPa (35 ksi) | 345 MPa (50 ksi) | 550 MPa (80 ksi) | 895 MPa (130 ksi) | 345 MPa (50 ksi) |
| Yield Strength (min) | 170 MPa (25 ksi) | 275 MPa (40 ksi) | 483 MPa (70 ksi) | 828 MPa (120 ksi) | 275 MPa (40 ksi) |
| Elongation (min) | 24% | 20% | 15% | 10% | 20% |
| Density | 4.51 g/cm³ — 45% lighter than carbon steel (7.85 g/cm³) | ||||
| Melting Point | ~1668°C (CP grades) | ~1668°C | |||
| Max Service Temp | ~315°C | ~315°C | ~315°C | ~315–370°C | ~315°C |
| Alloy Type | CP (Alpha) | CP (Alpha) | CP (Alpha) | Alpha-Beta Alloy | CP (Alpha) + Pd |
| Best For | Max corrosion resistance, formability | General-purpose chemical / marine | High pressure CP service | Aerospace, structural, max strength | Aggressive reducing acid service |
| Parameter | Titanium Gr.2 | SS 316L | Hastelloy C276 | Cu-Ni 90/10 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Seawater Corrosion | Outstanding (immune) | Good (crevice risk) | Excellent | Excellent |
| Hot Concentrated Chloride Brine | Outstanding (immune) | Fails (SCC risk) | Very good | Limited |
| Wet Chlorine / Hypochlorite | Outstanding | Moderate | Good | Poor |
| Oxidising Acids (HNO₃) | Outstanding | Good | Poor | Poor |
| Reducing Acids (HCl, H₂SO₄) | Poor (Gr.2) / Good (Gr.7) | Poor | Excellent | Poor |
| Stress Corrosion Cracking (Cl⁻) | Immune | Susceptible | Immune | Immune |
| Biofouling Resistance | Poor | Poor | Poor | Excellent |
| Density | 4.51 g/cm³ (lightest) | 7.98 g/cm³ | 8.89 g/cm³ | 8.90 g/cm³ |
| Tensile Strength | 345 MPa | 515 MPa | 790 MPa | ~275 MPa |
| Max. Service Temp | ~315°C | ~450°C | ~1040°C | ~232°C |
| Relative Cost | High | Moderate | Very High | Moderate |
| Specify When | Chloride media, hot brines, oxidising acids, weight-critical applications | General corrosion, moderate chloride, elevated temperature | Reducing acids, mixed acid service, H₂S | Seawater piping, biofouling control |
The single most critical advantage over austenitic stainless steel. Titanium is completely immune to chloride-induced stress corrosion cracking (SCC) — the failure mode that destroys 304/316 stainless steel in hot seawater and chloride brine above 60°C. In desalination and offshore service, titanium eliminates the SCC risk entirely.
Titanium's protective oxide layer reforms almost instantaneously when damaged — even in the presence of chlorides. This self-healing behaviour provides reliable corrosion protection in dynamic service conditions (flow, erosion, mechanical contact) where passive films on lesser alloys would degrade.
Titanium's density of 4.51 g/cm³ is 45% of steel's 7.85 g/cm³. On weight-critical offshore topsides, FPSO vessels, naval ships, and aerospace structures, titanium flanges deliver the same or better corrosion performance at a fraction of the structural weight penalty.
Titanium is non-toxic, non-allergenic, and fully biocompatible — the only metal widely accepted for permanent implantation in the human body. Grade 2 titanium flanges are specified in pharmaceutical API synthesis reactors, bioprocessing systems, and food-grade applications where metallic contamination is unacceptable.
Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) delivers 895 MPa UTS at just 4.43 g/cm³ — a specific strength (strength/density) higher than any common engineering steel. This makes Grade 5 titanium the defining material for aerospace structural components and high-performance pressure system connections.
Properly specified titanium piping systems have been documented in continuous service for 40+ years in desalination plants, chemical plants, and naval vessels with no corrosion-related maintenance. The total life-cycle cost is highly competitive versus materials requiring regular replacement or coating maintenance.
| Flange Type | Application Notes — Titanium Service | Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Weld Neck (WNRF) | Preferred for high-pressure chemical and desalination service. Smooth bore transition reduces turbulence and localised corrosion. Most reliable geometry for full-penetration titanium welds. | ASME B16.5 / B16.47 |
| Slip-On (SORF) | Lower pressure chemical processing connections. Used where precise bore alignment is not critical. Fillet weld is acceptable when inert atmosphere welding is maintained throughout. | ASME B16.5 |
| Blind Flange | End closures on acid reactors, heat exchangers, and storage vessels. Titanium blind flanges provide corrosion-immune closure on aggressive service equipment. | ASME B16.5 / B16.47 |
| Socket Weld (SWRF) | Small-bore instrument connections in chemical and pharmaceutical plants. Requires full argon purge inside socket; crevice between socket and pipe must be considered for Grade 7 service. | ASME B16.5 |
| Lap Joint (LJRF) | Used with titanium stub ends on systems requiring frequent disassembly for cleaning or inspection. Common in pharmaceutical bioreactor and food-processing piping. | ASME B16.5 |
| Threaded Flange | Instrument connections in chemical plants; no welding. Note: titanium threads can gall — use approved anti-galling lubricants and ensure compatible mating material. | ASME B16.5 |
| Long Weld Neck (LWN) | Nozzle connections on titanium-lined pressure vessels, reactors, and heat exchanger shells in aggressive chemical service. | ASME B16.5 / MSS SP-44 |
| Spectacle Blind / Spade | Positive isolation of titanium process lines during maintenance. Used in chlor-alkali, desalination, and pharmaceutical plant turnarounds. | ASME B16.48 |
| Material Standards | ASTM B381 / ASME SB381 (Titanium Forgings); ASTM B363 / ASME SB363 (Titanium Fittings) |
| Grades Available | Grade 1 (R50250), Grade 2 (R50400), Grade 4 (R50700), Grade 5 / Ti-6Al-4V (R56400), Grade 7 (R52400) |
| Size Range | ½″ NB to 24″ NB (DN 15 to DN 600) — larger sizes on request |
| Pressure Classes (ASME B16.5) | Class 150, 300, 600, 900, 1500, 2500 |
| Large Diameter (ASME B16.47) | Series A & B — Class 75 to 900 (NPS 26″–60″) |
| Dimensional Standards | ASME B16.5, ASME B16.47, MSS SP-44, EN 1092-1, DIN 2627–2638 |
| Facing Types | Raised Face (RF), Flat Face (FF), Ring Type Joint (RTJ), Tongue & Groove (T&G) |
| Testing & Inspection | Chemical analysis (OES), tensile testing, hardness, PMI (XRF), dimensional inspection, visual inspection (MSS SP-55) |
| Welding Filler (GTAW) | ERTi-1 (Gr.1), ERTi-2 (Gr.2), ERTi-4 (Gr.4), ERTi-5 (Gr.5), ERTi-7 (Gr.7) — AWS A5.16 |
| Material Certification | EN 10204 Type 3.1 / Type 3.2 (third-party witnessed) |
| Third-Party Inspection | Bureau Veritas, Lloyds Register, TÜVR, SGS, Intertek — on request |
| Grade | UNS | Key Feature | ASTM B381 Page | ASTM B363 Page |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | R50250 | Most ductile, max formability | Gr.1 → | B363 Gr.1 → |
| Grade 2 | R50400 | Most widely used CP Ti | Gr.2 → | B363 Gr.2 → |
| Grade 4 | R50700 | Highest strength CP Ti | Gr.4 → | B363 Gr.4 → |
| Grade 5 | R56400 | Ti-6Al-4V; highest strength | Gr.5 → | B363 Gr.5 → |
| Grade 7 | R52400 | Pd-stabilised; max corrosion | Gr.7 → | B363 Gr.7 → |
| Industry | Grade Recommended | Typical Application |
|---|---|---|
| Desalination (SWRO / MSF / MED) | Grade 2 | Seawater intake headers, brine concentration lines, hot brine heat exchanger connections, evaporator nozzles |
| Chemical Processing | Gr.2 / Gr.7 | Nitric acid plant piping, chlor-alkali plant (wet chlorine service), hypochlorite systems, organic acid reactors, bleach plant connections |
| Offshore Oil & Gas | Grade 2 / Gr.5 | Topside seawater lift systems, fire suppression mains, subsea flowlines, wellhead connections, weight-critical structural flanges (Gr.5) |
| Power Generation (Condensers) | Grade 2 | Seawater-cooled steam condenser tube sheet connections, cooling water inlet/outlet flanges — immune to seawater corrosion and biofouling |
| Aerospace & Defence | Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | Aircraft hydraulic system connections, engine nacelle piping, fuel system flanges, military vehicle structural connections |
| Pharmaceutical & Biotech | Gr.2 / Gr.7 | API reactor nozzles, biocompatible process piping, sterile fluid handling, WFI (Water for Injection) system connections |
| Pulp & Paper (Bleach Plant) | Grade 2 / Gr.7 | Chlorine dioxide, sodium hypochlorite, and chlorinated liquor piping where stainless steel suffers rapid corrosion |
| Marine & Naval | Grade 2 | Submarine seawater systems, naval vessel heat exchanger connections, offshore platform HVAC cooling, diving equipment |
| Process | Filler Wire (AWS A5.16) | Critical Requirements |
|---|---|---|
| GTAW / TIG (only recommended process) | ERTi-1 (Gr.1), ERTi-2 (Gr.2), ERTi-4 (Gr.4), ERTi-5 (Gr.5), ERTi-7 (Gr.7) |
Torch shielding: 100% pure argon (≥99.998%), min 15–20 L/min Back purge: Argon inside pipe bore until weld cools below 427°C Trailing shield: Protects cooling weld bead — essential Weld colour: Must be bright silver. Straw = marginal; Gold/Blue/Grey = REJECT |
| Pre-weld Cleaning | — |
Degrease with acetone or methanol, allow to fully evaporate Use only stainless steel or titanium wire brushes (dedicated — never shared with other materials) Wear clean cotton or latex gloves — fingerprints contaminate the surface |
| Prohibited Practices | — |
Never weld near sulfur-bearing materials (markers, lubricants) Never use carbon steel tools or grinding discs on titanium Never weld titanium adjacent to copper, brass, or galvanised components Never use SMAW or FCAW processes for titanium piping |
| PWHT | — | Generally not required for CP grades. Grade 5 welds may require stress relief at 480–595°C in inert atmosphere for high-constraint joints. |
Grade 1, 2, 4, 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) & 7 — ASTM B381 / B363, all types, ASME B16.5 / B16.47. Welding qualification records (ERTi series, AWS A5.16) available on request.