Titanium Fabrication

Titanium fabrication is a specialty discipline requiring equipment, procedures, and expertise that most general fabrication shops do not possess. The material's exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility justify its premium cost for aerospace, medical, marine, and chemical processing applications. The most common fabrication grades are commercially pure (CP) titanium Grades 1-4 for corrosion resistance applications, and Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) for high-strength aerospace structural components. Titanium is reactive at elevated temperatures, requiring meticulous inert gas shielding during welding, including trailing shields and back purge. Even fingerprints can contaminate weld areas. When seeking titanium fabrication services, verify the shop's specific titanium experience rather than accepting general metalworking capabilities. Look for shops with dedicated titanium areas, qualified welding procedures with demonstrated radiographic quality, and experience with your specific grade and application. AS9100 and NADCAP accreditation are important for aerospace titanium work.