Titanium Powder for Additive Manufacturing
Everything you need to know about sourcing titanium alloy powders: Ti-6Al-4V, Grade 23 ELI, Ti5553, CP-Ti. Compare grades, PSD specs, production methods, pricing based on PS Price Index data, and find verified Chinese manufacturers.
1. Titanium Powder Grades — Which One Do You Need?
Titanium alloys dominate aerospace and medical additive manufacturing due to their exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, biocompatibility, and corrosion resistance. Selecting the right grade depends on your application requirements for tensile strength, elongation, and fatigue life.
| Grade | Composition | UTS (MPa) | Price (CNY/kg) | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TC4 / Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5 | Ti + 6% Al + 4% V | 950–1050 | ¥180–280 | Aerospace structural, turbine blades, automotive |
| Ti-6Al-4V Grade 23 ELI | Ti + 6% Al + 4% V (extra-low interstitial) | 860–965 | ¥220–350 | Medical implants, spinal cages, trauma plates |
| Ti5553 (Ti-5Al-5V-5Mo-3Cr) | Ti + 5Al + 5V + 5Mo + 3Cr | 1100–1250 | ¥280–450 | Landing gear, high-strength airframe |
| CP-Ti Grade 2 / TA2 | Commercially pure Ti | 345–450 | ¥350–500 | Chemical processing, heat exchangers |
2. PSD Specifications & Production Methods
Particle Size Distribution (PSD)
The PSD you need depends entirely on your printer technology. Titanium is reactive in fine powder form, so finer PSDs carry a safety premium.
| Technology | Recommended PSD | Layer Thickness |
|---|---|---|
| LPBF / SLM | 15–45µm or 15–53µm | 30–60µm |
| EBM (Electron Beam Melting) | 45–105µm | 50–100µm |
| DED (Directed Energy Deposition) | 53–150µm | 250–1000µm |
| Binder Jetting | <45µm (fine cut) | 50–100µm |
Production Methods
Most common. Good sphericity, moderate cost. Suitable for non-critical aerospace and industrial applications. Some oxygen pickup risk with reactive metals.
Preferred for titanium. No crucible contact → minimal contamination. Higher purity, better sphericity. Premium price but required for aerospace and medical.
Highest sphericity and flowability. Very low oxygen content. Narrow PSD. Most expensive — reserved for fatigue-critical rotating parts.
Excellent sphericity using Ti wire feedstock. Low satellite particles. Good for demanding aerospace specs. Mid-to-high price range.
3. Certifications & Quality Standards
Titanium powder for critical applications must meet rigorous certification requirements. Always request certificates before placing an order.
- ✓ASTM F2924 — Standard specification for Ti-6Al-4V powder for additive manufacturing. Covers chemistry, PSD, and impurity limits.
- ✓ASTM F3001 — Standard specification for Ti-6Al-4V ELI (Grade 23) powder. Required for medical implant applications.
- ✓ISO 5832-3 — Implants for surgery — Ti-6Al-4V alloy. International medical device standard.
- ✓AMS 4998 — Aerospace Material Specification for Ti-6Al-4V powder. Required by major aerospace OEMs.
- ✓ISO 13485 — Medical device quality management system. Essential for medical-grade powder suppliers.
4. Titanium Powder Pricing — What Affects Cost?
Titanium powder pricing is influenced by multiple factors. Understanding these helps you negotiate better and avoid overpaying. All prices below are based on PS Price Index data from verified Chinese manufacturer quotes.
EIGA and PREP cost 30–60% more than VIGA due to lower throughput and higher purity. Plasma atomization adds another 20–40%. PS Index: VIGA TC4 median ¥200–205/kg; PREP TC4 median ¥205/kg.
Finer cuts (15–45µm) cost 15–25% more than standard (15–53µm). Each additional classification step adds cost.
MOQ typically 5–10 kg. Pricing drops 10–15% at 100 kg, 20–30% at 500 kg. Spot buys pay a premium.
Full certs (chemistry + PSD + flow + morphology) add ¥30–60/kg. AMS/medical certs add ¥60–120/kg.
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