Titanium alloys are widely used in various sectors, among which the most relevant are:

The main common characteristic to all titanium alloys is the excellent ratio between mechanical strength and the density. High resistance to corrosion (due to contact with chemical products or prolonged exposure to atmospheric agents), excellent weldability and good workability, are also common for all alloys.

To understand the specific characteristics of titanium alloys and their consequent use in various product sectors, we should take into consideration the chemical and physical properties of the main alloys, defined according to the ASTM nomenclature.

There is a second classification, suitable to indicate the degree of purity of each alloy.

Grade 1: defined as commercially pure. Excellent ductility to the detriment of a low breaking load. Excellent corrosion resistance.

Grade 2: also defined as commercially pure, however it has a higher percentage of oxygen. It is a widespread alloy thanks to its good ductility, good mechanical resistance and excellent resistance to corrosion. This kind of alloy is available in different shapes: tubular, round, plate.

Grade 5 (Ti6Al4V): Used mainly in the aerospace, motorsport and naval sectors. High breaking load, high resistance to corrosion but it is less ductile than the two previous alloys. It is used mainly for machining from solid and for the realization of mechanical and structural components.

Grade 9 (Ti3Al2,5V): It has very similar characteristics to grade 5 but it is used mainly for the production of pipes. Therefore, it’s it is widely used in the motorsport sector. Unlike the grade 2 alloy, which is also available in a tubular shape, it has better mechanical characteristics but at the expense of a lower percentage of lengthening.

Different alloys have therefore different application sectors and construction technologies.

The term aluminum it’s it is often used in a wrong way to indicate alloys that are actually composed of various elements: most commonly classified by a numerical code, they vary from alloys 1000 (to 99%) to alloys 9000 and they have certain physical characteristics based on their chemical composition.

Among their main common features, there are low density, high thermal and electrical conductivity, high ductility and a low melting point.

Alloys 6000, also called anticorodal, are the most used.

Alloys 2000 (Al Cu): they require a solubilisation, quenching and aging treatment to develop the mechanical values ​​of use; after these treatments, they develop mechanical characteristics comparable to those of carbon steels. These alloys can be used for parts and structures that require high strength / weight ratios. They have excellent machinability for machine tools but a limited weldability by cast.

Alloys 5000 (Al Mg): They are alloys of strong commercial interest, which increase their mechanical characteristics for work hardening, that is by cold deformation. They are widely used in the production of tanks.

Alloys 6000 (Al Si Mg): excellent weldability and ductility. Although they can be heat treated by hardening they do not reach the mechanical characteristics of the alloys 2000 (Al Cu) and 7000 (Al Zn Mg).

Alloys 7000 (Al Zn Mg): Excellent mechanical resistance at the expense of less ductility. They are commonly used where a high mechanical and fatigue strength is required. They have good machinability for machine tools and, in most cases, poor weldability by cast. Wide use in the aeronautical, automotive and motorsport sectors, they are used for the construction of parts subject to stress.

Nickel alloys are used widely in the motor sports, automotive, boat and ship building, and petrochemical industries, especially due to the excellent corrosion and high-temperature oxidation resistance they offer.

They are mostly used for the construction of exhaust systems, gas turbines, and pipes for conveying corrosive fluids.

Nickel alloys are not part of the family of light alloys as they all have a high specific weight and are all hard to machine with cutting tools.
The most commonly used alloys are:

Inconel 600:
this has good tensile strength and high-temperature oxidation resistance (up to 1093 ° C). It is not suitable for use in the presence of sulphur.

Inconel 625:
This has a lower percentage of nickel than Inconel 625, but its composition means it offers better corrosion resistance. It is excellent for welding and good for cold forming machining. That is why it is often used in the automotive industry, for the construction of exhaust systems and gas turbines, as well as in the petrochemical industry.

Inconel 718:
This alloy has excellent tensile strength and good corrosion resistance. Like the 625, it is good for welding and also for cold forming machining.