Why is titanium difficult to machine?

Titanium has low thermal conductivity that concentrates heat at the cutting edge. It is chemically reactive, causing built-up edge. Its low modulus of elasticity causes deflection, and it work hardens when rubbed instead of cut. These four factors make it one of the most challenging materials to machine.

What tooling is recommended for titanium machining?

Micro-grain carbide substrates with AlTiN coatings, variable helix end mills, and sharp cutting edges. For drilling, split point drills with through-tool coolant are essential. HSS tooling wears out too quickly and should be avoided.

What is the cutting strategy for titanium?

The principle is low speed, high feed. Use dynamic milling toolpaths with constant chip thickness. Apply lower surface speed and higher radial engagement to put heat into the chip, not the tool. Use high-pressure coolant with through-tool delivery.

What tolerances can titanium machining achieve?

Standard precision holds ±0.01mm. High-precision work reaches ±0.005mm using profile compensation techniques to counter titanium's elastic deflection.

Which titanium grade is most commonly machined?

Ti-6Al-4V accounts for approximately half of all titanium used in manufacturing. Grade 23 is used for medical implants requiring higher purity.

What industries use titanium CNC machining?

Aerospace, medical devices, automotive high-performance parts, and marine. Titanium is specified when weight reduction and corrosion resistance are critical.

How does titanium compare to steel for CNC machining?

Titanium has comparable strength to steel at 45% of the weight but is significantly harder to machine—tool life is shorter, cycle times are longer, and material costs are substantially higher. It is specified for performance-critical applications where weight savings justify the cost.

CNC Titanium

CNC titanium machining is the precision processing of titanium alloys using computer-controlled cutting tools. Titanium is prized for its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio—comparable to steel at 45% of the weight—along with outstanding corrosion resistance and biocompatibility. The most commonly machined alloy is Ti-6Al-4V, which accounts for approximately half of all titanium used in manufacturing.

Titanium presents significant machining challenges: low thermal conductivity concentrating heat at the cutting edge, high chemical reactivity causing built-up edge, low modulus of elasticity causing deflection, and work hardening of the surface. Specialized tooling with micro-grain carbide and AlTiN coatings is essential. High-pressure coolant with through-tool delivery is critical for heat management. Dynamic milling strategies with constant chip thickness improve tool life significantly. Tolerances are held to ±0.01mm standard, with high-precision work reaching ±0.005mm.

Our CNC Machining Services

From prototype to production — reliable quality, on-time delivery

We provide precision CNC machining services for a wide range of materials including aluminum, steel, stainless steel, copper, brass, titanium, PEEK, PTFE, acetal, nylon, and other engineering plastics. Our manufacturing capabilities cover 3-axis, 4-axis, and 5-axis CNC milling, as well as CNC turning, suitable for both prototype development and high-volume production runs.

With ISO 9001:2015 certification and a commitment to quality, we serve customers across aerospace, automotive, medical, electronics, industrial equipment, and consumer goods industries. Our in-house capabilities include surface finishing, anodizing, powder coating, heat treatment, and inspection with CMM and optical measurement equipment.

We offer competitive pricing, flexible lead times, and full material traceability. From simple brackets to complex precision components, we deliver parts that meet your specifications with reliable quality and on-time delivery.

Case StudiesMore+

SLINAR - Precision 304 Stainless Steel Knurled Micro-Adjustment Handle Shaft with Passivation and TIR Control for Medical Equipment

Precision 304 Stainless Steel Knurled Micro-Adjustment Handle Shaft with Passivation and TIR Control for Medical Equipment-stainless_steel

SLINAR - Precision Tungsten Carbide EDM Spring Claw Gripper: Single-Pass Wire EDM Unibody Construction with Micro-Tolerance Elastic Arms

Precision Tungsten Carbide EDM Spring Claw Gripper: Single-Pass Wire EDM Unibody Construction with Micro-Tolerance Elastic Arms-alloy_steel

SLINAR - Black PA12 Micro-Automation Oscillating Clamping Link via Selective Laser Sintering

Black PA12 Micro-Automation Oscillating Clamping Link via Selective Laser Sintering-pa

SLINAR - Precision 7075 Aluminum Semiconductor Cavity Component: Two-Tone Anodizing Process with Natural + Black Finish

Precision 7075 Aluminum Semiconductor Cavity Component: Two-Tone Anodizing Process with Natural + Black Finish-aluminum

SLINAR - Precision 316 Stainless Steel Medical Fluid Component with Passivation for Bio-Contact Applications

Precision 316 Stainless Steel Medical Fluid Component with Passivation for Bio-Contact Applications-stainless_steel

SLINAR - Precision Tool Steel Gear Shaft: Integrated Turn-Mill Unibody Construction with Synchronous Gear Milling

Precision Tool Steel Gear Shaft: Integrated Turn-Mill Unibody Construction with Synchronous Gear Milling-tool_steel

Materials

Titanium Grade 1

Titanium Grade 1 | 3.7025

Titanium Grade 1 (CNC) is a commercially pure metal with excellent corrosion and impact resistance and good machinability and weldability.

Understand Titanium Grade 1

Titanium Grade 2

Titanium Grade 2 | 3.7035

Stronger than Grade 1 and equally corrosion-resistant, excellent bio-compatibility.

Understand Titanium Grade 2

Titanium Grade 5

Titanium Grade 5 | 3.7165 | Ti6Al4V

Stronger than Grade 5, equally corrosion-resistant, and excellent bio-compatibility.

Understand Titanium Grade 5

Applications

Aerospace

Aircraft structural frames and bulkheads
Engine components and compressor parts
Landing gear and hydraulic components
Fasteners and connector fittings
Missile and spacecraft components

Medical

Orthopedic implants
Surgical instruments and tool bodies
Dental implants and abutments
Bone plates and screws
Biocompatible device housings

Automotive

High-performance connecting rods
Valve train components
Lightweight structural parts
Motorsports and racing components
Exhaust system components

Marine

Subsea components and connectors
Propeller shafts and fittings
Corrosion-resistant marine hardware

Industrial

High-temperature equipment components
Chemical processing parts
Wear-resistant guide rails and slides

Capabilities

We specialize in CNC machining of titanium alloys, primarily Ti-6Al-4V. Our 5-axis machining centers are equipped with high-pressure through-spindle coolant and specialized tooling with AlTiN coatings to manage heat and work hardening. We implement dynamic milling toolpaths with constant chip thickness to extend tool life. We use profile compensation techniques to counter titanium's elastic deflection, achieving contour accuracy within ±0.005mm on critical features. Part sizes up to 2,000mm x 800mm x 600mm. ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100D certified. ITAR compliant.

Finishes

Anodizing

Type 1: Standard anodizing for corrosion protection and adhesion
Type 2: Color anodizing for identification and decoration
Type 3: Hard anodizing for wear resistance

Passivation

Chemical treatment to remove surface contamination
Restores corrosion resistance
Standard for medical and aerospace parts

Mechanical Finishes

Bead Blasting: Uniform matte texture
Brushing: Directional grain pattern
Polishing: High-gloss reflective finish
Tumbling: Edge deburring

Plating & Coating

PTFE / Teflon: Low-friction non-stick surface
PVD Coating: Wear-resistant coating
Electroless Nickel: Additional corrosion and wear protection

Heat Treatment

Annealing: Stress relief after machining
Solution Treatment + Aging: Strengthening for Ti-6Al-4V

Technical Specs

Property	Ti-6Al-4V
Tensile Strength	950 – 1,100 MPa
Yield Strength	880 – 950 MPa
Elongation at Break	10 – 14%
Hardness	36 – 40 HRC
Density	4.43 g/cm³
Modulus of Elasticity	110 GPa
Thermal Conductivity	6.7 W/m·K
Corrosion Resistance	Excellent
Biocompatibility	Yes

Titanium Grade	Type	Key Properties	Common Uses
Grade 2	Commercially Pure	Corrosion resistance, formability	Chemical equipment, marine
Grade 5	Alpha-Beta	High strength, best overall properties	Aerospace, medical, automotive
Grade 23	Alpha-Beta	Extra Low Interstitial, high purity	Medical implants, surgical

Parameter	Capability
Max Part Size (Milling)	2,000mm x 800mm x 600mm
Max Part Size (Turning)	600mm diameter x 1,500mm length
Standard Tolerance	±0.02 – 0.05mm
Precision Tolerance	±0.01mm
High-Precision Tolerance	±0.005mm
Surface Finish (As-Machined)	Ra 1.6 – 3.2μm
Surface Finish (Precision)	Ra 0.8μm
Surface Finish (Polished)	Ra 0.4μm

FAQs

Why is titanium difficult to machine?

Titanium has low thermal conductivity that concentrates heat at the cutting edge. It is chemically reactive, causing built-up edge. Its low modulus of elasticity causes deflection, and it work hardens when rubbed instead of cut. These four factors make it one of the most challenging materials to machine.
What tooling is recommended for titanium machining?

Micro-grain carbide substrates with AlTiN coatings, variable helix end mills, and sharp cutting edges. For drilling, split point drills with through-tool coolant are essential. HSS tooling wears out too quickly and should be avoided.
What is the cutting strategy for titanium?

The principle is low speed, high feed. Use dynamic milling toolpaths with constant chip thickness. Apply lower surface speed and higher radial engagement to put heat into the chip, not the tool. Use high-pressure coolant with through-tool delivery.
What tolerances can titanium machining achieve?

Standard precision holds ±0.01mm. High-precision work reaches ±0.005mm using profile compensation techniques to counter titanium's elastic deflection.
Which titanium grade is most commonly machined?

Ti-6Al-4V accounts for approximately half of all titanium used in manufacturing. Grade 23 is used for medical implants requiring higher purity.
What industries use titanium CNC machining?

Aerospace, medical devices, automotive high-performance parts, and marine. Titanium is specified when weight reduction and corrosion resistance are critical.
How does titanium compare to steel for CNC machining?

Titanium has comparable strength to steel at 45% of the weight but is significantly harder to machine—tool life is shorter, cycle times are longer, and material costs are substantially higher. It is specified for performance-critical applications where weight savings justify the cost.

Services

Industries

Cases