Medical Titanium Tube, Wire and Profiles

We offer titanium both from stock as selected grades and sizes of wire and tube, and also special size wires, tubes, drawn profiles and parts made by CNC machining,

Specifically, tubes are supplied in Grades 2 and 5, wire in all grades mentioned below.

Titanium Grades Overview

Titanium is categorized into commercially pure (CP) grades and alloyed grades. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and other standards (e.g., AMS, ASME) define these grades. The most common ones for wire and tube are:

Commercially Pure Titanium (Grades 1–4)

These grades contain mostly pure titanium with trace amounts of oxygen, nitrogen, carbon, and iron, which affect strength and ductility.

Grade 1

Composition: 99.5%+ titanium, very low oxygen (0.18% max).
Propertie: Most ductile, softest, excellent corrosion resistance, moderate strength (tensile strength ~240 MPa).
Wire: Used in welding filler material, jewellry, and flexible medical devices.
Tube: Common in heat exchangers, chemical processing, and desalination plants due to corrosion resistance.
Applications: Where formability and corrosion resistance outweigh strength needs.

Grade 2

Composition: Slightly higher oxygen (0.25% max) than Grade 1.
Properties: Balances ductility and strength (tensile strength ~340 MPa), excellent corrosion resistance.
Wire: Widely used in welding, medical implants (e.g., pacemaker cases), and industrial mesh.
Tube: Popular in aerospace hydraulic lines, marine applications, and medical tubing.
Applications: The “workhorse” grade—versatile and cost-effective.

Grade 3

Composition: Higher oxygen (0.35% max) and strength than Grade 2.
Properties: Stronger (tensile strength ~450 MPa), less ductile, still corrosion-resistant.
Wire: Used in structural applications and high-strength springs.
Tube: Found in pressure vessels and piping systems.
Applications: Where moderate strength is needed without sacrificing too much formability.

Grade 4

Composition: Highest oxygen of CP grades (0.40% max).
Properties: Strongest CP grade (tensile strength ~550 MPa), least ductile.
Wire: Used in aerospace fasteners and high-strength cabling.
Tube: Employed in high-pressure systems and surgical implants.
Applications: Strength-focused applications still requiring corrosion resistance.

Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V)

Composition: 6% aluminum, 4% vanadium, remainder titanium.
Properties: High strength (tensile strength ~900–1000 MPa), good toughness, moderate corrosion resistance, heat-treatable.
Wire: Used in aerospace fasteners, springs, and orthopedic implants (e.g., screws, plates).
Tube: Common in aircraft frames, engine components, and high-performance bike frames.
Applications: The most widely used titanium alloy—ideal for high-strength, lightweight needs.

Grade 7

Composition: Titanium with 0.12–0.25% palladium.
Properties: Similar to Grade 2 but with enhanced corrosion resistance, especially in acidic environments.
Wire: Used in chemical processing and anode/cathode assemblies.
Tube: Ideal for harsh chemical environments like chlorides or reducing acids.
Applications: Niche industrial uses requiring superior corrosion resistance.

Grade 9 (Ti-3Al-2.5V)

Composition: 3% aluminum, 2.5% vanadium.
Properties: Stronger than CP grades (tensile strength ~620 MPa), more ductile than Grade 5, excellent weldability.
Wire: Used in sports equipment (e.g., golf club shafts) and hydraulic tubing.
Tube: Popular in aerospace hydraulic systems and bicycle tubing.
Applications: A middle ground between CP titanium and Grade 5—lightweight with good strength.

Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI)

Composition: Extra Low Interstitial version of Grade 5 (lower oxygen, nitrogen, carbon).
Properties: High strength, improved ductility, exceptional biocompatibility.
Wire: Used in surgical implants (e.g., spinal rods) and fine medical devices.
Tube: Found in advanced medical implants and aerospace components.
Applications: Preferred in biomedical fields due to purity and fracture toughness.

Titanium in Medical Trauma Plates (e.g. Bone Fixation)

In medicine, titanium is a go-to material for trauma-related implants—like plates, screws, and rods—used to stabilize broken bones or repair skeletal damage after severe injury. These aren’t the trauma plates of body armor; they’re surgical hardware designed to support healing inside the body.

Why Titanium?

Biocompatibility: Titanium is biologically inert, meaning it doesn’t trigger immune reactions or toxicity. The body accepts it without significant rejection, which is critical for long-term implants. It forms a passive oxide layer (TiO₂) that further shields it from corrosion by bodily fluids.

Strength and Lightweight: With a tensile strength of around 900 MPa (for Ti-6Al-4V, the most common alloy), titanium can handle the mechanical stresses of bone support while being 45% lighter than steel. This reduces strain on the patient during recovery.

Corrosion Resistance: Blood, saline, and other bodily fluids don’t degrade titanium, unlike steel, which could rust or leach ions if not properly coated. This durability ensures the implant lasts years—or even a lifetime—without breaking down.

Osseointegration: Titanium bonds well with bone. Over time, bone tissue can grow into its surface (especially if it’s micro-textured), anchoring the implant naturally. This is a huge plus for trauma plates stabilizing fractures.

Applications in Trauma

Fracture Fixation Plates: Thin, contoured titanium plates are screwed into bones (e.g., femur, skull, or jaw) to hold fragments in place after a traumatic break. They’re custom-shaped for specific bones and can be as thin as 1-3 mm while still bearing load.

Cranial Plates: After head trauma, titanium mesh or plates repair skull defects, protecting the brain while conforming to complex shapes.

Spinal Trauma: Rods and plates stabilize vertebrae after fractures from falls or accidents.

Manufacturing & Forms

Wire and Drawn Profile Shapes: Titanium wire is typically drawn into thin diameters (0.1 mm to 5 mm or more) and can be supplied annealed (soft) or cold-worked (stronger). It’s available in coils, spools, or straight lengths.

Tube: Titanium tubing can be seamless (extruded or drawn) or welded, with sizes ranging from small capillaries to large-diameter pipes. Wall thickness varies based on application (e.g., thin-walled for heat exchangers, thick-walled for structural use).

Key Differences

Strength: Increases from Grade 1 (weakest) to Grade 5/23 (strongest).

Ductility: Highest in Grade 1, decreases as strength rises (Grade 5 is less ductile).

Corrosion Resistance: Exceptional in CP grades and Grade 7; slightly lower in Grade 5 due to alloying.

Cost: CP grades (1–4) are generally cheaper than alloys (5, 9, 23), with Grade 7 being pricier due to palladium.

Practical Considerations

Welding: Grades 1, 2, and 9 are easiest to weld; Grade 5 requires more care due to reactivity at high temperatures.

Machining: Alloys like Grade 5 are harder to machine than CP grades.

Availability: Grade 2 and Grade 5 dominate the market for wire and tube due to their versatility.