Titanium CNC machining

Can you CNC titanium? Yes, with the right process

Titanium machines well on standard CNC mills and lathes when the shop uses rigid setups, sharp coated carbide tools, high-pressure coolant and conservative speeds. It is not exotic, but it is slower and harder on tools than aluminum or stainless, and that shows up in the price. We machine titanium on 3- to 5-axis mills and on lathes and mill-turn centers, at our standard ±0.03 mm tolerance, with tighter tolerances on critical features confirmed in the quote.

Engineers choose titanium for strength-to-weight, corrosion resistance (including seawater and many chemicals), low thermal expansion and biocompatibility. Typical parts: drone and robotics brackets, bicycle and motorsport components, marine fittings, medical-style instruments, heat-exposed fasteners and lightweight shafts.

Grade 2 vs Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V)

Typical properties for annealed bar. Minimums per ASTM B348 are lower than these typicals; use the standard if your design depends on guaranteed values.

Choose Grade 5 when strength matters: it is more than twice as strong as Grade 2 at the same weight and is what most people mean by "titanium". Choose Grade 2 for corrosion-driven parts with moderate loads, or parts that will be formed or welded. Both are much lighter than steel (about 56% of the density) but less stiff: titanium's modulus is roughly half that of steel, so a thin titanium part will deflect more than the same steel part.

Why Ti-6Al-4V machining costs more

• Low thermal conductivity. Ti-6Al-4V conducts heat about 25 times worse than 6061 aluminum. Heat stays at the cutting edge instead of leaving with the chip, which softens and wears the tool.
• Slow cutting speeds. To keep tool temperature under control, cutting speeds are a fraction of those used for aluminum. More time on the machine means a higher price for the same geometry.
• Tool wear. Titanium is chemically reactive with tool materials at high temperature and tends to weld to the edge. Tools are replaced more often, and small tools are a real risk.
• Low stiffness. The low modulus means thin walls spring away from the cutter, causing chatter and dimension errors. Thin features need lighter cuts and more passes.
• Material price. Titanium bar and plate cost many times more than aluminum per kilogram, and the buy-to-fly ratio (stock weight vs finished weight) matters more.

None of this is a reason to avoid titanium when you need it, but it is worth designing for. Our CNC cost guide explains how geometry and tolerances affect price on any material.

Design tips for titanium parts

• Use generous internal corner radii, ideally 1 mm (0.04 in) or larger, so stiffer tools can be used.
• Keep walls at 1.5 mm or thicker where you can, and avoid tall, unsupported thin ribs.
• Avoid very small tapped holes (M3 and smaller) and deep holes over about 5× diameter; titanium grabs taps and drills.
• Tolerance only what mates. Tight tolerances on every feature multiply machine time. See our tolerance guide.
• If titanium is only needed for weight, compare against 7075-T6 aluminum; if it is for corrosion, compare against 316 stainless.

Finishes and certificates

As machined titanium has a clean, light grey surface, typically Ra 3.2 µm. Bead blasting gives a uniform matte look and is a common choice for visible parts. Polishing and laser marking are also available. Titanium can be anodized to produce interference colors (blue, gold, purple and others, controlled by voltage), which is a different process from aluminum anodizing; it is not part of our standard finish list, so ask us if you need it. See all surface finishes.

Choosing among titanium CNC machining manufacturers

When comparing suppliers, ask whether they machine titanium regularly, what material certificates they provide, how they inspect parts and whether you see a first article before the batch. With us, every order gets an inspection report on critical dimensions, first-article approval by photos and measurements, and a free remake if parts are out of tolerance against the approved drawing. Details are on our quality page. We do not accept ITAR, export-controlled or weapons-related parts.