Titanium Tubes

An Introduction to Precision Titanium Tubes

Titanium tubes are high-performance tubular products manufactured to exact dimensional tolerances. Unlike pipes, which are used for fluid conveyance and measured by nominal size, tubes are defined by a precise outside diameter (OD) and a specific wall thickness (WT). This precision makes them essential for applications where fit, weight, and structural integrity are paramount.

Primarily used in heat exchangers, structural components, and precision instrumentation, titanium tubes leverage the material’s exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, superior corrosion resistance, and thermal stability. They can be produced in various shapes (round, square, rectangular) and are often manufactured seamlessly to ensure maximum pressure integrity and a smooth internal surface, which is critical for efficient heat transfer and fluid dynamics.

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Available Dimensions & Specifications

We provide both seamless and welded titanium tubes, manufactured to meet the rigorous demands of modern engineering.

• Manufacturing Types:
  • Seamless Tube: Manufactured to ASTM B338. The preferred choice for heat exchangers and high-pressure hydraulic lines.
  • Welded Tube: Manufactured to ASTM B338. Offers excellent performance and is a cost-effective choice for many structural and low-pressure applications.
• Outside Diameter (OD): 3.0 mm to 114.3 mm (0.118” to 4.5”)
• Wall Thickness (WT): 0.4 mm to 10 mm (0.015” to 0.394”)
• Shapes: Round, Square, Rectangular, and custom profiles.
• Length: Standard lengths or precision cut-to-size.

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Common Titanium Tube Grades

The grade of titanium tubing is selected based on the specific mechanical, thermal, and environmental requirements of the application.

Grade	Common Name(s)	Key Characteristics & Features	Typical Tube Applications
Grade 2	CP Ti Grade 2	The most common grade for tubing. Excellent corrosion resistance, good formability, and moderate strength.	Condenser and heat exchanger tubing, desalination systems, low-pressure hydraulic lines.
Grade 9	Ti-3Al-2.5V	A “near-alpha” alloy with excellent strength-to-weight ratio, good weldability, and fabricability. The workhorse of aerospace tubing.	Aerospace hydraulic lines, high-performance bicycle frames, sporting goods, wheelchair frames.
Grade 5	Ti-6Al-4V	High-strength alloy. Used where mechanical performance is the top priority and less formability is required.	High-performance automotive components, structural tubing, motorsport exhaust systems.
Grade 23	Ti-6Al-4V ELI	High-purity version of Grade 5 with superior fracture toughness and ductility. Excellent biocompatibility.	Medical tubing for instruments, cannulas, and structural components for advanced surgical implants.

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Example Applications of Titanium Tubes

The precision and performance of titanium tubes make them indispensable in a wide array of high-tech and industrial fields.

Heat Exchangers & Condensers

• Power Plants & Chemical Processing: Titanium tubes are the industry standard for shell-and-tube heat exchangers and surface condensers, especially those using seawater or other corrosive cooling media.
• HVAC & Refrigeration: Used in chillers and condensers where long-term corrosion resistance and efficient heat transfer are needed.

Aerospace & Automotive

• Hydraulic & Fuel Lines: Grade 9 titanium tubing is used extensively in aircraft for hydraulic systems due to its high strength, low weight, and fatigue resistance.
• Motorsport Exhaust Systems: Grade 5 titanium tubes are fabricated into lightweight, high-performance exhaust systems that withstand extreme temperatures.
• Structural Frames: Used in custom automotive chassis and roll cages where strength and weight are critical.

Medical Instruments & Devices

• Surgical Instruments: Lightweight, durable, and sterilizable tubes form the bodies of many advanced surgical tools.
• Cannulas & Hypodermic Tubing: The biocompatibility and strength of titanium are ideal for medical tubing that comes into contact with the human body.
• Implant Components: Used as structural elements in complex orthopedic implants.

Sporting Goods & Consumer Products

• High-Performance Bicycle Frames: Titanium tubes are prized for their ride quality, low weight, and durability, creating “lifetime” bike frames.
• Golf Club Shafts: The material’s properties allow for the design of lightweight shafts that increase swing speed.
• Wheelchair Frames: Custom-built, lightweight titanium wheelchairs offer enhanced mobility and reduced user fatigue.