Titanium CNC Machining for Aerospace
Precision machining of Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5), Grade 2 and Grade 23 (ELI) titanium from our China workshop. Tight tolerances down to ±0.01mm, 4-axis and 5-axis capability, and process control tuned for titanium heat and work hardening.
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±0.01mm
Tolerance Accuracy
China
Factory
1 Piece
MOQ
Materials
| Grade | Properties | Typical Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Titanium Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V) | Tensile Strength: 950 MPa, Yield: 880 MPa, Density: 4.43 g/cm³, excellent strength-to-weight ratio, biocompatible, corrosion resistant | Aerospace fittings, structural brackets, turbine components, racing parts, medical implants |
| Titanium Grade 2 (CP) | Tensile Strength: 344 MPa, commercially pure, excellent corrosion resistance, outstanding formability and weldability | Chemical processing equipment, heat exchangers, marine hardware, medical device bodies |
| Titanium Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) | Tensile Strength: 860 MPa, extra-low interstitial Grade 5, improved fracture toughness and biocompatibility | Surgical implants, orthopedic devices, aerospace structural parts |
| Titanium Grade 7 (Ti-0.15Pd) | Tensile Strength: 345 MPa, Grade 2 with palladium addition, superior resistance to reducing acids | Chemical processing, acid handling, heat exchanger tubing, desalination equipment |
Process Parameters
| Parameter | Standard Range |
|---|---|
| Machining Type | 3-axis milling / 4-axis / 5-axis / CNC turning / mill-turn |
| Dimensional Tolerance (Precision) | ±0.01mm to ±0.02mm (critical features, CMM verified) |
| Dimensional Tolerance (Standard) | ±0.05mm (general features) |
| Surface Roughness (As-machined) | Ra 0.8μm - 1.6μm |
| Surface Roughness (Precision) | Ra 0.2μm - 0.4μm (with finishing passes) |
| Max Part Size (Milling) | 800mm x 500mm x 400mm (3-axis); Ø600mm x 400mm (5-axis) |
| Max Part Size (Turning) | Ø300mm x 600mm |
| Minimum Wall Thickness | 0.5mm (aluminum), 0.8mm (steel), 0.6mm (brass) |
| Threads | M1.6 to M24, standard and custom thread forms |
| Lead Time (Prototype) | 3-5 business days |
| Lead Time (Production) | 7-20 business days depending on quantity |
Surface Finishes
As-Machined (Fine)
Clean machined surface direct from tool, Ra 0.8-1.6μm. Suitable for functional surfaces and internal features.
Bead Blasting
Uniform matte texture (Ra 1.6-3.2μm) that hides machining marks and prepares surfaces for coating.
Polishing (Mirror / Satin)
Mechanical polishing to Ra ≤0.1μm (mirror) or Ra 0.4-0.8μm (satin). Ideal for visible, optical and implant surfaces.
Passivation
Acid treatment that removes free iron, cleans the surface and enhances the natural oxide layer for improved corrosion resistance.
Anodizing (Oxide / Color)
Electrolytic oxide growth used for decorative color and a thin thermal/barrier layer. Different from aluminum anodizing; thickness and color are process-limited.
Powder Coating
Durable polyester or epoxy coating, 60-120μm thickness, RAL/Pantone color matching, excellent weather and scratch resistance.
Electroless Nickel / DLC
Uniform hard coating (HRC 48-55) or diamond-like carbon for wear and galling resistance on sliding or sealing surfaces.
Design for Manufacturing (DFM)
- Upload STEP/IGES files for free DFM analysis within 24 hours
- Design for rigidity: titanium work hardens under the cut, so avoid thin sections that deflect and gall the tool
- Specify generous internal radii (≥1.5-2x tool radius) to reduce tool engagement and heat at the corner
- Favor climb milling and sharp, positive-rake carbide tooling to keep cutting temperatures down
- Plan for copious, high-pressure coolant – titanium has low thermal conductivity and concentrates heat in the cutting zone
- Minimize setups with 4-axis/5-axis strategies so critical features are cut in one clamping for true position control
- Eliminate unnecessary tight tolerances on non-functional features to reduce cost and cycle time
- Prototype-first strategy: validate the design and machining approach before committing to production volume
Tooling & Capacity
| Type | Lead Time | Suitable For |
|---|---|---|
| CNC Prototyping | 3-5 days | 1-100 pieces, design validation, functional testing |
| Rapid Tooling (Aluminum Fixtures) | 2-3 weeks | 100-1,000 pieces, bridge production with dedicated fixtures |
| Production Machining (Steel Fixtures) | 4-6 weeks | 1,000+ pieces, long-run production with repeatable setups |
Quality Assurance
- Incoming material inspection – titanium stock verified by mill test report (chemistry, tensile, hardness) before machining
- First Article Inspection (FAI) with CMM measurement on initial production parts, full dimensional report included in shipment
- In-process inspection at critical operations to catch deviation before it affects multiple parts
- Surface roughness measurement with profilometer to verify Ra values meet specification
- Calibrated instruments: micrometers, calipers, height gauges, bore gauges, thread gauges – checked on a fixed schedule
- Dimensional capability study on critical features for production orders
- Visual inspection for burrs, tool marks, edge condition and non-conformances per customer specification
- Final dimensional report with CMM data shipped with every batch; inspection records retained for traceability
- Statistical Process Control (SPC) on critical dimensions with data available on request
Applications
- Aerospace: structural brackets, airframe fittings, engine mounts, actuator housings, fasteners
- Medical: surgical instruments, implant components, orthopedic devices, diagnostic equipment
- Motorsport and racing: suspension components, brackets, lightweight structural parts
- Marine and offshore: propeller shafts, sonar housings, corrosion-resistant hardware
- Chemical processing: reactor components, heat exchanger parts, pump bodies for corrosive media
- Defense: weapon components, optics mounts, vehicle hardware
- Industrial: high-strength fasteners, couplings, precision linkages
- Custom titanium machined parts for any high strength-to-weight application
Why Choose FHY Precision
Titanium process knowledge: feeds, speeds, coolant strategy and tooling selected specifically for titanium heat and work-hardening behavior
Precision: ±0.01mm on critical features, verified by CMM with 0.001mm resolution and SPC monitoring
5-axis capability: complex aerospace geometry cut in fewer setups for better true-position control
Material traceability: titanium stock received with mill test reports, verified on incoming inspection
Prototype-first: 3-5 day prototypes with no tooling cost before volume commitment
One-stop: machining, surface finishing (passivation, polishing, coating) and inspection under one roof
Free DFM analysis: upload STEP/IGES and receive a report within 24 hours covering heat management, rigidity and tolerances
China factory pricing with strict process control from our China workshop
FAQ
1. What titanium grades do you machine?
We regularly machine Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) – the dominant aerospace alloy – plus commercially pure Grade 2 for corrosion service, Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) for medical implants, and Grade 7 (Ti-0.15Pd) for aggressive chemical environments. We can also source other grades such as Grade 1, Grade 4 and Grade 9 on request. Every lot is received with a mill test report documenting chemistry and mechanical properties.
2. Why is titanium hard to machine, and how do you handle it?
Titanium has low thermal conductivity (heat stays in the cutting zone) and work hardens under the tool. We counter this with sharp positive-rake carbide tooling, rigid setups, climb milling, generous internal radii, and copious high-pressure coolant to keep temperatures down and prevent galling. The result is consistent tool life, tight tolerances and good surface finish even on thin-walled parts.
3. What tolerances can you hold on titanium parts?
Standard machined tolerance is ±0.05mm; we consistently achieve ±0.01mm to ±0.02mm on critical features, verified by CMM with 0.001mm resolution. Geometric tolerances (flatness, parallelism, perpendicularity, concentricity) are held to 0.02mm. Capability studies are maintained on production-critical features.
4. Do you have 5-axis machining for complex aerospace parts?
Yes. Our 4-axis and 5-axis centers are well suited to titanium aerospace geometry – undercuts, compound angles, contoured surfaces and impeller-like forms – by cutting in fewer setups. Fewer setups means better true-position control and less risk of misalignment on high-value parts.
5. What is your minimum order quantity?
MOQ is 1 piece. Titanium is expensive, so our prototype-first approach lets you validate fit, function and cost on a single part before committing to volume. Production runs scale to thousands of pieces with dedicated fixtures.
6. How long does titanium CNC machining take?
Prototypes: 3-5 business days. Production: 7-20 business days depending on quantity, complexity and finishing. 5-axis or thin-walled work leans toward the longer end. We confirm dated lead times in writing with every quotation.
7. What surface finishes are suitable for titanium?
Titanium is most often delivered as-machined (Ra 0.8-1.6μm), bead blasted for a uniform matte, or polished to a mirror (Ra ≤0.1μm) for implant and visible parts. Passivation improves corrosion resistance, anodizing can add decorative color, and hard coatings (electroless nickel, DLC) add wear resistance on sliding surfaces.
8. Can you machine titanium parts from drawings without 3D files?
Yes. We can machine from 2D drawings (PDF, DXF, DWG) or a physical sample. For samples we offer reverse engineering: CMM scanning generates an accurate 3D model. A small fee applies and is credited toward your production order.
9. How do you ensure material quality and traceability?
All titanium raw stock is received with a mill test report documenting chemistry, tensile strength, yield and hardness. Material is verified on incoming inspection and the report is included with your shipment. Lot-level traceability and additional test reports are available on request.
10. Can you sign an NDA to protect my design?
Yes. NDA signage is standard before we review any design files. We serve aerospace, defense, medical and electronics clients where IP protection is critical, restrict drawing access to the project team, and never show your parts without written permission.
11. Do you ship titanium parts internationally?
Yes, worldwide. Small orders ship by DHL/FedEx/UPS express (3-7 business days); larger orders by air or ocean freight (2-6 weeks). Export paperwork includes commercial invoice, packing list and origin documentation. Titanium parts are packed with anti-corrosion protection for transit.
12. How is titanium machining priced?
Price = Material + Machine time + Finishing + Inspection. Titanium machine time is higher than aluminum or steel because of slower feeds and frequent tool changes, so part complexity, wall thickness and tolerance drive cost most. We provide a detailed itemized quote within 24 hours; prototyping at 1-10 pieces is affordable and volume orders amortize setup.
13. When is titanium worth the premium over aluminum or stainless steel?
Titanium makes sense when you need the specific combination of high strength, low weight and corrosion resistance that no other metal matches: weight-critical aerospace structures, saltwater and chemical exposure, medical implants and surgical tools, and parts seeing sustained 600°F-plus service. If you only need one property, alternatives often win – 7075-T6 aluminum for weight alone, 316 stainless for corrosion alone, 4340 steel for strength alone – at 60-90% lower cost. We will tell you honestly during DFM if a substitute fits your function.
14. Can titanium be welded or joined after machining?
Yes, titanium welds readily by TIG, laser and electron beam methods, but the rules are strict: inert gas shielding must cover both the weld pool and the backing side until the metal cools below roughly 500°C, because hot titanium absorbs oxygen and nitrogen from air and embrittles. Contamination control matters as much as the arc – a wire brush used on steel will ruin a titanium weld. If your assembly needs welding, we can machine features to weld-prep standards and coordinate with a qualified welding partner.
15. What documentation should I request with titanium machined parts?
A sensible package includes the material certificate with heat and lot traceability, a dimensional inspection report against your drawing, CMM data on critical features, a first article inspection report for new part numbers, and surface finish records. For medical or aerospace work, we can add process records showing tooling and inspection methods used. Ask for the package that matches your industry and risk level – we would rather agree the documentation scope at quotation than discover a gap at launch.
16. Is titanium suitable for medical implants and surgical instruments?
Yes – Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5) and commercially pure Grade 2 are established implant and instrument materials because they are biocompatible, corrosion-resistant in body fluids, and light. What matters beyond the alloy is surface condition and cleanliness: machined implant components need controlled surface finish, no embedded cutting debris, and documented cleaning. We machine titanium instrument components and implant prototypes, and we can discuss surface preparation and cleaning requirements during quoting.