When it comes to choosing materials for various applications, stainless steel and titanium are two of the most popular options.
Both have unique properties that make them highly sought after for different applications across numerous industries including automotive, aerospace, and medical.
In this post, we’ll compare and contrast both metals in great detail. By the end, you will have a better understanding of each material’s strengths and limitations and will be able to make an informed decision about which to use for your next project.
What is Stainless Steel?
Stainless steel is a kind of metal alloy which has steel as the parent metal. The underlying reason behind the production of alloys is to change or modify the original chemical and physical properties of the parent metal.
In the case of stainless steel, the parent steel metal is mixed with iron, chromium, carbon, and other elements such as nickel and molybdenum to deliver a final product that is corrosive resistant, durable, and aesthetically pleasing.
Specifically, the addition of chromium makes the stainless steel stand out from most other metallic alloys available.
Through various chemical reactions, it creates a thin layer of protection on the metal surface, essentially granting the steel immunity to corrosion and rust.
This passive protection layer is self-healing, which means that if the surface is scratched, the chromium in the alloy will react with oxygen in the air to repair the damaged layer.
Stainless steel comes in a variety of forms, each with unique qualities and uses.
Austenitic, ferritic, and martensitic stainless steel are the most prevalent varieties.
- Austenitic stainless steel is the most popular grade of stainless steel. It comprises high levels of chromium and nickel, which makes it extremely resistant to heat and corrosion.
- Ferritic stainless steel has good corrosion resistance and is less expensive than austenitic, but it cannot be used where high-temperature resistance is a requirement.
- Martensitic stainless steel is the hardest and most brittle of the three. Its high strength makes it a common raw material for knives and other cutting tools.
What is Titanium?
Titanium is a strong and lightweight transition metal that is highly corrosion-resistant.
Transition metal is one of the strongest metals globally. It is commonly found in the earth’s crust and is extracted using the Kroll process.
Magnesium is used to reduce titanium tetrachloride during the Kroll process. The produced titanium is then refined through several processes, resulting in different grades of titanium.
There are four primary grades of pure titanium;
- Grade 1 titanium is the most ductile and formable and is often used in chemical processing and marine applications.
- Grade 2 titanium. The corrosion resistance of these metals makes them a popular choice in applications where grade 1 titanium qualifies but formability isn’t a requirement.
- Grade 3 has a higher strength-to-weight ratio and is often used in aerospace applications.
- Grade 4 is the strongest and most ductile, making it suitable for biomedical applications.
Differences Between Stainless Steel and Titanium
Let’s quickly review the key differences between these two metals.
Composition
On the face of it, titanium and stainless steel are top-quality metallic materials. Composition wise however, they can’t be more different — titanium is a metal, while stainless steel is a mixture of steel and other alloyed metals
Commercial-grade titanium is made up of pure and refined titanium — only. Conversely, stainless steel is a combination of various metallic elements.
While titanium has properties that are inherent to the material, stainless steel’s distinctive properties are a result of perfected alloying processes.
Strength and Durability
Stainless steel and titanium are very strong and durable. The latter more so than the former.
Titanium has a higher strength-to-weight ratio and is more resistant to deformation and operational stress fatigue.
Corrosion Resistance
Both metals are extremely resistant to corrosion. However, stainless steel is more resistant to general corrosion than titanium, while titanium is more resistant to localized corrosion, such as pitting and crevice corrosion.
Weight
Compared to stainless steel, titanium is much lighter. This makes it an ideal option for a utility where weight is a consideration.
Specifically, titanium is approximately 45% lighter than steel. It is also equally strong structurally. This makes it an attractive option for aerospace and other industries where weight is a critical factor.
Cost
Thanks to its incredible tensile strength, processing titanium(machining and metal works) requires very powerful and specialized machines which cost a lot of money.
The higher capital costs due to these machines and the relevant labor force translate to an overall higher production cost. This makes titanium generally more expensive than stainless steel.
In contrast, due to several factors, including the abundance of raw materials and the lower production costs associated with manufacturing, stainless steel is less expensive than titanium.
Using titanium could be prohibitively expensive for sectors like construction, which require large volumes of raw materials. This makes stainless steel a more cost-effective choice for applications where cost consideration is an important factor.
Applications
Both stainless steel and titanium have unique properties that make them ideal for different applications across various industries.
Stainless steel is often used in applications where corrosion resistance and aesthetic appeal are important, such as in architecture, kitchenware, jewelry(rings, earrings, etc), and automotive applications.
Titanium, on the other hand, sees more utility in aerospace, medical, and sporting goods applications due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and biocompatibility.
That said, due to the overlap in a number of their metallic properties, both titanium and stainless steel can be used interchangeably.
For instance, there is not only stainless steel jewelry, you can also get titanium earrings, wristwatches, and fashion wearables without much fuss. Titanium metals can also be used to replace stainless steel in construction, depending on the architect’s tastes.
Scratch
Titanium is generally more prone to scratches and surface wear than stainless steel. Although titanium has a higher surface hardness, it is softer(lighter) and isn’t allowed, unlike stainless steel.
That said, depending on the application, titanium’s oxide layer can quickly repair damage due to small scratches, restoring the surface to its initial conditions.
Summary of Differences
| Major Diff | Stainless Steel | Titanium |
| Composition | Varies, depending on the alloying process. | Purified titanium |
| Strength and Durability | One of the strongest alloys available | Relatively stronger and about 3 to 4 times more durable |
| Corrosion Resistance | Resistant to general oxidation corrosion and rust | Excellent resistance to localized corrosion |
| Weight | Roughly 55% heavier than titanium of the same mass | About 45% lighter than steel of the same mass |
| Cost | Relatively cheaper | Can be prohibitively costly — expensive to form and industrialize |
| Application | Architecture, kitchenware, jewelry, and automotive applications. | Aerospace, medical, manufacturing |
| Scratch | High scratch resistance | Softer, more prone to scratch |
Stainless Steel Over Titanium
There are many similarities between the properties of titanium and stainless steel. The two metals are as distinct as they are similar, particularly regarding their industrial applications.
Here we’ll look at some advantages of stainless steel over titanium and applications where these advantages are best served.
Machinability
Stainless steel is easier to machine and more malleable than titanium. If you’re doing a project that requires precision machining, stainless steel is probably your best bet.
It is easier to drill, cut, and weld stainless steel than titanium. Performing these machine actions with titanium will require specialized equipment and techniques.
This makes stainless steel a more practical choice for applications where customization and fabrication are essential.
Availability
It is also worth mentioning that stainless steel is more easily accessible than titanium. You can easily procure the former compared with the latter.
Stainless steel can be found in a wide range of grades and sizes, which makes it easier to source depending on your needs.
The average consumer has easier access due to its widespread use in various industries and everyday applications such as kitchenware and appliances.
Aesthetic Appeal
Stainless steel has an attractive, shiny appearance that makes it a popular choice for applications where aesthetic appeal is essential, such as in architecture and kitchenware.
Getting stainless steel to the final polished mirror-like finish is easy and comes at little to no extra cost. The alloy’s clean, modern look, combined with its low cost and availability, makes it a preferred option over other materials.
Summary of best features
| Machinability | Availability | Aesthetic Appeal | |
| Stainless Steel | Easily machinable and easy to form | Readily available with different grades | Comes with a shiny and exotic finish as part of the manufacturing process |
| Titanium | Requires specialized equipment for forming and mechanization. | Not as commercially abundant as stainless steel | Requires additional work to match SS exotic finish |
Titanium Over Stainless Steel
Conversely, let’s quickly review some advantages of titanium over stainless steel and applications where these advantages are best served.
Lightweight
Titanium is much lighter than stainless steel, making it an ideal choice for applications where weight is a critical factor.
This makes it a critical resource for the automotive and aerospace industries, where reducing weight is crucial for enhancing performance and fuel efficiency.
Biocompatibility
Titanium is biocompatible, meaning you can use it in medical implants and prosthetics without causing adverse reactions in the body.
It is also commonly used in dental implants and joint replacements due to its capacity to blend harmlessly with bone tissue.
Even better, each titanium replacement can provide the strength required for the body part they are substituting.
Non-Magnetic
Titanium is non-magnetic. If your project has zero magnetic interference tolerance but requires structural strength that only metals can provide, titanium is the optimal choice.
For example, titanium is commonly used in the production of MRI machines, which require structurally sound yet non-magnetic materials to avoid interference with the magnetic field.
High-Temperature Resistance
Titanium can withstand exposure to high temperatures without losing its strength or becoming deformed or shattered. Stainless steel, not so much.
Therefore, if you’re dealing with projects where a high-temperature gradient is a critical factor, titanium is ideal. Titanium’s high fatigue resistance makes it highly sought after in the aerospace and manufacturing industries.
Summary of best features
| Lightweight | Biocompatibility | Non-Magnetic | High-Temperature Resistance | |
| Titanium | High strength-to-weight ratio | Nontoxic and smoothly integrates with the human body | Slightly paramagnetic, but with zero magnetic properties | Maintains optimal performance even at high temperature |
| Stainless Steel | Low strength-to-weight ratio | Zero biocompatibility | Has strong magnetic properties | Susceptible to shearing and deforming at high temperature |
Conclusion
After all, is said, stainless steel and titanium are two popular materials used in various industries due to their unique properties.
Ultimately, both materials offer distinct benefits and can be applied in a variety of ways to produce the desired effects.
Nevertheless, choosing the most suitable material will depend on your specific needs, and careful consideration of its advantages and limitations is necessary.
