1. Introduction
In the past 48 hours, additive manufacturing companies have reported surging demand for high-purity spherical titanium powder, driven by aerospace contracts requiring lightweight, high-strength components. This renewed interest highlights titanium powder’s critical role in next-generation manufacturing—and why understanding its types, costs, and sources matters more than ever.
Whether you’re an engineer sourcing materials for 3D printing or a researcher exploring advanced ceramics, titanium powder is a versatile and high-performance material. But with so many variants—from pure titanium powder to complex alloys like ti6al4v powder—it can be overwhelming to navigate the market. Let’s break it all down.
2. What Is Titanium Powder?
Titanium powder, often referred to as ti powder, is a fine particulate form of titanium metal or its compounds. It appears as a grayish metallic dust and comes in various morphologies: irregular (from HDH processing) or spherical (from gas atomization). While elemental titanium powder is used in metallurgy and pyrotechnics, engineered variants like tio2 powder (titanium dioxide) serve entirely different roles in cosmetics, paints, and sunscreens.
It’s important not to confuse titanium metal powder with tio2 nano powder—though both contain titanium, their chemical properties and applications differ drastically. Pure titanium powder is reactive and used in structural applications, whereas tio2 is chemically stable and widely used as a white pigment.
3. How Is Titanium Powder Made?
The two dominant production methods are Hydride-Dehydride (HDH) and gas atomization. HDH titanium powder is cost-effective and ideal for pressing and sintering, but it yields angular particles. In contrast, gas atomized titanium powder produces spherical particles essential for smooth flow in additive manufacturing processes.
For specialized applications, other forms like tih2 powder (titanium hydride) are used as foaming agents or precursors. Meanwhile, burnt titanium powder coat isn’t a standard industrial term—likely a confusion with powder coating on titanium parts, which is possible but requires surface pretreatment due to titanium’s passive oxide layer.
4. Key Types and Alloys
Beyond pure titanium powder, several engineered powders dominate industrial use:
- ti6al4v powder (also called ti64 powder): The most common titanium alloy powder, used extensively in aerospace and medical implants.
- titanium nitride powder and titanium carbide powder: Extremely hard ceramics used in cutting tools and wear-resistant coatings.
- tib2 powder (titanium diboride powder or titanium boride powder): Known for high hardness and electrical conductivity, used in armor and cathodes.
- titanium nanopowder and tio2 nano powder: Used in catalysis, sensors, and UV-blocking formulations.
- titanium flash powder: A pyrotechnic mix (not pure titanium) that creates bright sparks—handle with extreme caution as fine titanium dust can be pyrophoric.
- titanium coated diamond powder: Combines diamond abrasiveness with titanium’s bonding affinity, useful in grinding tools.
5. Titanium Powder for 3D Printing
Additive manufacturing has revolutionized demand for titanium powder. Spherical titanium powder with tight particle size distribution (typically 15–45 microns) is required for laser powder bed fusion. Ti6al4v powder is the go-to alloy here due to its excellent strength-to-weight ratio and biocompatibility.
When evaluating titanium powder for 3d printing, look for low oxygen content (<1000 ppm) and high sphericity. The titanium powder for 3d printing price varies widely based on purity and morphology—expect to pay anywhere from $300 to $800 per kg for aerospace-grade material.
6. Pricing and Market Trends
Titanium powder price per kg depends heavily on type, purity, and production method. Pure titanium powder may cost $100–$250/kg, while high-spec spherical ti6al4v powder for aerospace can exceed $600/kg. The titanium metal powder price is generally higher than bulk titanium sponge due to processing costs.
Factors influencing titanium powder cost include raw material availability, energy-intensive production, and certification requirements (e.g., ASTM F3049 for 3D printing). Prices for niche powders like titanium diboride price or titanium nitride powder are even higher due to limited suppliers and complex synthesis.
7. Where to Buy and Major Suppliers
Reputable titanium powder suppliers include international titanium powder producers like VSMPO-AVISMA, Carpenter Technology, and Sandvik. When you buy titanium powder, verify certifications, particle size reports, and oxygen content—especially for critical applications.
Many suppliers also offer titanium powder for sale online, but beware of uncertified material. Always request a certificate of analysis. For research quantities, specialty chemical vendors may provide small batches of titanium nanopowder or tio2 powder.
8. Related Industrial Metal Powders
While titanium powder dominates high-performance sectors, it exists alongside other strategic metal powders. Molybdenum powder (moly powder), including molybdenum disulfide powder (mos2 powder) and tzm powder, is vital for high-temp alloys and lubricants. Similarly, tungsten powder—especially spherical tungsten powder and tungsten carbide powder—is essential for heavy alloys, cutting tools, and radiation shielding.
Companies like Global Tungsten & Powders Corporation supply high density tungsten powder and fused tungsten carbide powder globally. Like titanium, these materials have strict quality controls, and their powder price per kg reflects purity and application demands.
9. Safety and Handling
Fine titanium dust is flammable and can ignite spontaneously in air—store under inert atmosphere. Always follow OSHA guidelines for metal powder handling. Unlike tio2 powder (generally recognized as safe in cosmetics), elemental titanium powder requires industrial safety protocols.
10. Conclusion
From life-saving medical implants to jet engines and next-gen batteries, titanium powder is a cornerstone of modern advanced manufacturing. Understanding the differences between pure titanium powder, ti6al4v powder, and specialty variants like titanium carbide or diboride ensures you select the right material for your needs. With prices varying significantly by grade and form, partnering with a trusted titanium powder supplier is key to balancing performance and cost.
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