Titanium

Description

Titanium 6Al-4V (Ti6Al4V, Grade 5) is the most widely used titanium alloy in 3D metal printing. It is composed of titanium (88-90%), aluminum (5.5-6.5%) and vanadium (3.5-4.5%). It is printed with technology DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) on EOS industrial machines, with an accuracy of 30-40 µm per layer.

Titanium-based alloys are extremely hard and highly resistant to oxidation, acids and corrosion. The melting point is very high (1,660°C). Titanium Ti6Al4V has a very low toxicity and is biocompatible, making it suitable for medical applications such as implants, prosthetics, and customized surgical devices.

Material characteristics

With a density of 4.41 g/cm³, Titanium is significantly lighter than steel while offering excellent mechanical strength. Its strength-to-weight ratio is among the highest of all 3D printing metals, making it ideal for lightweight structural components in the aerospace, automotive, and industrial sectors.

The printed parts have a matte and slightly rough surface. Compared with the other materials for metal 3D printing, titanium has a medium surface roughness.

As for the’aluminum, metal 3D printing requires support structures to anchor the part to the platform and dissipate thermal stress. These structures are mechanically removed after printing.

Finishing and post-processing

Raw (crude) – The piece is sandblasted to remove residual dust and supports. The surface is matte and slightly rough. This is the standard option.

Polishing and grinding – the surface can be mechanically polished, ground or smoothed to achieve a smooth, shiny finish.

Mechanical machining (CNC) – for surfaces with precise tolerances, threads or mechanical fits, 3D printing can be integrated with turning, milling, drilling and tapping.

Heat treatment – Titanium parts are subjected to stress relief under vacuum after printing. Further heat treatments (HIP, aging) can optimize mechanical properties.

For custom finishes, specific surface treatments or particular certifications, contact us for a dedicated consultation.

When to choose titanium 3D printing

Additive manufacturing in titanium requires a high level of technical expertise and significant production costs. It's the optimal choice when the project requires complex geometries impossible to achieve with traditional machining, when the weight of a structural component needs to be reduced, or when specific properties such as biocompatibility or corrosion resistance in extreme environments are required.

Typical application sectors: aerospace (brackets, supports, ducts), medical (custom implants, prostheses, surgical instruments), automotive (high-performance components), industrial (valves, pumps, heat exchangers).

For simpler geometries, traditional machining of titanium can be more economical.

Maximum printable volume: 250 × 250 × 325 mm

You can not insert multiple objects into a single template / file.

Main features

• Moving and articulated parts: No (DMLS process does not allow moving parts)
• Support structures: Yes, requested and removed after printing
• Watertight: Yes (fully melted material, density ≥ 99.5%)
• Biocompatible: Yes
• For food: No
• Recyclable: Yes
• Layer thickness: 0.03–0.04 mm (30–40 µm)
• Density: 4.41 g/cm³

To find out all the rules to follow to create a model with this material, consult the sheet Technical details.

For a complete guide to file preparation, read our 3D printing guide.

Modeling Guides

To prepare a 3D model suitable for titanium printing, you can follow our guides:

• Autodesk Fusion – ideal for mechanical design and generative design
• Rhinoceros – for industrial design, jewelry and architecture
• Blender – for organic forms and digital sculpture

If your model was generated with AI, check out our guide on How to 3D print AI-generated models.