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Titanium Ti-5553 · heat-treated state

Titanium Ti-5553 BASCA

Properties of the BASCA condition, compared with the other Ti-5553 tempers.

Pick for very thick landing-gear forgings where fracture toughness and section-size uniformity dominate over ultimate strength.

CNC machiningSheet metalSpecialty cost $$$$$

What is Ti-5553 BASCA?

Ti-5553 BASCA is Ti-5553 heat treated to BASCA — pick for very thick landing-gear forgings where fracture toughness and section-size uniformity dominate over ultimate strength. Ti-5553 BASCA has a yield strength of 1,020 MPa (148 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 94% of titanium grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi). Ti-5553 BASCA has a density of 4.65 g/cm³ (0.168 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of titanium grades. It melts at 1,580°C (2,876 °F). O is the default condition FabDigit quotes; BASCA is available on request or by drawing note.

Advantages

  • Tough — resists crack growth — 95 MPa·√m (86.5 ksi·√in), better than 100% of titanium grades
  • High strength — 1,020 MPa (148 ksi), better than 94% of titanium grades

Limitations

  • Difficult to machine — 14/100, worse than 100% of titanium grades
  • Hard to polish — 60/100, worse than 97% of titanium grades
  • Difficult to weld — 35/100, worse than 96% of titanium grades
  • Limited ductility — 10%, worse than 93% of titanium grades

Ti-5553 BASCA properties

Typical room-temperature values for Ti-5553 BASCA — 10 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every Ti-5553 temper. Each bar shows where the value sits among the titanium grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.

Physical3

Ti-5553 BASCA has a density of 4.65 g/cm³ (0.168 lb/in³), heavier than 90% of titanium grades. It melts at 1,580°C (2,876 °F).

Density4.65 g/cm³0.17 lb/in³
Melting Point (Solidus)1,580°C2,876 °F
Liquidus Temperature1,640°C2,984 °F

Mechanical16

Ti-5553 BASCA has a yield strength of 1,020 MPa (148 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 94% of titanium grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 105 GPa (15.2 Msi).

Elastic (Young's) Modulus105 GPa15.2 Msi
Shear Modulus40 GPa5.8 Msi
Bulk Modulus105 GPa15.2 Msi
Poisson's Ratio0.33
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)1,100 MPa160 ksi
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)1,020 MPa148 ksi
Elongation at Break10%
Reduction in Area25%
Compressive Strength940 MPa136 ksi
Shear Strength600 MPa87 ksi
Fatigue Strength (Endurance Limit)500 MPa72.5 ksi
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)95 MPa·√m86.5 ksi·√in
Charpy V-Notch Impact (RT)18 J13.3 ft·lbf
Hardness, Brinell305 HB
Hardness, Rockwell C36 HRC
Hardness, Vickers350 HV

Thermal6

Ti-5553 BASCA is rated for continuous service to 300°C (572 °F). It conducts heat at 7 W/m·K (4.04 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 76% of titanium grades. Thermal expansion is 9.3 µm/m·K (5.17 µin/in·°F).

Thermal Conductivity7 W/m·K4 BTU/hr·ft·°F
Specific Heat Capacity500 J/kg·K0.12 BTU/lb·°F
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)9.3 µm/m·K5.2 µin/in·°F
Latent Heat of Fusion360 J/g155 BTU/lb
Max Service Temperature (continuous)300°C572 °F
Min Service Temperature-196°C-321 °F

Electrical3

Ti-5553 BASCA conducts electricity at 1.1 % IACS, worse than 67% of titanium grades.

Electrical Conductivity1.1 % IACS
Electrical Resistivity1.55×10⁻⁶ Ω·m61 µΩ·in
Magnetic Responsenon-magnetic

Chemical & Environmental3

Corrosion resistance is excellent (88/100), worse than 77% of titanium grades.

Galvanic Potential (seawater, vs SCE)-0.1 V
Corrosion ResistanceExcellent88/100
Chemical Resistance SummaryExcellent in seawater, chlorides, oxidising acids and most organics thanks to a stable TiO₂ film; attacked by HF, hot concentrated HCl/H₂SO₄ and dry chlorine; avoid hot chloride salt contact (stress-corrosion) and cadmium/mercury contact.

Sustainability4

Producing a kilogram of Ti-5553 BASCA takes about 650 MJ of energy and emits 42 kg of CO₂ — less than 75% of titanium grades. Typical recycled content is 25%.

Embodied Energy (primary production)650 MJ/kg279,450 BTU/lb
Embodied Carbon (primary production)42 kg CO₂/kg
Embodied Water800 L/kg95.9 gal/lb
Typical Recycled Content25%

Manufacturability8

Ti-5553 BASCA's machinability is not recommended (14/100, worse than 100% of titanium grades); weldability fair (35/100); formability poor (30/100).

MachinabilityNot recommended14/100
Machinability Rating (AISI 1212 = 100 %)16%
WeldabilityFair35/100
Formability (cold)Poor30/100
CastabilityPoor25/100
Brazeability / SolderabilityPoor30/100
PolishabilityGood60/100
Anodizing Responsefair to good — titanium anodising (AMS 2488 Type II) for galling/fretting resistance and colour interference anodising possible; not a hard-coat like aluminium.

Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.

Other Ti-5553 tempers and conditions

Ti-5553 is also supplied in 6 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the Ti-5553 overview.

Working with Ti-5553 BASCA

Is Ti-5553 easy to machine?

Very difficult: rigid setups, sharp uncoated-carbide or PVD-coated tools, low surface speed (15–30 m/min aged), heavy feed, high-pressure flood coolant, no dwelling — rough machine in ST condition and finish after aging with light depth to avoid white layer.

Can Ti-5553 be welded?

GTAW/plasma/EB weldable with full inert-gas or vacuum shielding and matching filler, but the HAZ loses aged strength; post-weld solution treat plus age is normally required, so welding is avoided on primary structure.

Can Ti-5553 be formed, bent or molded?

Forge and hot-form just below the β transus (~805–855 °C) with tight temperature control to set α morphology; cold forming is impractical except mild bending in the solution-treated condition.

What surface finishes work on Ti-5553?

Grit-blast/pickle (HNO₃–HF) to remove alpha case after hot work, shot peen for fatigue life; titanium anodise (AMS 2488) or ion-plating/dry-film lube for fretting and galling; never plate cadmium and avoid chlorinated cleaners before heat treatment.

Ti-5553 chemical composition (wt %)

Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.

ElementSpec limit (wt %)Nominal
Alα-stabiliser4.4 – 5.75
V4 – 5.55
Mo4 – 5.55
Cr2.5 – 3.53
Feintentional β-stabiliser addition0.3 – 0.50.4
Ointerstitial, controls strength0.1 – 0.180.15
C≤ 0.04
N≤ 0.05
Hmax (0.0125 typical for forgings)≤ 0.02
Y≤ 0.01
Other, eachresiduals, total 0.40 max≤ 0.1
Tibalance

Ti-5553 BASCA — frequently asked

What is Ti-5553 BASCA used for?

Ti-5553 BASCA is typically used for aerospace landing gear forgings, high-strength airframe fasteners, wing-to-body and pylon fittings, actuator components and pistons, slat and flap track structures and machined structural clevises and lugs. In short: premium β-titanium forging.

What is the yield strength of Ti-5553 BASCA?

Ti-5553 BASCA has a typical yield strength of 1,020 MPa (148 ksi) and a tensile strength of 1,100 MPa (160 ksi) — stronger than 94% of titanium grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 7 listed tempers.

Is Ti-5553 BASCA easy to machine?

Not especially — machinability is rated not recommended (14/100, worse than 100% of titanium grades). Very difficult: rigid setups, sharp uncoated-carbide or PVD-coated tools, low surface speed (15–30 m/min aged), heavy feed, high-pressure flood coolant, no dwelling — rough machine in ST condition and finish after aging with light depth to avoid white layer.

Can Ti-5553 BASCA be welded?

With care — weldability is rated fair (35/100). GTAW/plasma/EB weldable with full inert-gas or vacuum shielding and matching filler, but the HAZ loses aged strength; post-weld solution treat plus age is normally required, so welding is avoided on primary structure.

What surface finishes work on Ti-5553 BASCA?

Grit-blast/pickle (HNO₃–HF) to remove alpha case after hot work, shot peen for fatigue life; titanium anodise (AMS 2488) or ion-plating/dry-film lube for fretting and galling; never plate cadmium and avoid chlorinated cleaners before heat treatment.

Can Ti-5553 BASCA be formed, bent or molded?

Forge and hot-form just below the β transus (~805–855 °C) with tight temperature control to set α morphology; cold forming is impractical except mild bending in the solution-treated condition.

What is the maximum service temperature of Ti-5553 BASCA?

Ti-5553 BASCA is rated for continuous use to about 300°C (572 °F). Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.

What is the difference between Ti-5553-O and Ti-5553 STA-HS?

O is the default condition — standard as-supplied mill condition for bar, billet and forging stock; balanced strength and ductility before final aging. STA-HS: choose when peak strength matters more than toughness (small, low-K-critical parts, fasteners, actuator components). Yield strength is 900 MPa in O versus 1,240 MPa in STA-HS.

Can FabDigit make parts in Ti-5553 BASCA?

Yes — Ti-5553 BASCA is available for CNC machining and sheet metal with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.

Sources

  1. AMS 6932 — Titanium Alloy Forgings, 5Al-5V-5Mo-3CrSAE International (2018)
  2. AMS 4983 — Ti-5Al-5V-5Mo-3Cr Bar and BilletSAE International (2017)
  3. ASM Handbook Vol. 2 — Properties and Selection: Nonferrous AlloysASM International (1990)
  4. Titanium: A Technical Guide, 2nd ed. (metastable β alloys)ASM International (2000)
  5. Ti-5Al-5V-5Mo-3Cr (Ti-5553) alloy dataTIMET / VSMPO-AVISMA (2020)

Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.