CNC Grinding Titanium

CNC Grinding Titanium is a core capability at VT machining. We combine controlled grinding with material-aware setup for Titanium — an alloy that is high strength-to-weight, biocompatible, corrosion resistant — to produce parts that meet your specification first time.

CNC Grinding Titanium at VT machining
CNC Grinding Titanium — produced in-house at VT machining

CNC Grinding Capability for Titanium

  • Surface finish to Ra 0.1–0.4 µm
  • Dimensional tolerance to ±0.002 mm
  • Flatness/parallelism within 0.005 mm
  • Wheel grit selected per alloy hardness

Titanium Material Data

Titanium — typical properties, quoted for Ti-6Al-4V (Gr 5)
Density4.43 g/cm³
Tensile strength950 MPa
Yield strength (0.2%)880 MPa
Hardness334 HB / 36 HRC
Melting point1604–1660 °C
Thermal conductivity6.7 W/m·K
Thermal expansion8.6 ×10⁻⁶/K
Electrical conductivity3.1%
Machinability (C36000 = 100%)22%
Grades we runGr 1, Gr 2 (CP), Gr 5 Ti-6Al-4V, Gr 23 ELI, Gr 7, Gr 9

Published typical values for Ti-6Al-4V (Gr 5). Other grades in the family differ — the certificate supplied with your order carries the actual heat-lot figures.

Machining Titanium — what actually causes trouble

Heat has nowhere to go — thermal conductivity is 1/25th of aluminium, so it all goes into the tool. Low surface speed, heavy feed, flood coolant, and the cutter never stops moving.

How CNC Grinding Titanium Works

An abrasive wheel removes a fine, controlled layer from the Titanium part. Wheel specification, dressing interval, infeed and coolant are matched to the alloy's hardness so the surface is not burned or left with residual stress.

Programming is driven directly by your 3D model or print. Work-holding, tool selection and the cutting strategy are planned around the critical features and the material before the first chip is cut. First-off inspection confirms the process is centred before production continues.

Achievable Tolerances for CNC Grinding Titanium

CNC Grinding Titanium — achievable tolerances
FeatureStandardPrecision
Size (OD, ID, thickness)±0.005 mm±0.002 mm
Flatness over 100 mm0.010 mm0.003 mm
Parallelism0.010 mm0.003 mm
Roundness0.005 mm0.002 mm
Squareness0.010 mm0.005 mm
Surface finishRa 0.4 µmRa 0.1 µm
Workpiece hardnessup to 62 HRCup to 65 HRC

Standard is what a normal quotation assumes. Precision is available on nominated features and is priced separately, because it needs extra setups, in-process gauging and CMM verification. Call out only the features that need it — blanket-tightening a drawing is the single most common reason a quote comes back expensive.

CNC Grinding Tolerances & Surface Finish

Ground Titanium reaches single-micron tolerances on size, flatness and parallelism, with surface finishes down to Ra 0.1–0.4 µm — and a near-mirror finish on suitable alloys.

Exact achievable figures depend on the alloy, the feature size and the part geometry. Tell us which dimensions are critical and we will advise feasibility up front.

Secondary Operations & Finishing

Finished Titanium parts can move straight into secondary operations under one roof. Typical add-ons are deburring, passivation, anodising, plating, blasting, polishing and laser marking. We coordinate the whole chain so you receive complete, inspection-ready parts.

CNC Grinding Quality & Inspection

We control quality throughout the process, not just at the end. In-process checks plus final inspection — including CMM where specified — keep every Titanium part to print. Inspection reports, material certificates and first-article documentation can be supplied on request.

Design Tips for CNC Grinding Titanium

We are happy to suggest design tweaks that improve manufacturability. Allowing adequate grind stock, specifying realistic flatness over the true datum, and relieving corners help us hit tight tolerances on Titanium efficiently. If you send your model early, we will return practical DFM feedback before you commit to production.

Working with Titanium

As a material, Titanium is high strength-to-weight, biocompatible, corrosion resistant. Our setup reflects the alloy's machinability so the finished part is accurate and free of avoidable defects.

We verify the exact grade and condition before machining, and traceable mill certs are available on request. We can work to your nominated material source or specification when required.

Applications of CNC Grinding Titanium

Customers order CNC Grinding Titanium components for everything from instrumentation to structural and functional assemblies. Whether you need a single prototype or recurring production volume, the same process discipline applies.

How to Order CNC Grinding Titanium

Getting a quote is simple. Share your model, the material grade, your quantity and target tolerances. You receive a clear quotation with lead time and honest manufacturability feedback.

Parts We Have Run in Titanium

Three representative CNC Grinding Titanium jobs, with the callouts that actually drove the process plan. Yours will differ — these are here so you can judge whether your part is in our range before you spend time on an RFQ.

Lapping plate

Material
Titanium
Size
300 × 300 × 30 mm
Key callouts
Flatness 0.005 mm over the full face
Batch
20 pcs

Ground, stress-relieved, ground again — one pass will not hold flatness on this area.

Punch tool

Material
Titanium
Size
Ø10 × 60 mm
Key callouts
OD ±0.002 mm, roundness 0.002 mm, Ra 0.1 µm
Batch
300 pcs

Cylindrical ground after hardening to 60 HRC — machining soft would not hold the size.

Gauge block set

Material
Titanium
Size
50 × 30 × 10 mm
Key callouts
Thickness ±0.002 mm, flatness 0.002 mm, parallelism 0.002 mm
Batch
200 pcs

Ground wet in one chucking, then left to normalise before final inspection at 20 °C.

Finishing Options for Titanium

Finishing options available with this material
FinishThickness / effectWhy it gets specified
Type II anodiseColour coding, biocompatible
Type III anodiseAnti-galling for threaded and sliding parts
PassivationASTM F86 for implant-grade parts
Electropolish5–20 µm removedRemoves the machining layer for medical use
Deburr / edge break0.05–0.3 mmAll parts unless the drawing says otherwise
Bead blastRa 1.6–3.2 µmUniform matt finish, hides tool marks
Laser markingPart number, lot code, data matrix
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No drawing yet? Build one in the browser.

Set the metal, dimensions and features, watch the 3D model update as you type, then switch to the 2D sheet to add dimensions and tolerances. Download it or send it straight to us with your RFQ.

Open the 3D + 2D Builder

What We Need to Quote CNC Grinding Titanium

  • GeometrySTEP or IGES for the 3D model, plus a PDF drawing if you have tolerance callouts. A dimensioned sketch is enough to start.
  • MaterialThe exact Titanium grade and condition — temper, heat-treat state or hardness. If you are not sure, tell us the function and we will suggest one.
  • QuantityPrototype count and the expected annual volume. Both change how the part is made and therefore what it costs.
  • TolerancesWhich features are critical. Everything else runs to our standard tolerance, which is what keeps the price sensible.
  • FinishSurface treatment, cosmetic requirements, and any faces that must be masked.
  • DocumentsWhether you need a material certificate, dimensional report, FAIR or PPAP with the shipment.

Missing something from the list is not a problem — send what you have. We will come back with the specific questions rather than a generic form.

Other Metals for CNC Grinding

Other Processes for Titanium

Send the drawing, the Titanium grade and the quantity. You get pricing, lead time and any DFM notes back — usually within one business day.

Request a Quote

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Titanium a good choice for CNC Grinding?

Titanium is high strength-to-weight, biocompatible, corrosion resistant, which makes it well suited to CNC Grinding. We tune the process to the alloy so the finished Titanium grinding part meets your dimensional and functional requirements.

Can VT machining make custom Titanium parts to my drawing?

Yes. Titanium Titanium grinding is made to order from your CAD/2D drawing. Share your geometry, material grade, tolerance and quantity and we will confirm feasibility, lead time and pricing.

How clean are the edges produced by CNC Grinding on Titanium?

Machined Titanium edges are clean and to specification; edge-break or deburring is added when your drawing calls for it.

What surface finish is achievable on Titanium with CNC Grinding?

Grinding can take Titanium to a fine finish — typically Ra 0.1–0.4 µm, and to a mirror grade on suitable alloys.

Does CNC Grinding Titanium require dedicated tooling?

Most Titanium grinding work uses standard cutting tools and CNC programs; dedicated fixtures are made only when geometry or volume requires them.