Titanium Strip & Foil Coils (TC4 / Ti-6Al-4V, Grade 5): Thickness, Width and Uses

Quick answer: "TC4" is the Chinese GB grade for Ti–6Al–4V, the world's most used titanium alloy and the Western "Grade 5". The coils in our warehouse are thin titanium strip and foil — labels read thickness × width in mm and net weight, e.g. "0.25×310" (0.25 mm thick, 310 mm wide) down to "0.08×300" foil and up to "0.5×320". TC4 strip combines high strength-to-weight, corrosion resistance and a ~890 MPa tensile, but it is less formable than pure Grade 2, so it suits structural and aerospace skins, heat-exchanger and cladding stock rather than deep drawing. Specify TC4 / Grade 5, thickness, width, temper, surface (often film/paper-wrapped as shown) and coil weight.

What TC4 / Ti–6Al–4V is

TC4 (GB) = Ti–6Al–4V = ASTM Grade 5 — an α+β titanium alloy with 6% aluminium and 4% vanadium. It is the workhorse of aerospace and is increasingly used anywhere strength-to-weight and corrosion matter.

Reading the coil labels

The label format is thickness × width, with net weight (净重) stated in kg. Below about 0.1–0.15 mm the material is properly called foil; 0.15–0.5 mm is strip.

Strip vs foil vs sheet

These are coiled strip/foil, supplied on a core and usually stretch-wrapped with protective paper/film, as in the photo.

Properties of TC4 strip

Its density is roughly 60% of steel, so a TC4 part weighs about 40% less than the steel equivalent at similar strength.

Where TC4 strip and foil are used

• Aerospace skins, brackets and formed components.
• Heat-exchanger and condenser strip.
• Titanium-clad (explosion/roll-bonded) feedstock.
• Medical implants and instruments (biocompatible).
• Welded bellows, diaphragms and sensor parts.
• Additive / melting feedstock at foil thickness.

For applications needing deep drawing or extreme formability, pure Grade 2 titanium is the easier choice; for joining strip, see our Ti–6Al–4V welding-wire guide.

Forming and handling cautions

• Springback is high — TC4 wants more press force and bounce-back than steel or Grade 2.
• Work-hardens; anneal between heavy forming steps.
• Surface contamination (Fe, Cl) causes embrittlement at heat — keep dedicated tooling and clean edges.
• Edge quality matters on thin foil; burrs cause tear propagation.

TC4 strip / foil RFQ checklist

1. Grade: TC4 (GB) / Grade 5 (ASTM B265) / Ti–6Al–4V.
2. Thickness (mm), width (mm), and coil or cut-length.
3. Temper: annealed (M), or cold-worked for higher strength.
4. Surface: as-rolled, bright, or film/paper protected.
5. Coil weight and ID/OD, quantity.
6. Standard: ASTM B265 / GB/T 3621; confirm on the MTC.

FAQ

Q: Is TC4 the same as Grade 5 titanium? A: Yes. TC4 is the Chinese GB designation; Ti–6Al–4V / Grade 5 is the international name. Same 6% Al, 4% V chemistry.

Q: What is the difference between strip and foil here? A: It is a thickness line: below ~0.1 mm we call it foil, 0.1–0.5 mm strip. The labels "0.08×300" are foil; "0.5×320" is strip.

Q: Can I deep-draw TC4 strip like steel? A: Poorly — Grade 5 has high strength and springback and is not a deep-drawing alloy. For forming, choose pure Grade 2 unless you need the strength.

Q: Why is the coil wrapped in film and paper? A: Thin titanium scratches and picks up iron contamination easily; the wrap protects the bright surface and edges during handling and shipping.

Q: How do I estimate coil weight? A: Width(mm) × thickness(mm) × length(m) × 0.00443 (density) ≈ kg; or use our weight calculator with the titanium density.