Material Basics Titanium Properties: Strength, Density, Corrosion Resistance, and More 4 min read • Updated September 2026 Titanium's properties, which include a combination of high strength, stiffness, toughness, low density, and good corrosion resistance, are delivered by various titanium alloys across a wide temperature range, from very low to elevated temperatures. This unique blend of titanium properties allows significant weight savings in aerospace structures and other high-performance applications. Physical and Mechanical Titanium Properties The atomic weight of titanium is 47.88. Titanium is lightweight, strong, corrosion resistant, and abundant in nature. Titanium and its alloys offer tensile strengths ranging from 30,000 psi to 200,000 psi (210 to 1380 MPa), which are comparable to the strengths found in most alloy steels. As a low-density element, at approximately 60% of the density of iron, titanium can be strengthened through alloying and deformation processing. It is nonmagnetic and has good heat-transfer properties. Its coefficient of thermal expansion is somewhat lower than that of steel and less than half that of aluminum. Titanium's High Melting Point One of titanium's most useful properties is its high melting point of 3135°F (1725°C). This is approximately 400°F above the melting point of steel and roughly 2000°F above that of aluminum, making titanium well suited to high-temperature applications. Corrosion Resistance and Biocompatibility Titanium can be passivated, giving it a high degree of immunity to attack by most mineral acids and chlorides. It is also nontoxic and generally biologically compatible with human tissue and bone. This excellent corrosion resistance and biocompatibility, combined with strength, make titanium and its alloys valuable in chemical and petrochemical applications, marine environments, and biomaterial applications. Electrical Conductivity and Resistance of Titanium Titanium is not a good conductor of electricity. If the conductivity of copper is taken as 100%, titanium has a conductivity of only 3.1%. For this reason, titanium is not used in applications where good electrical conductivity is a primary requirement. By comparison, stainless steel has a conductivity of 3.5% and aluminum has a conductivity of 30%. Electrical resistance is the opposition a material presents to the flow of electrons. Because titanium is a poor conductor, it follows that it is a fairly good resistor. Table 1: Relationship Between Titanium Properties, Engineering Benefits, and Typical Applications Titanium Property Engineering Benefit Typical Applications High strength Supports high mechanical loads while minimizing component size Aerospace structures, structural components, high-performance fasteners Low density Reduces overall weight while maintaining structural performance Aircraft, spacecraft, high-performance transportation equipment High strength-to-weight ratio Enables lightweight designs without sacrificing strength Airframes, jet engine components, racing and performance engineering Excellent corrosion resistance Provides long service life in aggressive environments with minimal maintenance Marine equipment, chemical processing equipment, offshore structures High melting point Maintains mechanical integrity at elevated temperatures Jet engine components, gas turbines, high-temperature industrial equipment Biocompatibility Compatible with human tissue and bone with excellent corrosion resistance in the body Orthopedic implants, dental implants, surgical devices Nonmagnetic behavior Suitable for environments where magnetic interference must be minimized MRI-compatible medical devices, scientific instruments, precision equipment Poor electrical conductivity Offers relatively high electrical resistance compared with highly conductive metals Specialized electrical components where conductivity is not required