Titanium fasteners offer a unique combination of high strength, low weight (40% lighter than steel), and excellent corrosion resistance. The most common fastener alloy is Ti-6Al-4V (Grade 5), with a tensile strength of ~1000 MPa and proof stress around 830 MPa — comparable to steel class 10.9 but at 56% of the weight.
Titanium bolts are used where weight savings justify the 10–20× cost premium over steel: aerospace, motorsport, high-end cycling, and medical devices.
With anti-seize, K ≈ 0.14. Titanium MUST be lubricated — dry titanium-on-titanium galls worse than stainless.
| Size | N·m | ft·lbs | vs Steel 10.9 |
|---|---|---|---|
| M5 | 5.0 | 3.7 | ~70% |
| M6 | 9.0 | 6.6 | ~70% |
| M8 | 22 | 16 | ~69% |
| M10 | 44 | 32 | ~68% |
| M12 | 76 | 56 | ~68% |
| M16 | 185 | 136 | ~68% |
Always lubricate. Titanium galls severely when dry. Use titanium-specific anti-seize (copper or nickel based, never aluminum). Failure to lubricate will seize the bolt on first tightening.
Never use steel tools on titanium threads. Steel particles embedded in titanium create galvanic corrosion cells. Use titanium or properly coated taps and dies only.
Watch for counterfeits. The high price of Ti-6Al-4V has created a counterfeit market. Genuine aerospace-grade titanium bolts come with material certifications (mill certs). If the price seems too good to be true, the bolt is likely commercial-grade titanium (Grade 2, much weaker) or even stainless steel.