Contents

1. Scope and coverage
2. Grade selection by application
3. Chemical composition
4. Mechanical properties
5. Dimensional tolerances
6. Surface condition and finish
7. Procurement checklist
8. Frequently asked questions

1. Scope and Coverage

ASTM B265 covers titanium and titanium alloy strip, sheet and plate — the three thickness-banded flat-rolled product forms that together account for the majority of titanium consumed in chemical processing, marine, heat exchanger, aerospace and medical applications. The standard applies to commercially pure titanium (Grades 1 through 4) and a wide range of alloy grades (5, 7, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 and 38).

For industrial procurement, however, the active grades are far narrower. Grades 1 through 4 (commercially pure titanium), Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V), Grade 7 (Ti-0.15Pd), Grade 12 (Ti-0.3Mo-0.8Ni) and Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) represent over 90% of orders placed against B265.

The standard defines chemical composition, tensile properties, dimensional tolerances, surface finish and certification requirements. It does not cover welding wire (ASTM B863), pipe and tube (ASTM B338 and B861), forgings (ASTM B381), fasteners (ASTM F467/F468) or castings. B265 also does not specify corrosion performance — that is a material selection decision made outside the standard.

2. Grade Selection by Application

Cost note: the index is relative to Grade 2 mill product. Actual pricing moves with palladium, molybdenum and vanadium alloy surcharges and with order volume; treat the range as a planning guide rather than a quotation.

3. Chemical Composition Requirements

ASTM B265 Table 1 lists the chemical composition limits for each grade. The commercially pure grades differ primarily in oxygen content, which is the principal strength control:

For the alloy grades, the defining additions are:

• Grade 5 — 5.5 to 6.75% aluminium, 3.5 to 4.5% vanadium
• Grade 7 — 0.12 to 0.25% palladium; otherwise chemically identical to Grade 2
• Grade 12 — 0.2 to 0.4% molybdenum, 0.6 to 0.9% nickel
• Grade 23 — same as Grade 5 but extra-low interstitial: oxygen 0.13% max, iron 0.25% max, hydrogen 0.0125% max

The full chemical composition is delivered with the Mill Test Certificate. When the application is corrosion-critical, the buyer should retain the heat chemistry rather than relying on the grade designation alone.

4. Mechanical Properties

Values are per ASTM B265-20. Yield strength is measured at 0.2% offset; elongation on a 50mm (2-inch) gauge length. Grade 7 and Grade 2 have identical strength values — palladium changes the corrosion response, not the mechanical response.

5. Dimensional Tolerances

B265 defines separate tolerance tables for hot-rolled plate, cold-rolled sheet and cut lengths. The practical points for a buyer are these.

Plate (hot-rolled, nominally over 4.76mm / 0.1875 inch)

• Thickness tolerance is asymmetric — the plus side is larger than the minus side.
• Width tolerance: +10 to +25mm depending on finished width.
• Length tolerance: +15 to +25mm depending on finished length.
• Flatness: maximum 6mm per 1000mm for plate under 10mm thick.

Sheet and strip (cold-rolled, nominally under 4.76mm)

• Thickness tolerance: ±0.05mm for material under 1mm; ±0.08mm for 1 to 3mm.
• Width tolerance: ±0.13mm for strip supplied in coil.
• Edge condition: slit edge as standard, or mill edge where specified.

6. Surface Condition and Finish

Surface finish should be written onto the purchase order whenever the product contacts process fluid. A rough surface retains scale and can act as a pitting initiation site in chloride-bearing service.

7. Procurement Checklist: How to Write a B265 Purchase Order

A complete order citing ASTM B265 should name all nine fields. The common failure is to write "B265 Titanium Plate" with the grade, dimensions and surface condition left open — the supplier can then legally deliver any grade in any condition.

1. Standard and grade — "ASTM B265 Grade 2 (UNS R50400)".
2. Product form — plate, sheet or strip.
3. Dimensions — thickness × width × length, or coil width and inside diameter.
4. Condition — annealed (standard) or stress-relieved.
5. Surface finish — pickled, bright annealed or ground, per Section 6.
6. Tolerance class — standard B265 or tighter; state the actual values.
7. Certification — EN 10204 3.1 MTR as a minimum; 3.2 where the project requires it.
8. Additional testing — ultrasonic examination (ASTM A578 for plate above 12mm), positive material identification, flatness verification.
9. Packaging — export standard, moisture protection, wooden crate; [FILL: your maximum plate size for single-piece supply and any in-house packaging options]

8. Frequently Asked Questions

Is ASTM B265 the same as ASME SB-265?

Yes. ASME SB-265 is the ASME Boiler and Pressure Vessel Code endorsement of ASTM B265. The chemical and mechanical requirements are identical; SB-265 adds endorsement for use in ASME Code construction under Section VIII and Section XII. Specify SB-265 for pressure vessel work and B265 for general industrial use.

What is the difference between Grade 2 and Grade 7 under ASTM B265?

Grade 7 contains 0.12 to 0.25% palladium; Grade 2 contains no intentional palladium. Both grades have identical strength (345 MPa tensile, 275 MPa yield) and identical oxygen limits. The palladium addition promotes rapid repassivation in reducing acid environments such as hydrochloric acid, sulfuric acid and wet chlorine, where Grade 2 can suffer crevice or pitting corrosion. In oxidising environments such as nitric acid or ferric chloride, Grade 2 and Grade 7 perform identically, so specifying Grade 7 in that service adds cost without benefit.

Can ASTM B265 plate be used for pressure vessel construction?

Yes, when ordered to ASME SB-265 and included in the applicable material specification for ASME Section VIII construction. The material must be supplied with EN 10204 3.1 or 3.2 certification, and for thicknesses above 12mm ultrasonic examination per ASTM A578 Level II is recommended.

What thickness range does ASTM B265 cover?

ASTM B265 covers thicknesses from 0.018 inch (0.46mm) upward. In practical product-form terms, strip is 0.46 to 4.76mm, sheet is 0.46 to 6.35mm and plate is 4.76mm and above. For very thick plate above 100mm, confirm that the mill can meet the required reduction ratio and ultrasonic testing requirements before placing the order.

How does ASTM B265 relate to GB/T 3621?

GB/T 3621 is the Chinese national standard for titanium and titanium alloy plate, sheet and strip. The approximate grade mapping is TA1 to Grade 1, TA2 to Grade 2, TA3 to Grade 3, TA4 to Grade 4 and TC4 to Grade 5. Chemical composition limits are similar but not identical, with GB/T 3621 allowing slightly wider tolerance on some elements. For dual-specification projects, cite both standards on the purchase order and confirm that the mill test report shows compliance with each.

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