Overview - ISO 28401:2010 (Titanium classification and terminology)
ISO 28401:2010 is an international standard that defines a systematic classification and the terminology used for titanium and titanium alloys. It provides unified terms and definitions covering materials (e.g., titanium sponge), product forms (unwrought, wrought, castings), processing and heat-treatment methods, surface condition, melting methods and grade classification (including commercially pure titanium and alloy grades). The standard helps ensure consistent communication across industry, procurement and technical documentation.
Key topics and technical scope
ISO 28401:2010 addresses:
- Material definitions - e.g., titanium sponge, alloy, alloying element, impurity, master alloy, heat‑treatable vs non‑heat‑treatable alloys.
- Product classification - comprehensive definitions for unwrought and wrought products: ingots (for rolling/extruding/forging/remelting), billets, rod/bar, wire, tube, profile/shape, plate (>5 mm), sheet (0.20–5 mm), strip (>0.20 mm) and foil (≤0.20 mm).
- Casting methods - sand/graphite, permanent‑mould, die casting, centrifugal, investment casting, skull melting, and post‑casting HIP (hot isostatic pressing).
- Processing and heat treatments - alpha–beta and beta processing, annealing, ageing, cold working, bright annealing, beta‑transus concept.
- Melting method abbreviations - EB (electron beam), VAR (vacuum arc remelting), VASM, PM (powder metallurgy) listed for ingot/remelt categories.
- Classification & grades - separation of commercially pure (CP) titanium, corrosion‑resistance‑enhanced CP grades, titanium alloys (including common reference to Ti‑6Al‑4V as a high‑strength standard alloy), and titanium‑base intermetallics.
- Normative annexes - criteria such as the dividing line between titanium and titanium alloys and notes on wrought product classification.
Practical applications and benefits
ISO 28401 is used to:
- Standardize specifications and procurement language for titanium materials and products.
- Guide material selection and designation for engineering, fabrication and quality control.
- Support consistent classification across supply chains in aerospace, medical devices, chemical processing, marine and power generation where titanium’s corrosion resistance and strength‑to‑weight ratio are critical.
- Facilitate clearer technical documentation, testing protocols and regulatory submissions.
Who should use this standard
- Materials and metallurgical engineers
- Product designers and manufacturing engineers
- Procurement and quality assurance teams
- Specification writers and standards committees
- Aerospace, medical, chemical process and marine industry professionals
Related standards and keywords
ISO 28401 complements other ISO standards on product specifications, testing and surface treatments for light metals. Relevant keywords for search and discovery: ISO 28401, titanium classification, titanium alloys terminology, commercially pure titanium, Ti‑6Al‑4V, titanium processing, titanium castings, wrought titanium products.