High-quality titanium alloy prices are directly determined by material composition, process certification, and application scenarios. Aerospace-grade TC4 (Ti-6Al-4V) must comply with the ASME SB348 standard and pass high-temperature strength tests (temperature resistance ≥540°C), resulting in titanium alloy prices that are significantly higher than industrial-grade alloys. As of July 2025, the quoted price for TC4 titanium alloy forgings reached USD 21–22 per kilogram, while the price for TA1 pure titanium plates (5–10 mm thick) during the same period was only USD 8.8–9 per kilogram. High-end medical device titanium alloys must meet the biocompatibility ISO 5832-3 certification, further driving up premiums. For example, the price of Ti-6Al-7Nb titanium alloy used in orthopedic implants has exceeded 55 USD/kg. The price rigidity of such titanium alloys stems from the requirement that the vacuum level during melting must be maintained at 10⁻³ Pa, and the oxygen content must be ≤1500 ppm; otherwise, the material is directly scrapped.
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Currently, there is a significant price difference between the selling price and recycling price of titanium alloys, reflecting the economic potential of resource recycling. Taking TC4, commonly used in aerospace structural components, as an example, the market price for new titanium alloy remains stable at 21-22 USD/kg, while recyclers purchase titanium alloy shavings of the same material at only 2-3 USD/kg. The core of the price difference lies in the pre-processing costs of recycled materials: titanium chips must undergo degreasing (recovery rate of 98%), ultrasonic cleaning (contamination removal rate of 99.5%), and briquetting (density ≥5.2 g/cm³) before remelting. The entire production line equipment investment requires an annual processing capacity of over 500 tons to achieve profitability. Despite this, recycled titanium alloy prices remain competitive—a U.S. parts manufacturer achieved annual raw material cost savings of 1.66 million USD after adopting the Enpate briquetting system, with transportation costs for recycled materials reduced by 75%.
“Gold titanium alloy” (typically referring to high-value-added titanium alloys) offers volume discounts when priced by kilogram or ton, but prices remain robust in the aerospace and medical sectors. In July 2025, the Aviation Engine Research Institute purchased TC4 titanium alloy at a unit price of 69 USD/kg (equivalent to 69,000 USD/ton), with a total order value of 34,600 USD for just 500 kg, highlighting the premium pricing for small-batch specialty titanium alloys. In contrast, the prices of bulk sponge titanium (titanium alloy raw material) quoted per ton show greater flexibility: Grade 0 sponge titanium is priced at USD 7,063–7,202 per ton, but orders exceeding 50 tons qualify for a 3%–5% discount. Note that the prices of recycled titanium alloys from the same TC4 scrap vary depending on the source: industrial shavings are approximately $3–4 per kilogram, while medical joint cutting scrap, due to its low pollution characteristics, can reach over $20 per kilogram.
The realization of titanium alloy recycling value depends on the coordination of the technological chain, not just the metal content. In the North American market, aerospace-grade scrap titanium (oxygen content ≤1,500 ppm) commands a premium of 35%-40% over industrial-grade scrap, as the former can be directly used for aerospace engine blade remanufacturing through cold bed smelting (recovery rate of 92%). Practical verification: A company increased the price of TC4 scrap by 30%-50% after compacting it into blocks, and reduced smelting electricity consumption by 60% compared to virgin ore. The global titanium scrap market is projected to expand at an annual growth rate of 10.18% by 2030, with aerospace applications contributing the majority of the growth. Although the current price of recycled titanium alloys is lower than that of new materials, the demand for 2,500 tons of titanium materials driven by 500 eVTOL orders will continue to tighten the supply of high-quality scrap, forcing upgrades in recycling technology.
Titanium alloy price fluctuations ultimately hinge on “impurity control costs”—from the solvent boiling point (120–180°C) during scrap cleaning to the vacuum level (10⁻³ Pa) during remelting, each process filters out value losses. When the price of recycled titanium alloys breaks through the 6.5 USD/kg threshold, it will stimulate investment in manufacturing waste recycling systems, transforming them from cost centers to profit centers. Over the next three years, if the certification ratio of aerospace-grade recycled titanium increases from the current 25% to 40%, the global titanium alloy price structure will undergo a structural downward shift.
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