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Our ASTM B338 titanium tubes are purpose-built for aerospace and aviation applications, delivering unmatched strength-to-weight ratio, corrosion resistance, and dimensional precision.
ASTM B338 is the standard specification for seamless and welded titanium and titanium alloy tubes intended for condensers and heat exchangers — but its application has expanded dramatically into aerospace and aviation systems. Titanium Tube B338 covers multiple grades including Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 7, Grade 9, and Grade 12, each engineered to deliver specific mechanical and chemical performance characteristics suited to the most demanding aerospace environments.
In aerospace and aviation, the material requirements are uncompromising. Every component must endure extreme temperature cycles, high-pressure fluid dynamics, vibration fatigue, and corrosive atmospheres — all while minimizing structural weight. Titanium, with its exceptional strength-to-weight ratio (roughly 45% lighter than steel at comparable strength levels), biocompatibility, and outstanding corrosion resistance, has become the material of choice for critical aerospace components worldwide.
Grade 1 (CP-Ti): Commercially pure titanium with the highest ductility and formability. Used in aircraft ducting, low-pressure hydraulic lines, and airframe panels where forming complexity is high.
Grade 2 (CP-Ti): The most widely used titanium grade in aerospace. Balances strength, ductility, and weldability — ideal for fuselage components, heat exchangers, and fluid transfer systems.
Grade 7 (Ti-0.2Pd): Enhanced corrosion resistance due to palladium addition. Preferred in aircraft environmental control systems exposed to aggressive chemicals or humid environments.
Grade 9 (Ti-3Al-2.5V): The premier alloy for aerospace hydraulic tubing. Widely specified in commercial and military aircraft hydraulic systems due to its high strength, excellent cold-working capability, and superior fatigue resistance.
Grade 12 (Ti-0.3Mo-0.8Ni): Exceptional resistance to crevice corrosion, used in aircraft seawater systems and marine aviation platforms.
Up to 45% lighter than steel with comparable tensile strength — critical for reducing aircraft structural weight and improving fuel efficiency across commercial and military platforms.
Retains mechanical integrity at temperatures up to 600°C, making B338 titanium tubes ideal for jet engine nacelles, exhaust systems, and thermal management components.
Naturally forms a passive oxide layer, providing outstanding resistance to saltwater, jet fuel, hydraulic fluids, and atmospheric corrosion — essential for long-service aviation components.
Manufactured to tight OD, wall thickness, and straightness tolerances per ASTM B338 — ensuring reliable fit and function in hydraulic fittings, tube assemblies, and precision aerospace mechanisms.
Titanium alloys exhibit excellent fatigue performance under cyclic loading — a critical requirement for hydraulic lines, landing gear components, and airframe structures subject to repeated stress cycles.
Every batch of B338 titanium tube is supplied with mill test reports, chemical composition certificates, and mechanical property test data — meeting aerospace procurement standards globally.
| Grade | Alloy Designation | Min. Tensile Strength | Min. Yield Strength | Elongation | Primary Aerospace Use |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grade 1 | CP-Ti (0.2% Fe max) | 240 MPa | 170 MPa | 24% | Ducting, Low-Pressure Lines |
| Grade 2 | CP-Ti (0.3% Fe max) | 345 MPa | 275 MPa | 20% | Heat Exchangers, Airframe |
| Grade 3 | CP-Ti (0.3% Fe max) | 450 MPa | 380 MPa | 18% | Structural Tubing |
| Grade 7 | Ti-0.2Pd | 345 MPa | 275 MPa | 20% | ECS, Chemical-Exposed Systems |
| Grade 9 | Ti-3Al-2.5V | 620 MPa | 483 MPa | 15% | Hydraulic Tubing, Military Aircraft |
| Grade 12 | Ti-0.3Mo-0.8Ni | 483 MPa | 345 MPa | 18% | Marine Aviation, Seawater Systems |
| Dimension | Seamless OD Range | Wall Thickness | Length | Surface Finish | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Standard Range | 3.175 mm – 101.6 mm | 0.254 mm – 12.7 mm | Up to 12,000 mm | Bright Annealed / Pickled | ASTM B338 |
| Custom Range | Per customer specification | Per customer specification | Per customer specification | Electropolished available | AMS / EN / Customer Spec |
From commercial airliners to hypersonic vehicles, ASTM B338 titanium tubes serve a vast spectrum of critical aerospace applications. Here we examine the most significant use cases in detail.
Grade 9 (Ti-3Al-2.5V) titanium tube is the industry standard for aircraft hydraulic tubing, replacing stainless steel in Boeing, Airbus, and military platforms. It reduces system weight by up to 40% while maintaining pressure ratings exceeding 3,000 PSI — critical for flight control actuation, landing gear, and braking systems.
Titanium tubes are used extensively in jet engine nacelles, bleed air ducting, oil cooling lines, and fuel delivery systems. Their ability to withstand thermal cycling from -54°C to +600°C without significant property degradation makes them indispensable in turbofan and turboprop engine architectures.
In rocket propulsion systems, titanium tubes manage cryogenic propellant transfer, oxidizer lines, and pressurization systems. The combination of low density, high strength at cryogenic temperatures, and compatibility with liquid oxygen makes B338 titanium tubes essential for launch vehicle plumbing.
Defense aerospace programs demand titanium tubes for stealth aircraft fuel systems, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) structural tubing, and advanced fighter jet hydraulic circuits. Grade 9 titanium's superior fatigue life under high-g maneuver loading is a key selection criterion for military applications.
Naval aviation platforms — including carrier-based aircraft, maritime patrol aircraft, and amphibious helicopters — operate in aggressive salt-fog environments. Grade 7 and Grade 12 titanium tubes provide unmatched crevice and pitting corrosion resistance, dramatically extending service life in marine aviation contexts.
Aircraft cabin pressurization and air conditioning systems rely on titanium tubes for bleed air distribution, heat exchanger cores, and cooling line assemblies. Titanium's thermal stability and resistance to hot, humid, chemically active air streams ensures decades of reliable ECS operation.
The global aerospace titanium market is undergoing a structural transformation. Understanding these trends is essential for procurement engineers, MRO specialists, and aviation OEMs sourcing B338 titanium tubes.
Boeing's 787 Dreamliner uses approximately 15% titanium by structural weight. Airbus A350 XWB follows a similar philosophy. As both manufacturers ramp production to meet post-pandemic demand backlogs exceeding 13,000 aircraft, titanium tube procurement volumes are surging. New narrow-body programs (B737 MAX successors, A320neo family upgrades) are also increasing titanium content to meet fuel efficiency targets.
Global defense spending reached $2.2 trillion in 2023, with significant investment in next-generation fighter aircraft (F-35, FCAS, Tempest) and large UAV programs. These platforms demand extensive titanium tube usage for hydraulic, fuel, and structural applications. The rapid growth of military drone programs further expands titanium tube consumption in defense aerospace.
The commercial space launch market is growing at over 15% CAGR, driven by SpaceX, Blue Origin, Rocket Lab, and emerging global players. Hypersonic vehicle development programs in the US, China, and Europe require titanium tubes capable of surviving extreme aerothermal environments. This represents a high-value emerging market segment for B338 titanium tube suppliers.
IATA's net-zero aviation commitment by 2050 is forcing aircraft manufacturers to maximize structural efficiency. Every kilogram saved in aircraft weight reduces lifetime fuel consumption significantly. Replacing legacy steel and aluminum tubing with titanium B338 tubes is a proven weight-reduction strategy, making titanium increasingly cost-justified even at premium material prices.
The aerospace industry's heavy reliance on Russian VSMPO-AVISMA for titanium sponge (historically ~30% of global supply) has prompted urgent supply chain diversification. Asian and Western titanium processors, including Chinese manufacturers with ASTM-certified production, are gaining significant market share as aerospace OEMs seek supply chain resilience for B338 titanium tubes.
Aerospace procurement increasingly demands digital material traceability — blockchain-verified mill certificates, AI-powered dimensional inspection, and real-time quality dashboards. Leading B338 titanium tube manufacturers are investing in Industry 4.0 production infrastructure to meet these evolving aerospace supply chain requirements and qualify for Tier-1 aerospace supplier status.
Our manufacturing facility, spanning over 2,000 square meters, is strategically located in Suzhou, China, near Shanghai. Since its establishment in 2013, Rewell Titanium has quickly made a name for itself in the industry. This success is deeply rooted in the extensive experience and insightful leadership of our chairman, who has spent nearly 30 years in the non-ferrous metals sector. With a keen understanding of market demands and an unwavering commitment to product quality, we continuously optimize our production processes and invest in state-of-the-art equipment to ensure every product meets industry-leading standards. In addition to offering standardized products, we provide customized solutions tailored to meet our clients' specific operational needs, even in the most challenging environments.
At Rewell Titanium, our core belief is: "Helping every customer achieve success." We firmly understand that our customers' success is the driving force behind our own growth. Therefore, we go beyond providing exceptional products by offering comprehensive technical support and after-sales service. Our dedicated team works closely with clients to address challenges, optimize applications, and maximize performance. Through collaboration and innovation, we take pride in witnessing our clients' growth and achievements. We believe that delivering superior products enhances our clients' competitiveness, and in turn, their success leads to further cooperation. This mutually beneficial relationship forms the foundation of our business and is the reason why so many customers continue to choose Rewell Titanium.
Rewell Titanium is ISO 9001:2015 certified, and every product batch is accompanied by inspection reports issued by certified testing agencies, ensuring the highest standards of quality and performance. Our rigorous quality control system covers every stage of production, from raw material procurement to final delivery, guaranteeing that our products consistently meet and exceed our clients' expectations.
Explore our full range of titanium tubes, nickel alloy pipes, and related aerospace-grade materials — all manufactured to international standards with full quality documentation.
Seamless Nickel Alloy Pipe and Tube — Aerospace Heat Exchanger Systems
Grade 1 Seamless Titanium Tube — Aircraft Ducting & Low-Pressure Lines
Grade 2 Seamless Titanium Tube — Aviation Airframe & Heat Exchangers
Seamless & Welded Titanium Tube and Pipe — Aerospace & Aviation Systems
Grade 7 Seamless Titanium Tube — Environmental Control & Chemical-Resistant Systems
Grade 9 Seamless Titanium Tube — Aircraft Hydraulic & Jet Engine Systems
ASTM B265 Titanium Sheet and Plate — Aerospace Structural Panels & Components
Grade 12 Seamless Titanium Tube — Marine Aviation & Seawater-Exposed Systems
Where success is within reach! — Partner with us for precision ASTM B338 titanium tubes that power the world's most advanced aerospace and aviation systems.
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