At a glance
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Name | Titanium powder |
| CAS No. | 7440-32-6 |
| HS code | 8108.20-2000 (titanium powder) |
| Density | approx. 4.5 g/cm³ |
| Main production routes | HDH (hydrogenation–dehydrogenation), gas/plasma atomization, plasma spheroidization |
| Latest 12 months of imports (Oct 2025–Sep 2026) | US$3,157,996 / 531,278 kg |
| Prior 12 months of imports (Oct 2024–Sep 2025) | US$1,082,127 / 140,957 kg |
| Growth | Weight +276.9%, value +191.8% |
Material overview
Titanium (Ti) is a metal with a density of about 4.5 g/cm³, high specific strength and high corrosion resistance. This brief focuses on commercially pure titanium (CP-Ti) powder.
The typical production routes for pure titanium powder are (general classification):
- HDH (hydrogenation–milling–dehydrogenation) — irregular, angular particles at a comparatively lower cost. Used as feedstock for powder metallurgy, sintering and MIM.
- Spherical powder — made by gas or plasma atomization or plasma spheroidization. Good flowability suits additive manufacturing (AM) and thermal spray.
The key quality factors are interstitial elements (oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen), particle size distribution, morphology and the surface oxide layer.
Applications by industry
- Powder metallurgy & sintering — filters, porous bodies, components (HDH grades)
- Metal injection molding (MIM) — small precision parts
- Additive manufacturing (AM) — prototypes and parts from spherical powder
- Thermal spray & surface coating — corrosion-resistant and biocompatible coatings
- Aerospace & medical — lightweight components, implant-related materials
- Other — alloy feedstock, corrosion-resistant parts for chemical processing, electronic-material additives, etc.
Storage & handling
Sealed containers filled with inert gas (argon) are common; packs of 1 kg to several tens of kg are typical, but confirm with each supplier. Store dry, away from moisture and heat sources. Fine powder oxidizes quickly and carries dust-explosion and ignition risk, so static control and ignition-source management are needed. For transport, the hazardous-goods classification can differ between dry and wetted states (a separate UN number exists in the international classification); confirm the UN classification through the supplier's SDS and the carrier before shipment.
Market outlook
- Korea import trend (Korea Customs Service, China origin) — imports in the latest 12 months (Oct 2025–Sep 2026) were US$3,157,996 and 531,278 kg, versus US$1,082,127 and 140,957 kg in the prior 12 months: weight +276.9%, value +191.8%.
- Falling unit price — weight grew faster than value, so the average unit price declined. On 12-month totals, the average was about 7.7 USD/kg in the prior period and about 5.9 USD/kg in the latest (import value ÷ weight, calculated for this brief).
- Monthly swings — monthly import weight ranged from about 0.7 tonnes in Feb 2026 to about 129 tonnes in Sep 2026, suggesting that one or two large shipments drive a month's figure. Unit price per kg also swung widely, from about 1.9 to 52.5 USD.
- Interpretation caveat — different grades and forms may be mixed under the same HS code, but the mix is not visible in the statistics. With an average of only a few dollars per kg, it is hard to say that the growth is centered on high-purity spherical powder; however, HS classification alone does not reveal product specifications.
- Overseas supply news — Western producers continue to report capacity growth. IperionX said it produced 8.7 tonnes of titanium powder in the September 2026 quarter and is pursuing expansion, and PyroGenesis announced a Ti64 powder supply contract and an order from an additive-manufacturing OEM. A direct link to the rise in Korean imports has not been confirmed.
Note for procurement teams
Production route and morphology
| Use | What to confirm |
|---|---|
| Powder metallurgy / sintering / MIM | HDH particle size distribution, residual oxygen and chlorine (Cl), tap density |
| Additive manufacturing (LPBF/EBM) | Sphericity, satellites, flowability (Hall flow), oxygen content, size cut (e.g., 15–53 μm) |
| Thermal spray / coating | Size range, flowability, morphology |
COA checklist — Ti content or CP-Ti grade designation (Grades 1–4, etc.) and applicable standard; oxygen (O), nitrogen (N), hydrogen (H), carbon (C) and iron (Fe) content (higher grades have stricter oxygen limits, so fix per-application limits in the specification); particle size distribution D10/D50/D90; morphology (HDH or spherical); flowability and tap density; production route, batch number and packing atmosphere (argon, etc.).
Practical tips
- Check the HS code — titanium powder (8108.20-2000), alloy powders and titanium sponge may fall under different HS codes; confirm the classification before buying.
- Basis for comparing quotes — unit prices per kg swing widely even in the statistics, so fix purity, oxygen and size cut first when comparing quotes.
- Check regulations — China export-related rules and hazardous-goods transport requirements can be revised; check the latest notices and the SDS before shipment. This is general information, not legal advice.
- Trial order — buy a small quantity first and verify with your own analysis (oxygen, particle size) before scaling up.
TKNCO has secured supply chains for spherical commercially pure titanium powder (TA1, CAS 7440-32-6) and spherical Ti-6Al-4V powder (catalog items available through sourcing), and provides the lot-by-lot manufacturer COA with supply. Send us an inquiry and we will reply with supply terms within 48 hours.
This brief summarizes the public sources below and Korea Customs Service trade statistics (China-origin imports into Korea, Oct 2024–Sep 2026) for general information and does not guarantee contract prices at any given time. Always check the supplier's COA for actual purchases.
References