Titanium CNC Manufacturing FAQ — Materials, Tolerances, Compliance, Shipping

Question 1

Which industries does BOZE primarily serve?

Accepted Answer

BOZE serves aerospace & defense , medical devices (Class I–II long-term implants under), motorsports, chemical processing, marine & offshore, and general industrial OEMs. Our titanium manufacturing is purpose-built for buyers whose specifications require controlled raw-material traceability (DFARS, EN 10204 3.1) and ITAR-aware handling.

Question 2

How do I start a project with BOZE — and what information should I send?

Accepted Answer

Submit an inquiry through our RFQ portal at /rfq/ . Please attach: (1) your 3D CAD model (STEP AP242 or native), (2) a drawing with GD&T callouts and surface-finish requirements, (3) target annual volume, (4) required certification scope (AS9100D, EN 10204 3.1/3.2), and (5) any NDA or DFARS restrictions. Our engineering team returns a DFM report within 1–2 business days .

Question 3

What is the typical minimum order quantity (MOQ) for production orders?

Accepted Answer

For CNC machined titanium parts , MOQ is typically 10 pieces per part number. For additive (SLM/DMLS) builds, MOQ is 1 build envelope (multiple parts nested). For rapid prototyping , MOQ is effectively 1 piece with our 3–7 day standard turnaround. We do not run injection-molding-style mass production; if you need 100,000+ pieces, we will redirect you.

Question 4

Do you sign NDAs before reviewing our designs?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Every design review is conducted under an executed mutual NDA as standard procedure — no charge for the NDA itself. We never retain copies of customer CAD beyond the production contract horizon. All file uploads go through encrypted channels, and our facility is ITAR-aware (we do not hold an ITAR registration; for ITAR-restricted work we partner with a registered sub-tier).

Question 5

Which titanium grades can BOZE machine?

Accepted Answer

We routinely work with Grade 1, Grade 2, Grade 3, Grade 5 (Ti-6Al-4V), Grade 5 ELI, Grade 9 (Ti-3Al-6Al-4V), Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) , plus aerospace alloys Ti-6Al-2Sn-4Zr-6Mo (Ti-6246) and Ti-10V-2Fe-3Al (Ti-10-2-3) . We also process commercially pure titanium for chemical-processing service. Each bar comes with a heat-traceable MTR.

Question 6

Titanium Grade 5 vs Grade 23 (ELI) — which is right for permanent medical implants?

Accepted Answer

Grade 23 (Ti-6Al-4V ELI) is the medical-implant grade. ELI = Extra-Low Interstitials, meaning tighter limits on oxygen, nitrogen, hydrogen and iron. The result is improved fracture toughness , fatigue life , and reduced risk of crack initiation under cyclic loading — all critical for permanent implants (hip stems, dental fixtures, spinal cages). Grade 5 has higher strength but lower toughness. For instrumentation (non-implant surgical tools), Grade 5 remains acceptable and is more widely available.

Question 7

Can BOZE supply titanium raw materials that strictly comply with DFARS requirements for defense and aerospace applications?

Accepted Answer

Yes, absolutely. BOZE operates a fully locked-down aerospace material control network. Every batch of titanium alloy procured for defense and aerospace contracts strictly complies with DFARS 252.225-7014 Clause 1 (Preference for Domestic Specialty Metals) and its relevant supplements. All raw stock is sourced exclusively from tier-one,-accredited mills in DFARS-approved qualifying countries. Each delivery is anchored by an authentic, unedited EN 10204 Type 3.1 Material Test Report (MTR) , charting complete chemical ladle analysis and mechanical destructive testing metrics. Our internal digital inventory ledger executes absolute heat number traceability , linking raw bar stock to the precise mill melt lot.

Question 8

Do you provide EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 Material Test Reports with shipments?

Accepted Answer

Yes — EN 10204 3.1 MTRs are included as standard for every production order. Our material traceability pipeline links each batch from mill certificate to finished component via a unique heat/lot number. 3.2 inspection certificates (third-party verified by an independent inspector such as Bureau Veritas or SGS) are available on request with a 48-hour processing window. We also provide ASTM E8/E8M tensile verification and full chemical analysis on request.

Question 9

What GD&T tolerances can you hold on titanium machined parts?

Accepted Answer

Standard dimensional tolerance: ±0.025 mm . Critical features: ±0.005 mm . GD&T per ASME Y14.5 verified on ZEISS CMM with ±1.9 µm volumetric accuracy. True position 0.01–0.05 mm routinely achieved on 5-axis machined components. We do not claim impossible tolerances without a written engineering feasibility review — every drawing is DFM-checked before any material is cut.

Question 10

What is the minimum machinable wall thickness in titanium?

Accepted Answer

5-axis milled: down to 0.5 mm using trochoidal milling with thermal-compensated spindles. Swiss turned: down to 0.3 mm with guide bushing support. Below 0.3 mm wall thickness, we redirect to additive manufacturing (SLM) where thin walls are built monolithically rather than milled from solid bar — often faster and cheaper for complex geometries.

Question 11

Do you support 5-axis CNC machining on titanium?

Accepted Answer

Yes — we run a fleet of 5-axis simultaneous machining centers (DMG MORI DMU 50, DMU 65 monoBLOCK, Hermle C 250U). 5-axis lets us machine complex contoured surfaces, undercuts, and angled holes in a single fixturing, which is essential for aerospace blisks, blings, and medical implant geometries . For deep-pocket features, we combine 5-axis milling with trochoidal tool paths and high-pressure through-tool coolant.

Question 12

When should I choose 3-axis vs 5-axis CNC machining for titanium?

Accepted Answer

Use 3-axis for prismatic parts (blocks, plates, holes perpendicular to a single datum) where fixturing is straightforward and tolerances are looser than ±0.05 mm — it is faster and cheaper. Use 5-axis whenever (a) the part has compound angles or undercuts, (b) tolerances below ±0.025 mm across multiple datums, (c) you want to eliminate secondary operations and reduce fixturing distortion. Our engineering team provides a free 5-axis-vs-3-axis feasibility analysis as part of DFM.

Question 13

What surface finishes can you achieve on titanium components?

Accepted Answer

Standard as-machined: Ra 0.8–1.6 µm . Optimized tool paths achieve Ra 0.4–0.8 µm . Precision-ground form tools achieve Ra ≤ 0.4 µm on threads and sealing surfaces. Electropolishing for semiconductor and medical applications achieves Ra ≤ 0.1 µm mirror finish. All surface-finish certifications are issued with the CMM dimensional report.

Question 14

Do you offer Type II and Type III (hard) anodizing for titanium?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Type II (decorative) anodizing produces a thin titanium-oxide layer (0.5–2 µm) in a controlled color spectrum (gold, blue, purple, green) per AMS 2488 — used for cosmetic identification and corrosion resistance. Type III (hard) anodizing produces a thicker oxide (2–5 µm) per AMS 2487 for wear resistance and dielectric strength. Both are in-house; we do not outsource finishing.

Question 15

Can you electropolish titanium to Ra ≤ 0.1 µm for semiconductor or medical applications?

Accepted Answer

Yes — in-house electropolishing achieves Ra ≤ 0.1 µm (mirror) on titanium alloys using a phosphoric-sulfuric acid electrolyte with controlled current density. We verify finish with a Mahr MarSurf PS10 profilometer. Common applications include semiconductor gas-delivery fittings, medical implant articulating surfaces, and high-vacuum chamber components . Electropolishing also improves corrosion resistance by removing the cold-worked layer.

Question 16

What passivation and chemical treatments do you offer for titanium?

Accepted Answer

We provide chemical passivation per ASTM A967 and AMS 2700 using nitric-acid-based solutions (no hydrofluoric, no chromates) to remove surface contaminants and grow the natural passive oxide layer. We also perform alkaline peroxide etching for biomedical surface activation prior to coating. All chemical-process lines are operated by our qualified chemical-processing partner using documented procedures with full process traceability.

Question 17

What non-destructive testing (NDT) methodologies do you employ to guarantee the absence of subsurface structural anomalies in titanium parts?

Accepted Answer

To eliminate the risk of catastrophic field failure caused by internal micro-voids or low-density inclusions (LDIs), BOZE enforces a rigorous multi-tiered NDT infrastructure. We execute Ultrasonic Testing (UT) per ASTM A388 and AMS-STD-2154 for billets and critical machined features, with detection thresholds calibrated to ≤ ∅0.8 mm flat-bottomed reference reflectors. For Class A aerospace components, ASTM E1417 fluorescent liquid-penetrant inspection (FPI) is applied. All NDT operators hold ASNT Level II or III certification.

Question 18

How does your process prevent hydrogen embrittlement during aggressive titanium chemical pickling and thermal stress relief cycles?

Accepted Answer

Hydrogen embrittlement represents a critical threat to the structural ductility of titanium under sustained stress. BOZE completely mitigates this risk by restricting chemical exposure parameters and enforcing rigid thermal processing control per AMS 2801 . Our thermal stress-relief cycles run exclusively inside high-vacuum furnace chambers at a minimum vacuum threshold of 10⁻⁴ Torr , with soak temperatures precisely between 480°C and 540°C . When chemical etching or pickling is mandatory, we use tightly calibrated nitric-hydrofluoric acid solutions where the HNO₃ concentration is continuously maintained at a minimum 10:1 ratio relative to HF, blocking nascent hydrogen migration into the alpha-beta crystal matrix.

Question 19

Are you certified to AS9100D and ?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Boze Titanium Manufacturing Center operates under AS9100D (aerospace) and (medical devices) quality management systems. Documentation packages include First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR) per AS9102 , process control plans, and full material-traceability chains. We do not currently hold AS9110 (aviation MRO) or AS9120 (aviation distributors) — those are out of scope.

Question 20

Do you provide First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR / AS9102)?

Accepted Answer

Every new part number receives a complete AS9102 FAIR prior to the production run. The report includes: (1) design characteristics with measured values, (2) material traceability chain back to the mill heat number, (3) process-capability data (Cpk indices for critical-to-quality characteristics), (4) ballooned drawing with each feature referenced, and (5) non-conformance log (closed-loop). We can also provide PPAP packages for automotive-tier customers (we do not currently hold IATF 16949).

Question 21

What are your typical lead times for production orders?

Accepted Answer

Rapid prototyping: 3–7 business days. Pre-production samples (NPI): 2–3 weeks. Production run (5–500 pieces): 4–6 weeks. Large production (500–5000 pieces): 6–10 weeks. Lead time depends on material grade, post-processing (anodizing, NDT), and certification scope (3.2 MTRs add ~48h). We provide a binding lead-time quote with every RFQ response — no estimates that slip.

Question 22

Which Incoterms® 2020 do you support for international shipments?

Accepted Answer

We routinely ship under EXW, FOB, CFR, CIF, DAP, and DDP . For North-American customers we also offer FCA (Baoji) with customer-arranged pickup. We do not ship under FAS or DAT (these are uncommon for our product class). All shipments include commercial invoice, packing list, MTRs, FAIR, and any country-of-origin certificates required for customs clearance.

Question 23

Do you ship internationally, and how do you handle customs documentation?

Accepted Answer

Yes — approximately 70% of our shipments cross international borders . We provide: (1) commercial invoice with HS codes, (2) Certificate of Origin (Form A / RCEP / USMCA) as requested, (4) fumigation certificate for ISPM-15 wood-packaging compliance, (5) SASO / SABER certificates for KSA-bound shipments. We ship by air (DHL, FedEx, UPS), sea (FCL/LCL), and courier-air for time-critical orders.

Question 24

How do you handle export-control documentation and restricted-party screening?

Accepted Answer

Every international shipment undergoes EAR / ITAR restricted-party screening via Visual Compliance (Descartes) before pickup. We file EEI (Electronic Export Information) via AES for shipments above the EEI threshold, and we maintain a documented export-compliance program (ECP) with named empowered officials. For ITAR-restricted work we partner with a registered sub-tier — BOZE does not currently hold an ITAR registration (ITAR-2024 controlled work).

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Titanium Manufacturing Frequently Asked Questions

Didn't find your answer? Talk to a Titanium Engineer.

Titanium Manufacturing Frequently Asked Questions

General·industriesmarketsWhich industries does BOZE primarily serve?

General·rfqprocessHow do I start a project with BOZE — and what information should I send?

General·moqquantityWhat is the typical minimum order quantity (MOQ) for production orders?

General·ndaconfidentialityDo you sign NDAs before reviewing our designs?

Titanium Grades & Materials·materialsgradesWhich titanium grades can BOZE machine?

Titanium Grades & Materials·materialsgrade-5Titanium Grade 5 vs Grade 23 (ELI) — which is right for permanent medical implants?

Titanium Grades & Materials·dfars252.225-7014Can BOZE supply titanium raw materials that strictly comply with DFARS requirements for defense and aerospace applications?

Titanium Grades & Materials·mtren-10204Do you provide EN 10204 3.1 / 3.2 Material Test Reports with shipments?

5-Axis CNC Machining·tolerancegdtWhat GD&T tolerances can you hold on titanium machined parts?

5-Axis CNC Machining·wall-thicknessthin-wallWhat is the minimum machinable wall thickness in titanium?

5-Axis CNC Machining·5-axissimultaneousDo you support 5-axis CNC machining on titanium?

5-Axis CNC Machining·3-axis5-axisWhen should I choose 3-axis vs 5-axis CNC machining for titanium?

Surface Finishing·surface-finishraWhat surface finishes can you achieve on titanium components?

Surface Finishing·anodizingtype-2Do you offer Type II and Type III (hard) anodizing for titanium?

Surface Finishing·electropolishmirrorCan you electropolish titanium to Ra ≤ 0.1 µm for semiconductor or medical applications?

Surface Finishing·passivationastm-a967What passivation and chemical treatments do you offer for titanium?

Quality & Certifications·ndtutWhat non-destructive testing (NDT) methodologies do you employ to guarantee the absence of subsurface structural anomalies in titanium parts?

Quality & Certifications·hydrogenembrittlementHow does your process prevent hydrogen embrittlement during aggressive titanium chemical pickling and thermal stress relief cycles?

Quality & Certifications·as9100diso-13485Are you certified to AS9100D and ?

Quality & Certifications·fairas9102Do you provide First Article Inspection Reports (FAIR / AS9102)?

Shipping & Lead Time·lead-timeproductionWhat are your typical lead times for production orders?

Shipping & Lead Time·incotermsexwWhich Incoterms® 2020 do you support for international shipments?

Shipping & Lead Time·shippinginternationalDo you ship internationally, and how do you handle customs documentation?

Shipping & Lead Time·exportitarHow do you handle export-control documentation and restricted-party screening?

Didn't find your answer? Talk to a Titanium Engineer.