Classification of Titanium Materials

1. Commercially Pure Titanium

   It is divided into four grades: TA1, TA2, TA3 and TA4. The higher the grade number, the higher the impurity content and the lower the strength, but it has good plasticity, toughness, excellent corrosion resistance and good weldability.
2. Titanium Alloys

   Titanium alloys are made by adding other alloying elements such as aluminum, vanadium, molybdenum, etc., on the basis of pure titanium. According to the types and contents of alloying elements, titanium alloys can be classified into α-titanium alloys, β-titanium alloys and α+β-titanium alloys.

• α-titanium alloys: They are single-phase alloys composed of α-phase solid solution, which remain α-phase both at room temperature and relatively high service temperatures, with stable structure, higher wear resistance than pure titanium and strong oxidation resistance. They can still maintain their strength and creep resistance at temperatures ranging from 500℃ to 600℃, but cannot be strengthened by heat treatment and have low strength at room temperature.
• β-titanium alloys: They are single-phase alloys composed of β-phase solid solution, which have high strength even without heat treatment. The alloys are further strengthened after quenching and aging, with room-temperature strength reaching 1372–1666 MPa. However, they have poor thermal stability and are not suitable for use at high temperatures.
• α+β-titanium alloys: They are dual-phase alloys with good comprehensive properties, stable structure, excellent toughness, plasticity and high-temperature deformation performance. They can be well subjected to hot pressure processing and can be strengthened by quenching and aging. The strength after heat treatment is about 50%–100% higher than that in the annealed state. They have high high-temperature strength and can work for a long time at temperatures ranging from 400℃ to 500℃, but their thermal stability is inferior to that of α-titanium alloys.

National Standard Numbers of Titanium Alloy Plates, Bars, Wires and Pipes

• Titanium alloy plates:

  GB/T 3621-2022 Titanium and Titanium Alloy Plates and Sheets

  GB/T 31297-2014 TC4ELI Titanium Alloy Plates and Sheets

  GB/T 31298-2014 TC4 Titanium Alloy Heavy Plates

  GB/T 31910-2015 Titanium Alloy Plates and Sheets for Submersibles

  GB/T 38916-2020 High-temperature Titanium Alloy Plates and Sheets for Aerospace Applications

  GB/T 38988-2020 Damage Tolerant Titanium Alloy Plates and Sheets

  GB/T 39985-2021 Titanium-Nickel Shape Memory Alloy Plates and Sheets
• Titanium alloy bars:

  GB/T 2965-2023 Titanium and Titanium Alloy Bars

  GB/T 32185-2015 Large-size Titanium Alloy Bars

  GB/T 38917-2020 High-temperature Titanium Alloy Bars for Aerospace Applications

  GB/T 38973-2020 Titanium and Titanium Alloy Bars for Additive Manufacturing Powder Production

  GB/T 39989-2021 Superelastic Titanium-Nickel Shape Memory Alloy Bars and Wires
• Titanium alloy wires:

  GB/T 3623-2022 Titanium and Titanium Alloy Wires

  GB/T 30562-2014 Titanium and Titanium Alloy Welding Wires

  GB/T 35365-2017 Titanium Alloy Welding Wires for Submersibles

  GB/T 39989-2021 Superelastic Titanium-Nickel Shape Memory Alloy Bars and Wires
• Titanium alloy pipes:

  GB/T 3624-2023 Seamless Titanium and Titanium Alloy Tubes

  GB/T 3625-2007 Titanium and Titanium Alloy Tubes for Heat Exchangers and Condensers

  GB/T 26057-2010 Welded Titanium and Titanium Alloy Tubes

  GB/T 26058-2010 Extruded Titanium and Titanium Alloy Tubes

  GB/T 37606-2019 Titanium-Steel Clad Tubes

  GB/T 38526-2020 Titanium Tubes for Space Propulsion Systems

Comparison Table of Titanium Grades at Home and Abroad

Seamless Steel Pipe Market Review & Outlook: December 2025-January 2026

Overview

I. Price and Profit Performance

(1) Moderate Price Weakening in December

(2) Poor Theoretical Profit Performance of Pipe Mills in December

II. Supply Situation

Significant Supply Decline in December

III. Demand Situation

Seasonal Downturn in Transactions in December

IV. Import and Export Performance

(1) Sequential Decline in Both Exports and Imports in November

(2) Rising Import and Export Prices in November

V. Market Outlook for January 2026

• Macro Perspective: The market is in a policy vacuum with no major positive news expected in the short term.
• Supply Side: According to Mysteel's survey, concentrated maintenance and production suspensions among manufacturers are likely in January-February, leading to further supply reduction with no significant pressure on mill inventories.
• Demand Side: Market transactions will weaken further in January. Traders have shown low enthusiasm for winter stockpiling this year, with most maintaining minimal inventories. Winter stockpiled resources will gradually arrive starting January, potentially causing social inventories to shift from decline to passive increase.

1. Stainless Steel Trade Data (Jan.-Nov. 2025)

1. From January to November 2025, China's cumulative imports of stainless steel reached 1.3742 million metric tons, while cumulative exports stood at 4.5462 million metric tons.
   • In November 2025, China imported 112,100 metric tons of stainless steel products, a month-on-month decrease of 12,000 metric tons (-10%) and a year-on-year decrease of 18,100 metric tons (-14%). Among this, imports from Indonesia were 87,300 metric tons, down 16% month-on-month and 17% year-on-year. Imports from South Korea, Taiwan of China and other regions rose month-on-month, whereas those from Indonesia, Japan, Vietnam and other regions declined month-on-month. The top 5 source regions for China's stainless steel imports in November accounted for 1.047 million metric tons, representing 93.34% of the total imports.
   • For the first 11 months of 2025, China's total stainless steel imports summed up to 1.3742 million metric tons, a year-on-year decrease of 365,300 metric tons (-21%). Imports from Indonesia were 1.1044 million metric tons, down 24% year-on-year, while imports from Vietnam surged by 359% year-on-year.
   • In November 2025, China exported 405,300 metric tons of stainless steel, a month-on-month increase of 46,600 metric tons (+13%) and a year-on-year decrease of 35,200 metric tons (-8%). Exports to Vietnam reached 54,900 metric tons, up 17,200 metric tons month-on-month (+45%). Exports to Thailand, Indonesia, South Korea, Russia and other regions also increased month-on-month. The top 20 destination regions for China's stainless steel exports in November totaled 324,800 metric tons, accounting for 80.14% of the total exports.
   • From January to November 2025, China's total stainless steel exports were 4.5462 million metric tons, a year-on-year decrease of 45,900 metric tons (-1%). Exports to Vietnam reached 479,800 metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 58,900 metric tons (+14%). In November, exports to Malaysia, Pakistan, Thailand, Indonesia and other regions showed a year-on-year growth trend. The cumulative exports to the top 20 destination regions reached 3.5349 million metric tons, making up 77.76% of the total exports.
   • In November 2025, the net export volume was 293,200 metric tons, a month-on-month increase of 59,200 metric tons (+25.30%) and a year-on-year decrease of 15,900 metric tons (-5.14%).
   • From January to November 2025, the cumulative net export volume was 3.172 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 328,900 metric tons (+11.57%).

2. Nickel Ore Import Data (Jan.-Nov. 2025)

2. From January to November 2025, China's total nickel ore imports reached 40.2704 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 10.1%.
   • In November 2025, China imported 3.3395 million metric tons of nickel ore, a month-on-month decrease of 28.69% and a year-on-year increase of 2.92%. Among this, 3.0213 million metric tons were imported from the Philippines, down 30.49% month-on-month and up 4.66% year-on-year.
   • From January to November 2025, the total nickel ore imports reached 40.2704 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 10.1%. Imports from the Philippines stood at 36.5554 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 9.66%.

3. Ferronickel Import Data (Jan.-Nov. 2025)

3. From January to November 2025, China's total ferronickel imports reached 10.1533 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 27.2%.
   • In November 2025, China imported 895,400 metric tons of ferronickel, a month-on-month decrease of 1.07% and a year-on-year increase of 1.44%. Among this, 873,400 metric tons were imported from Indonesia, down 1.2% month-on-month and up 2.1% year-on-year.
   • From January to November 2025, the cumulative ferronickel imports were 10.1533 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 27.2%. Imports from Indonesia reached 9.8988 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 28.7%.

4. Refined Nickel Import Data (Jan.-Nov. 2025)

4. From January to November 2025, China's total refined nickel imports reached 207,800 metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 163.1%.
   • In November 2025, China imported 12,700 metric tons of refined nickel, a month-on-month increase of 30.07% and a year-on-year increase of 40.86%. Among this, 900 metric tons were imported from Russia, a month-on-month decrease of 17.33% and a year-on-year decrease of 84.87%.
   • From January to November 2025, the cumulative refined nickel imports were 207,800 metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 163.1%. Imports from Russia reached 75,500 metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 104.8%.

5. Chrome Ore Import Data (Jan.-Nov. 2025)

5. From January to November 2025, China's total chrome ore imports reached 20.9209 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 10.46%.
   • In November 2025, China imported 2.4273 million metric tons of chrome ore, a month-on-month increase of 9.29% and a year-on-year increase of 41.19%. Among this, 2.0073 million metric tons were imported from South Africa, up 12.44% month-on-month and 40.25% year-on-year.
   • From January to November 2025, the cumulative chrome ore imports were 20.9209 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 10.46%. Imports from South Africa reached 17.3298 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 12.59%.

6. Ferrochrome Import Data (Jan.-Nov. 2025)

6. From January to November 2025, China's cumulative ferrochrome imports reached 2.3305 million metric tons, a year-on-year decrease of 31.49%.
   • In November 2025, China imported 126,200 metric tons of ferrochrome, a month-on-month decrease of 9.68% and a year-on-year decrease of 59.43%. Among this, 4,300 metric tons were imported from South Africa, a month-on-month decrease of 87.11% and a year-on-year decrease of 97.55%.
   • From January to November 2025, the cumulative ferrochrome imports were 2.3305 million metric tons, a year-on-year decrease of 31.49%. Imports from South Africa reached 955,200 metric tons, a year-on-year decrease of 43.12%.

7. Manganese Ore Import Data (Jan.-Nov. 2025)

7. From January to November 2025, China's cumulative manganese ore imports reached 29.5088 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 10.13%.
   • In November 2025, China imported 2.635 million metric tons of manganese ore, a month-on-month decrease of 15.01% and a year-on-year increase of 19.68%. Among this, 1.5476 million metric tons were imported from South Africa, up 2.74% month-on-month and 24.98% year-on-year. Imports from Australia were 371,600 metric tons, down 29.73% month-on-month and up 267.11% year-on-year.
   • From January to November 2025, the cumulative manganese ore imports were 29.5088 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 10.13%. Imports from South Africa reached 15.6697 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 6.3%, while imports from Australia stood at 3.0034 million metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 42.27%.

8. Scrap Stainless Steel Import Data (Jan.-Nov. 2025)

8. From January to November 2025, China's cumulative scrap stainless steel imports reached 108,400 metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 23.8%.
   • In November 2025, China imported 15,400 metric tons of scrap stainless steel, a month-on-month increase of 104.1% and a year-on-year increase of 133.32%.
   • From January to November 2025, the total scrap stainless steel imports were 108,400 metric tons, a year-on-year increase of 23.8%.