Kobe Steel’s Titanium

Pioneering Titanium in Japan
Kobe Steel was the first company in Japan to begin research and development on titanium in 1949, and has the longest history with titanium than any other company.
With over 60 years of experience in titanium, we have supported the growth of industries across a wide range of fields.
Japan’s Only Fully Integrated Titanium Manufacturer
Being an integrated manufacturer that handles everything from titanium melting to final product enables Kobe Steel to provide consistent quality design and quality control.
Trusted, High-Quality Titanium for Aircraft
Kobe Steel’s advanced technical expertise and proven track record in titanium forgings—along with our fully integrated manufacturing system—have earned us numerous supplier certifications from aircraft and engine manufacturers in Japan and around the world.
Wide Range of Product Grades
We offer a broad lineup of materials, from commercially pure titanium to titanium alloys, and support a wide variety of product forms—from sheets to forgings.
World-Class In-House Facilities for Titanium Production
Our dedicated titanium facilities, made possible by our status as titanium pioneers, continue to produce products of the highest quality.
Our Dedicated Titanium Production Facilities
Charge-type melting furnace
Continuous annealing and pickling line
Vacuum annealing furnace
Ring rolling mill
8,000-ton press
Tandem hot rolling mill

Commitment to New Materials and Technologies

We develop materials, joining technologies, and functional surface treatments tailored to diverse applications and customer needs.

Materials and Technologies Developed by Kobe Steel

Category Name Composition Key Features
Commercially pure titanium Titanium for building materials Commercially pure titanium Resistant to pocket-shape waves, low gloss, and discoloration over time
Titanium for forming applications Commercially Pure Titanium Customizable material properties and surface quality based on forming requirements
Titanium Alloys KS100、KS120 Ti-Fe-O-(Si) Excellent scratch resistance, polishability; higher strength than Ti-3Al-2.5V using cost-effective alloying elements
AKOT Ti-Ni-Pd-Ru-Cr Exceptional corrosion resistance
KSTI-5TA Resistant to high-temperature and high concentration nitric acid
KSTI-1.5AL Heat resistance, hydrogen absorption resistance, and formability equivalent to commercially pure titanium
KSTI-1.2ASNEX Ti-Al-Si-Nb Oxidation resistance and formability equivalent to commercially pure titanium
KSTI-0.9SA Ti-Al-Si Oxidation resistance and formability equivalent to commercially pure titanium
KSTI-9 Ti-Al-Mo-V-Fe-Si-C Cold rolling possible; properties equivalent to Ti-6Al-4V
KS EL-F Ti-Al-Cr-Fe-C Hot forgeability and machinability equivalent to commercially pure titanium
KS5-3-1C Ti-Al-Cr-Fe-C Hot forgeability and machinability equivalent to commercially pure titanium
KS16-4-3-3 Ti-V-Sn-Al-Nb Excellent cold workability
KS15-5-3 Ti-Mo-Zr-Al Ultra-high strength and exceptional corrosion resistance
KS15-0-3 Ti-Mo-Al Ultra-low Young’s modulus
Joining Technology Dissimilar metal welding technology - Enables welding of titanium to other metals (steel, stainless steel, etc.)
Surface Treatments PdO/TiO2 treatment - Exceptional corrosion resistance
KENI FINE - Antibacterial properties
Inorganic clear coating for titanium - Resistant to discoloration over time, easy to clean, scratch-resistant, and fingerprint-resistant

Awards and Recognitions

The technological developments of Kobe Steel, a pioneer of titanium development in Japan, have played a key role in today’s global expansion of titanium applications.
Our technological advancements have been widely recognized, earning numerous awards in various areas.

  Technology Development Award Details
2023
  • NC Titanium for fuel cell separators
  • The Ichimura Prize in Industry for Excellent Achievement
2022
  • NC Titanium for fuel cell separators
  • Gold Prize, 63rd Tamiya Awards
2021
  • NC Titanium for fuel cell separators
  • METI Minister’s Award, 37th Advanced Materials Technology Awards (Sokeizai Center)
2021
  • NC Titanium for fuel cell separators
  • Project Award from Toyota Motor Corporation
2003
  • Development of high-corrosion-resistant titanium tubes for seawater heat exchangers
  • Medal with Purple Ribbon (Dr. Hiroshi Sato)
2000
  • Ring rolling for titanium alloy fan case of V2500 jet engine
  • Technology Invention Award, 35th Japan Society of Technology of Plasticity
1997
  • Development of high-corrosion-resistant titanium tubes for seawater heat exchangers
  • Science and Technology Meritorious Award, Secretary Prize of Science and Technology Agency (Dr. Hiroshi Sato)
1996
  • Contributions to titanium industry
  • Order of the Sacred Treasure, Gold Rays with Rosette (Dr. Hidetake Kusamichi)
1995
  • Development of titanium and titanium alloys
  • Science and Technology Meritorious Award, Secretary Prize of Science and Technology Agency (Dr. Takashi Nishimura)
1991
  • Development of Shinkai 6500
  • Prime Minister’s Award, Japan Industrial Technology Awards
1986
1988
  • Research on titanium alloy pressure hull for Shinkai 6500
  • Japan Society of Naval Architects and Ocean Engineers Award
  • ClassNK Award
  • Chairman’s Award, The Nippon Foundation
  • Defense Technology Paper Award
1982
  • Development and commercialization of thin-walled welded titanium tubes for thermal and nuclear power plants
  • 28th Okochi Memorial Production Award
1974
  • Invention of novel titanium melting method (Kobe Method)
  • Medal with Purple Ribbon (Dr. Hidetake Kusamichi, Dr. Yoshiro Yagi, and Dr. Toru Yukawa)
1963
  • Application of titanium to chemical industry
  • Special steel production technologies (including Cons-el melting technology)
  • 9th Okochi Memorial Production Award
  • Medal with Purple Ribbon (Dr. Zenichiro Takao)
1959
  • Titanium research and establishment of titanium melting/manufacturing technology
  • Hyogo Prefecture Science and Technology Award (FY1959)
1958
  • Establishment and practical application of titanium welding technology
  • Sasaki Award, Japan Welding Society
1956
  • Research on titanium and titanium alloys
  • Jeffries Award, Japan Institute of Metals and Materials

User Support System

With expertise in material design and processing technologies built up over the years, we support product development across a wide range of applications—from golf clubs to jet engine components. Our knowledge and experience help enable faster, more cost-effective development.

Contact Us

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