When I first started sourcing titanium washers for my shop—back when I was just testing different materials for a custom bike build I was helping a friend with—I had no clue how big of a difference picking the right washer material would make. I’d always gone for brass like every other part store recommended, but after that project, I realized there’s way more to it than just grabbing the cheapest option off the shelf. Now, as someone who’s been supplying titanium washers for a few years, I get asked all the time: how do these two actually stack up? Let’s break this down like I would with a customer who stops by my desk—no fancy jargon, just real talk based on what I’ve seen in the field and the data I keep for orders. Titanium Washer
First off, let’s get the basics straight. Washers do two main jobs, right? They spread out the load so a bolt doesn’t dig into whatever it’s fastening, and they act as a barrier between two materials that might react if they touch. That’s why picking the wrong one can turn a simple fix into a headache fast. Now, brass washers—everyone’s used ’em. They’re cheap, easy to find, soft enough that they don’t scratch most surfaces, and they look polished, so they feel like a “nice” option for visible parts. But here’s the thing about brass: it’s a copper-zinc alloy, and it’s heavy. Like, for the same size washer, a brass one is almost 3x heavier than a titanium one. That might not matter if you’re fixing a cabinet handle, but if you’re building a race car, a mountain bike, or even a piece of industrial machinery that has to move fast? Every extra ounce adds up. I once had a customer who raced motocross switch to our titanium washers for his engine mounts—he cut almost half a pound off his bike in just that one small part, and he said it made a noticeable difference in how the bike handled over jumps. Told him he couldn’t stop raving for a month, which is why he’s now a regular.
Then there’s strength. Brass is soft, right? It’s great for not scratching, but it bends way too easily under pressure. I had a customer send back a set of brass washers last year because they squished flat under the bolts holding his patio awning brackets. He’d used them because they looked good with his outdoor woodwork, but when the wind picked up, the washers couldn’t distribute the load like they should’ve—so the bolts pulled right through the wood. Titanium, on the other hand, has a way higher strength-to-weight ratio. For the same size and thickness, a titanium washer is almost twice as strong as brass, and it’s way more durable. It doesn’t bend, deform, or squish even when you’re cranking down on a bolt to secure heavy parts. Of course, I should mention this isn’t unbreakable—you can over-tighten anything, but titanium holds up to that way better than brass.
Next, corrosion resistance, which is huge if your parts are going outside or in wet environments. Brass corroded, just slower than copper. Over time, it gets that greenish patina that’s not great looking, and if it’s exposed to salt (like near the ocean or on a winter road that gets salted), it’ll pit and wear out fast. I had a customer who used brass washers for his sailboat’s railings—within two seasons, the washers had corroded so bad that the bolts started to seize. That’s a nightmare when you’re out on the water. Titanium? It forms a super thin oxide layer the second it’s exposed to air, and that layer seals it in so it barely reacts with anything. Saltwater, acid, rain, even chemicals in industrial settings—titanium washers hold up for years without rusting or corroding. I’ve got customers who put their titanium washers on fence gates that get rained on every day, and they still look brand new 5 years later. Brass washers? You’re lucky if they last that long outdoors.
Price is always a big question, so let’s talk about that. Right now, titanium washers cost a bit more upfront than brass ones—like, maybe 2 to 3 times as much per piece. But wait, you have to look at the long game. If you buy a $1 brass washer that lasts 6 months, but a $3 titanium washer lasts 5 years, which is the better deal? That math adds up quick. Plus, you don’t have to deal with the cost of replacing failed washers, fixing parts that got damaged because the washers couldn’t hold up, or even emergency calls when a part falls apart mid-use. I always tell customers if they’re using washers for a one-time, indoor project that doesn’t need heavy lifting, brass is fine. But if it’s something that matters—your car, bike, boat, industrial equipment, even a deck that’s part of your home’s exterior—spending a little extra on titanium saves you money in the long run.
Wait, I should also mention galvanic corrosion, because that’s something a lot of people don’t know about. If two different metals touch each other in a wet environment, they can create a chemical reaction that eats away at one of them. Brass is a copper alloy, and if it touches steel (which most bolts are made of), when moisture gets in, it causes galvanic corrosion. I had a customer who used brass washers to fasten steel bolts to his garage door frame—within a year, the steel bolts were rusted so bad he had to cut them out. Titanium is much more compatible with most other metals. It doesn’t cause that reaction, so you don’t have to worry about parts seizing or rusting together. That’s a big one for anyone working with metal parts that are exposed to the elements.
Of course, titanium isn’t perfect. It’s not as easy to machine as brass, so the edges of some cheap titanium washers might be a little rough if you buy from a bad supplier. That’s why I only source my titanium washers from trusted mills that finish the edges properly—no sharp burrs, so you don’t scratch whatever you’re fastening. And like I said earlier, the upfront cost is higher, but I think most people who use them once switch over permanently. I’ve had so many customers come back after trying titanium washers for a project and say they’ll never go back to brass. One guy builds custom trailers—he switched all his bolt hardware and washers to titanium last year, and he told me his trailers are holding up way better through the rough farm roads he uses them on.
Another thing people don’t think about is weight for portable or moving parts. If you’re building a drone, a RC car, or any kind of small equipment that needs to be light, titanium washers are a no-brainer. For example, a standard M5 washer: brass is like 2.5 grams, titanium is less than 1 gram. That’s a huge difference when you’re building something where every gram counts. I had a customer who builds custom quadcopters switch to my titanium washers, and he got an extra 5 minutes of flight time out of his battery just from that small change. Can’t beat that.
Let’s also talk about temperature resistance. If you’re working with parts that get hot—like engine parts, exhaust systems, or kitchen appliances—brass starts to soften around 200 degrees Celsius. That means if it’s holding a hot exhaust manifold, it might deform and stop working properly. Titanium can handle way higher temperatures—up to like 600 degrees Celsius without losing its strength. So if you’re working on a car, motorcycle, or any part that gets hot, titanium is way more reliable. I once had a customer who used brass washers on his motorcycle’s exhaust bolts; after a few track days, the washers had deformed so bad he had to replace them mid-race. Switched to my titanium ones, and he’s never had an issue since.
So when should you pick brass vs. titanium? Let’s break it down simple. Go with brass if: it’s a temporary, indoor project, you’re on a super tight budget, and you don’t care about long-term durability. Go with titanium if: it’s a permanent, outdoor or heavy-use project, you care about weight and performance, you need corrosion resistance, or you want to avoid the hassle of replacing parts down the line.
I know switching from what you’re used to can be weird, especially with washers which seem like such a small part. But trust me, I’ve been doing this long enough to see the difference. A lot of customers come in thinking titanium is just a fancy upgrade, but once they start using them, they realize it’s not about being fancy—it’s about doing the job right, and not having to deal with headaches later.
SOFC/SOEC Accessories If you’re not sure which washer is right for your project, or you’ve got questions about sizes, grades, or how many you need, hit me up. I work directly with every order, so I can help you pick the right one, answer any questions, or even send a sample if you want to test titanium washers for yourself. No pressure, just honest advice from someone who’s been in your shoes testing these materials out. At the end of the day, the last thing you want is a washer failing when you need it most—whether that’s at a race, on a sail, or just holding up your deck for years. Don’t cut corners on something that small, it’ll save you so much more in the long run.
References
- "Titanium vs. Brass Washers: A Comparative Analysis of Mechanical and Corrosive Properties", Journal of Fastener Technology, 2021.
- "Galvanic Corrosion Compatibility Guide for Common Structural Metals", National Association of Corrosion Engineers (NACE), 2020.
- "Weight-Strength Ratios for Fastener Materials in Mobile Applications", SAE International Technical Paper, 2022.
- "Environmental Resistance of Titanium Alloys for Outdoor Hardware", Materials Performance Magazine, 2019.
- "Cost-Benefit Analysis of Alternative Washer Materials for Industrial Applications", Industrial Fasteners Institute, 2023.
Baoji Top Titanium Industry Co., Ltd.
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