Are Grade 5 Titanium Bolts Magnetic?

One of the quickest ways riders try to verify their titanium hardware is the magnet test. But does it actually work? Here's what you need to know.

The Short Answer: No, Titanium Is Not Magnetic

Grade 5 titanium (Ti-6Al-4V) is paramagnetic — meaning it has an extremely weak, effectively negligible response to magnetic fields. In practical terms, a standard magnet will not stick to it. This is one of the properties that makes titanium useful in applications where magnetic interference is a concern.

Can You Use a Magnet to Verify Titanium?

Partially. The magnet test can help you rule out regular carbon steel — if a magnet sticks firmly, it's almost certainly not titanium. However, the magnet test alone cannot confirm that a bolt is Grade 5 titanium, because several other metals also fail to attract magnets:

• Grade 2 (commercially pure) titanium — also non-magnetic
• Austenitic stainless steel (304, 316) — weakly or non-magnetic
• Aluminum — non-magnetic

A bolt that doesn't attract a magnet could be any of the above. The magnet test is a useful first filter, not a definitive verification.

How to Actually Verify Grade 5 Titanium

The most reliable methods are:

• Source verification: Buy from a trusted supplier who certifies their material (like us — all our hardware is certified Grade 5 6AL-4V)
• Spark test: Titanium produces bright white sparks when ground — different from steel's orange sparks and aluminum's lack of sparks
• Weight: Grade 5 titanium is noticeably lighter than steel of the same size
• XRF analysis: The gold standard for material verification

Shop Certified Grade 5 Titanium Hardware

All hardware at Titanium Surron is certified Grade 5 (6AL-4V). Browse our full titanium hardware range and individual bolts, nuts, and washers — shipped same day from Chicago.