ELI is sometimes used for tig rod since it does a better job of controlling the amount of gases trapped within the structure of the Titanium and is less sensitive to embrittlement. With that said, its primary purpose is Bio-Medical applications.
In regards to bending sheet and rod, most people that have problems don't have the right equipment for the job.. My bender was designed and built to bend rod. It can bend titanium and aluminum rod all the way down to a .125" radius, but it doesn't stand a chance bending thin wall high tensile tubing. However there is a company I know of with a 750K bender that can shape 7075 T-6 Aluminum thin wall tubing like butter. Its about the right tools for the job.. Its the reason carpenters use hammers and not pipe wrenches…

