Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel

Compare Aluminum 6061-T6 vs. DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel3D printed metal (DMLS)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen	861MPasourcemean, as built, horizontal (N=72)
Ultimate tensile strength	310MPasourcetypical	886MPasourcemean, as built, horizontal (N=72)
Elongation at break	17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen	19.9%sourcemean at break, as built, horizontal
Young's modulus (stiffness)	68.3GPasourcetypical	197GPasourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition H 900 (Cleveland-Cliffs)
Density	2,700kg/m³sourcenominal	7,790kg/m³sourcemean part density (ISO 3369)
Strength to weight	102kN·m/kg	110kN·m/kg8% higher
Stiffness to weight	25.3MN·m/kg	25.3MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)	0.272sourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, all conditions (Cleveland-Cliffs)
Shear modulus	25.7GPa	77.4GPa3.02x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	67GPa	144GPa
Speed of sound	5,030m/s	5,029m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	17.9W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition H 900, at 149 °C (Cleveland-Cliffs)
Thermal expansion	23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	10.4µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228, AFTER atmospheric heat treatment (as-built value not published)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	118µm growth	52µm growth2.27x less
Specific heat	896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	460J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition A, 0-100 °C (Cleveland-Cliffs)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	69mm²/s13.8x faster	5mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	19,159W/m3.5x more resistant	5,474W/m
Melting point	582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus	not sourced
Values for	6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J	EOS StainlessSteel 17-4PH IndustryLine (powder 9011-0041), EOS M 290, 40 µm, default job 17-4PH_040_StainlessM291_100, as built, horizontal; ISO 6892 & ASTM E8M

Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Aluminum 6061-T6 stronger than DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 861 MPa against 276 MPa for Aluminum 6061-T6 (3.12x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel?

Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter: 2,700 kg/m³ against 7,790 kg/m³ for DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 197 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum 6061-T6, so the same part in DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6061-T6 or DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate; DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is lighter for a strong rod or tie.

Part that must be	Aluminum 6061-T6	DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	about equal	about equal
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.7x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.03x heavier
Strong rod or tie	8% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	lighter	35% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	1.63x heavier

For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).

Which conducts heat better, Aluminum 6061-T6 or DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel?

Aluminum 6061-T6 conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 17.9 W/m·K for DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel expands less: 10.4 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum 6061-T6.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density