Aluminum 7050-T7451 vs. DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel

Compare Aluminum 7050-T7451 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	469MPasourcetypical, longitudinal, 0.2% offset	861MPasourcemean, as built, horizontal (N=72)
Ultimate tensile strength	524MPasourcetypical, longitudinal	886MPasourcemean, as built, horizontal (N=72)
Elongation at break	11%sourcetypical, longitudinal	19.9%sourcemean at break, as built, horizontal
Young's modulus (stiffness)	70.3GPasourcetypical	197GPasourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition H 900 (Cleveland-Cliffs)
Density	2,830kg/m³sourcenominal	7,790kg/m³sourcemean part density (ISO 3369)
Strength to weight	166kN·m/kg1.5x higher	110kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	24.8MN·m/kg	25.3MN·m/kg2% higher
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)	0.272sourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, all conditions (Cleveland-Cliffs)
Shear modulus	26.4GPa	77.4GPa2.93x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	68.9GPa	144GPa
Speed of sound	4,984m/s	5,029m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	157W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	17.9W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition H 900, at 149 °C (Cleveland-Cliffs)
Thermal expansion	23.5µm/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 growth2.26x less
Specific heat	860J/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)	64.5mm²/s12.9x faster	5mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	29,862W/m5.46x more resistant	5,474W/m
Melting point	524–635°Csourcemelting range	not sourced
Values for	7050-T7451 plate, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet (longitudinal); 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 7050-T7451 stronger than DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 861 MPa against 469 MPa for Aluminum 7050-T7451 (1.83x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 is lighter: 2,830 kg/m³ against 7,790 kg/m³ for DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 197 GPa against 70.3 GPa for Aluminum 7050-T7451, so the same part in DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 7050-T7451 or DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 7050-T7451 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).

Part that must be	Aluminum 7050-T7451	DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	2% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.64x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	1.95x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	1.5x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.84x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	2.03x 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 7050-T7451 or DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel?

Aluminum 7050-T7451 conducts heat better: 157 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 23.5 µm/m·K for Aluminum 7050-T7451.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density