DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. Nickel Inconel 718

Compare DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. Nickel Inconel 718 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum3D printed metal (DMLS)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	270MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	1,207MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. hot-rolled bar, 0.2% offset
Ultimate tensile strength	450MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	1,389MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar
Elongation at break	10.2%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal	20%sourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar
Young's modulus (stiffness)	72GPasourcesame material and process, different machine maker: Renishaw RenAM 500, 30 µm, as built, horizontal (XY)	200GPasourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged
Density	2,670kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), EOS M 290, AlSi10Mg_030_FlexM291 (30 µm)	8,221kg/m³sourcenominal, annealed and aged
Strength to weight	101kN·m/kg	147kN·m/kg45% higher
Stiffness to weight	27MN·m/kg11% higher	24.3MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (Al-9Si-0.6Mg, closest MIL-HDBK-5J alloy to AlSi10Mg / EN AC-43000)	0.294sourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged
Shear modulus	27.1GPa	77.3GPa2.86x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	70.6GPa	162GPa
Speed of sound	5,193m/s	4,932m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	110W/m·Ksourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal (ISO 22007-2)	11.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged (calculated from resistivity per footnote a)
Thermal expansion	20µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228	13.2µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 21-93 °C, annealed + aged
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	100µm growth	66µm growth1.52x less
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (MIL-HDBK-5J), at 100 °C	435J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	42.8mm²/s13.4x faster	3.19mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	13,819W/m3.76x more resistant	3,680W/m
Melting point	not sourced	1,260–1,336°Csourcemelting range
Max service temperature	not sourced	704°Csourceupper use temperature stated by producer
Values for	EOS Aluminium AlSi10Mg (powder 9011-0024), EOS M 290 \| 30 µm process (AlSi10Mg_FlexM291 2.01), as manufactured, horizontal; machined (turned) specimens, ISO 6892-1 B10	INCONEL alloy 718, standard grade, 1750 °F/1 hr anneal + 1325 °F/8 hr F.C. to 1150 °F aged; Special Metals bulletin SMC-045 typical values

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 AlSi10Mg Aluminum is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum stronger than Nickel Inconel 718?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stronger: its yield strength is 1,207 MPa against 270 MPa for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum (4.47x).

Which is lighter, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Nickel Inconel 718?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is lighter: 2,670 kg/m³ against 8,221 kg/m³ for Nickel Inconel 718.

Which is stiffer, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Nickel Inconel 718?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 72 GPa for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum, so the same part in Nickel Inconel 718 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Nickel Inconel 718?

For the same stiffness or strength: DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Nickel Inconel 718 is lighter for a strong rod or tie.

Part that must be	DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum	Nickel Inconel 718
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	11% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.85x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.19x heavier
Strong rod or tie	45% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	lighter	13% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	46% 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, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Nickel Inconel 718?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum conducts heat better: 110 W/m·K against 11.4 W/m·K for Nickel Inconel 718.

Which expands less with temperature?

Nickel Inconel 718 expands less: 13.2 µm/m·K against 20 µm/m·K for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density