DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. Plastic Nylon

Compare DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. Plastic Nylon 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	63.1MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	450MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	63.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength	not sourced	82.9MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	10.2%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal	not sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)	72GPasourcesame material and process, different machine maker: Renishaw RenAM 500, 30 µm, as built, horizontal (XY)	2.33GPasourcetypical
Density	2,670kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), EOS M 290, AlSi10Mg_030_FlexM291 (30 µm)	1,140kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	101kN·m/kg1.83x higher	55.4kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	27MN·m/kg13.2x higher	2.04MN·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)	0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	27.1GPa32.5x stiffer in shear	0.833GPa
Bulk modulus	70.6GPa	3.89GPa
Speed of sound	5,193m/s	1,430m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	110W/m·Ksourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal (ISO 22007-2)	0.33W/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both)
Thermal expansion	20µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228	98–102µm/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K, 98) and PA6 (B3S, 102), 23-55 C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	100µm growth5x less	500µm growth
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (MIL-HDBK-5J), at 100 °C	1,700J/kg·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	42.8mm²/s251x faster	0.17mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	13,819W/m258x more resistant	53.6W/m
Melting point	not sourced	188°Csourcetypical
Glass transition	not sourced	55.1°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	not sourced	89.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
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	Ultimaker Nylon, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat), conditioned >=24 h at room temperature; Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS v2.00, April 20, 2022.

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 and Plastic Nylon are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum stronger than Plastic Nylon?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is stronger: its yield strength is 270 MPa against 63.1 MPa for Plastic Nylon (4.28x).

Which is lighter, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Plastic Nylon?

Plastic Nylon is lighter: 1,140 kg/m³ against 2,670 kg/m³ for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum.

Which is stiffer, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Plastic Nylon?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is stiffer: Young's modulus 72 GPa against 2.33 GPa for Plastic Nylon, so the same part in DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Plastic Nylon?

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 rod or tie, strong beam; Plastic Nylon is lighter for a strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum	Plastic Nylon
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	13.2x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.37x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	34% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	1.83x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	13% heavier
Strong panel or plate	13% heavier	lighter

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 Plastic Nylon?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum conducts heat better: 110 W/m·K against 0.33 W/m·K for Plastic Nylon.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum expands less: 20 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density