DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. Plastic POM/Acetal

Compare DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. Plastic POM/Acetal strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum3D printed metal (DMLS)

Plastic POM/AcetalBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	270MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	69MPasourcetypical (single ASTM D638 tensile strength)
Ultimate tensile strength	450MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	69MPasourcetypical
Compressive strength	not sourced	124MPasourcecompressive stress at 10% deformation
Flexural strength	not sourced	99MPasourceflexural yield strength, typical
Elongation at break	10.2%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal	75%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	72GPasourcesame material and process, different machine maker: Renishaw RenAM 500, 30 µm, as built, horizontal (XY)	2.8GPasourcetypical
Density	2,670kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), EOS M 290, AlSi10Mg_030_FlexM291 (30 µm)	1,420kg/m³sourcetypical (DuPont product information for Delrin 100 NC010; 'The data listed here fall within the normal range of product properties')
Strength to weight	101kN·m/kg2.08x higher	48.6kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	27MN·m/kg13.7x higher	1.97MN·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)	0.35sourcetypical
Shear modulus	27.1GPa26.1x stiffer in shear	1.04GPa
Bulk modulus	70.6GPa	3.11GPa
Speed of sound	5,193m/s	1,404m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	110W/m·Ksourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal (ISO 22007-2)	0.4W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	20µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228	122µm/m·Ksourcemean, 29 to 60 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	100µm growth6.1x less	610µm growth
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (MIL-HDBK-5J), at 100 °C	1,465J/kg·Ksourceaverage -18 to 100 °C, Delrin acetal resins (not grade-specific)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	42.8mm²/s222x faster	0.192mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	13,819W/m263x more resistant	52.5W/m
Melting point	not sourced	175°Csourcecrystalline melting point
Max service temperature	not sourced	125°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa (annealed)
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	DuPont Delrin 100 acetal homopolymer, Table 2 'Typical Properties of Delrin Acetal Resins' (ASTM methods), Delrin Design Guide Module III hosted on delrin.com

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 Plastic POM/Acetal?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is stronger: its yield strength is 270 MPa against 69 MPa for Plastic POM/Acetal (3.91x).

Which is lighter, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Plastic POM/Acetal?

Plastic POM/Acetal is lighter: 1,420 kg/m³ against 2,670 kg/m³ for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum.

Which is stiffer, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Plastic POM/Acetal?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is stiffer: Young's modulus 72 GPa against 2.8 GPa for Plastic POM/Acetal, 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 POM/Acetal?

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, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum	Plastic POM/Acetal
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	13.7x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.7x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	1.57x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	2.08x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	32% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	5% 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 Plastic POM/Acetal?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum conducts heat better: 110 W/m·K against 0.4 W/m·K for Plastic POM/Acetal.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum expands less: 20 µm/m·K against 122 µm/m·K for Plastic POM/Acetal.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density