DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. Plastic Polypropylene

Compare DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. Plastic Polypropylene strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum3D printed metal (DMLS)

Plastic PolypropyleneBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	270MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	33MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527
Ultimate tensile strength	450MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	not sourced
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)	1.45GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527
Density	2,670kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), EOS M 290, AlSi10Mg_030_FlexM291 (30 µm)	900kg/m³sourcetypical, 23 °C ISO 1183-1
Strength to weight	101kN·m/kg2.76x higher	36.7kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	27MN·m/kg16.7x higher	1.61MN·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)	0.42sourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene)
Shear modulus	27.1GPa53x stiffer in shear	0.511GPa
Bulk modulus	70.6GPa	3.02GPa
Speed of sound	5,193m/s	1,269m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	110W/m·Ksourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal (ISO 22007-2)	0.17–0.22W/m·Ksourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene)
Thermal expansion	20µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228	80–100µm/m·Ksourcebase material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	100µm growth4.5x less	450µm growth
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (MIL-HDBK-5J), at 100 °C	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	42.8mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	13,819W/m483x more resistant	28.6W/m
Max service temperature	not sourced	90°CsourceHDT 0.45 MPa (ISO 75B), unannealed
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	LyondellBasell Moplen HP501H polypropylene homopolymer (general purpose), typical ISO 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 Plastic Polypropylene?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is stronger: its yield strength is 270 MPa against 33 MPa for Plastic Polypropylene (8.18x).

Which is lighter, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Plastic Polypropylene?

Plastic Polypropylene is lighter: 900 kg/m³ against 2,670 kg/m³ for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum.

Which is stiffer, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Plastic Polypropylene?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is stiffer: Young's modulus 72 GPa against 1.45 GPa for Plastic Polypropylene, 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 Polypropylene?

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 Polypropylene is lighter for a strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum	Plastic Polypropylene
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	16.7x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.38x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	24% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	2.76x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	37% heavier
Strong panel or plate	4% 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 Polypropylene?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum conducts heat better: 110 W/m·K against 0.195 W/m·K for Plastic Polypropylene.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum expands less: 20 µm/m·K against 90 µm/m·K for Plastic Polypropylene.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density