DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel

Compare DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum3D printed metal (DMLS)

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel3D printed metal (DMLS)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	270MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	861MPasourcemean, as built, horizontal (N=72)
Ultimate tensile strength	450MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	886MPasourcemean, as built, horizontal (N=72)
Elongation at break	10.2%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal	19.9%sourcemean at break, as built, horizontal
Young's modulus (stiffness)	72GPasourcesame material and process, different machine maker: Renishaw RenAM 500, 30 µm, as built, horizontal (XY)	197GPasourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition H 900 (Cleveland-Cliffs)
Density	2,670kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), EOS M 290, AlSi10Mg_030_FlexM291 (30 µm)	7,790kg/m³sourcemean part density (ISO 3369)
Strength to weight	101kN·m/kg	110kN·m/kg9% higher
Stiffness to weight	27MN·m/kg7% higher	25.3MN·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)	0.272sourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, all conditions (Cleveland-Cliffs)
Shear modulus	27.1GPa	77.4GPa2.86x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	70.6GPa	144GPa
Speed of sound	5,193m/s	5,029m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	110W/m·Ksourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal (ISO 22007-2)	17.9W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition H 900, at 149 °C (Cleveland-Cliffs)
Thermal expansion	20µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228	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	100µm growth	52µm growth1.92x less
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (MIL-HDBK-5J), at 100 °C	460J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition A, 0-100 °C (Cleveland-Cliffs)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	42.8mm²/s8.56x faster	5mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	13,819W/m2.52x more resistant	5,474W/m
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	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 AlSi10Mg Aluminum and DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum stronger than DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 861 MPa against 270 MPa for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum (3.19x).

Which is lighter, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is lighter: 2,670 kg/m³ against 7,790 kg/m³ for DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel.

Which is stiffer, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 197 GPa against 72 GPa for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum, so the same part in DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel?

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; DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is lighter for a strong rod or tie.

Part that must be	DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum	DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	7% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.76x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.09x heavier
Strong rod or tie	9% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	lighter	35% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	1.63x 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 DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum conducts heat better: 110 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 20 µm/m·K for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density