DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. DMLS 316L Stainless Steel

Compare DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. DMLS 316L Stainless Steel strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum3D printed metal (DMLS)

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel3D printed metal (DMLS)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	270MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	530MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal1.96x stronger
Ultimate tensile strength	450MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	640MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal42% stronger
Elongation at break	10.2%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal	40%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal3.92x more ductile
Young's modulus (stiffness)	72GPasourcesame material and process, different machine maker: Renishaw RenAM 500, 30 µm, as built, horizontal (XY)	185GPasourcetypical, as built, horizontal (XY); EOSINT M280-400W / M290-400W, 316L_Surface 1.0, 20 µm (2014 sheet)
Density	2,670kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), EOS M 290, AlSi10Mg_030_FlexM291 (30 µm)	7,900kg/m³sourcepart density (ISO 3369, not labelled min or typical), EOS M 290, 40 µm FlexLine
Strength to weight	101kN·m/kg1.51x higher	67.1kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	27MN·m/kg15% higher	23.4MN·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)	0.3sourcebase material: austenitic stainless steels incl. 1.4404 (316L), design value
Shear modulus	27.1GPa	71.2GPa2.63x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	70.6GPa	154GPa
Speed of sound	5,193m/s	4,839m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	110W/m·Ksourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal (ISO 22007-2)	16.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), at 100 °C
Thermal expansion	20µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228	15.7µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E22827% less
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	100µm growth	78.6µm growth27% less
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (MIL-HDBK-5J), at 100 °C	500J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), 0-100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	42.8mm²/s10.4x faster	4.1mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	13,819W/m6.69x more resistant	2,067W/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 316L (powder 9011-0032), EOS M 290, ParameterSet 316L 20µm Surface M290/400W, as manufactured, horizontal; ISO 6892-1

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 316L 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 316L Stainless Steel?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 530 MPa against 270 MPa for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum (1.96x).

Which is lighter, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is lighter: 2,670 kg/m³ against 7,900 kg/m³ for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel.

Which is stiffer, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 185 GPa against 72 GPa for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum, so the same part in DMLS 316L Stainless Steel deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or DMLS 316L 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 rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum	DMLS 316L Stainless Steel
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	15% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.85x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.16x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	1.51x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.89x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	2.11x 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 is more ductile, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel stretches further before it breaks: 40% elongation at break against 10.2% for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum.

Which conducts heat better, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum conducts heat better: 110 W/m·K against 16.2 W/m·K for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel expands less: 15.7 µm/m·K against 20 µm/m·K for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density