Materials / Compare
DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. Steel
Compare DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. Steel strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 270MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal | 385MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey), as reported by AISC |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 450MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal | 505MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey) |
| 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) | 200GPasourcedesign value (AISC 360-16) |
| Density | 2,670kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), EOS M 290, AlSi10Mg_030_FlexM291 (30 µm) | 7,850kg/m³sourcenominal (constructional data) |
| Strength to weight | 101kN·m/kg2.06x higher | 49kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 27MN·m/kg6% higher | 25.5MN·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) | 0.3sourcedesign value (AISC 360-16 Commentary) |
| Shear modulus | 27.1GPa | 76.9GPa2.84x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 70.6GPa | 167GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,193m/s | 5,048m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 110W/m·Ksourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal (ISO 22007-2) | 48W/m·Ksourcenominal at 20 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 20µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228 | 12µm/m·Ksourcenominal (constructional data, no temperature range stated) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 100µm growth | 60µm growth1.67x less |
| Specific heat | 963J/kg·Ksourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (MIL-HDBK-5J), at 100 °C | 460–480J/kg·Ksourcebase material: EN S275JR unalloyed structural steel (the EN counterpart of A36), typical, 50/100 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 42.8mm²/s3.29x faster | 13mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 13,819W/m2.56x more resistant | 5,390W/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 | Generic structural steel, cited as ASTM A992 (the current US structural grade): ASTM A992 W-shapes; Fy/Fu specified minimums from AISC publications (AISC 360-16 Commentary; Modern Steel Construction); elastic constants AISC 360; physical constants from the bauforumstahl structural-steel EPD, which names A992 among covered product standards. |
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 Steel?
Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 385 MPa against 270 MPa for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum (43%).
Which is lighter, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Steel?
DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is lighter: 2,670 kg/m³ against 7,850 kg/m³ for Steel.
Which is stiffer, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Steel?
Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 72 GPa for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum, so the same part in Steel deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or 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 | Steel |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 6% heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 1.76x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 2.09x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 2.06x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 2.32x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 2.46x 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 Steel?
DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum conducts heat better: 110 W/m·K against 48 W/m·K for Steel.
Which expands less with temperature?
Steel expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 20 µm/m·K for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum.