Aluminum A380 vs. DMLS 316L Stainless Steel

Compare Aluminum A380 vs. DMLS 316L Stainless Steel strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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DMLS 316L Stainless Steel3D printed metal (DMLS)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	160MPasourcetypical, 25 °C	530MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal
Ultimate tensile strength	320MPasourcetypical, 25 °C	640MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal
Elongation at break	3.5%sourcetypical	40%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal
Young's modulus (stiffness)	71GPasourcetypical, 25 °C	185GPasourcetypical, as built, horizontal (XY); EOSINT M280-400W / M290-400W, 316L_Surface 1.0, 20 µm (2014 sheet)
Density	2,713kg/m³sourcetypical at 68 °F	7,900kg/m³sourcepart density (ISO 3369, not labelled min or typical), EOS M 290, 40 µm FlexLine
Strength to weight	59kN·m/kg	67.1kN·m/kg14% higher
Stiffness to weight	26.2MN·m/kg12% higher	23.4MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.3sourcebase material: austenitic stainless steels incl. 1.4404 (316L), design value
Shear modulus	not sourced	71.2GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	154GPa
Speed of sound	5,116m/s	4,839m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	96.2W/m·Ksourcetypical at 68 °F	16.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), at 100 °C
Thermal expansion	21.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 68-572 °F (20-300 °C)	15.7µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	109µm growth	78.6µm growth39% less
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourcetypical at 68 °F	500J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), 0-100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	36.8mm²/s8.98x faster	4.1mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	2,067W/m
Values for	A380 aluminium high-pressure die-casting alloy, typical properties; Rheocast Company (aluminium die caster, Germantown WI) A380 alloy data page.	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 316L Stainless Steel is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Aluminum A380 stronger than DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 530 MPa against 160 MPa for Aluminum A380 (3.31x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum A380 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

Aluminum A380 is lighter: 2,713 kg/m³ against 7,900 kg/m³ for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum A380 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 185 GPa against 71 GPa for Aluminum A380, so the same part in DMLS 316L Stainless Steel deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum A380 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum A380 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate; DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is lighter for a strong rod or tie.

Part that must be	Aluminum A380	DMLS 316L Stainless Steel
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	12% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.8x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	2.12x heavier
Strong rod or tie	14% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	lighter	31% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	1.6x 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, Aluminum A380 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

Aluminum A380 conducts heat better: 96.2 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 21.8 µm/m·K for Aluminum A380.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density