Materials / Compare
Aluminum vs. DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum
Compare Aluminum vs. DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum 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 | 276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen | 270MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical | 450MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | 10.2%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical | 72GPasourcesame material and process, different machine maker: Renishaw RenAM 500, 30 µm, as built, horizontal (XY) |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal | 2,670kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), EOS M 290, AlSi10Mg_030_FlexM291 (30 µm) |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg1% higher | 101kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg | 27MN·m/kg7% higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.33sourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (Al-9Si-0.6Mg, closest MIL-HDBK-5J alloy to AlSi10Mg / EN AC-43000) |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa | 27.1GPa5% stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | 70.6GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 5,193m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 110W/m·Ksourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal (ISO 22007-2) |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 20µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228 |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 118µm growth | 100µm growth18% less |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 963J/kg·Ksourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (MIL-HDBK-5J), at 100 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s1.61x faster | 42.8mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m39% more resistant | 13,819W/m |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | not sourced |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties (sheet, coil & plate datasheet); Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | 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 |
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 Aluminum stronger than DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?
Aluminum is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against 270 MPa for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum (2%).
Which is lighter, Aluminum or DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?
DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is lighter: 2,670 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum or DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?
DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is stiffer: Young's modulus 72 GPa against 68.3 GPa for Aluminum, so the same part in DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum or DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum is lighter for a strong rod or tie; DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum | DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 7% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 4% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 3% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 1% heavier |
| Strong beam | about equal | about equal |
| Strong panel or plate | about equal | about equal |
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 or DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?
Aluminum conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 110 W/m·K for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum.
Which expands less with temperature?
DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum expands less: 20 µm/m·K against 23.6 µm/m·K for Aluminum.