Ceramic Alumina 96% vs. DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum

Compare Ceramic Alumina 96% vs. DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Ceramic Alumina 96%Sintered ceramic (pressed and fired)

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum3D printed metal (DMLS)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	270MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal
Ultimate tensile strength	221MPasourcetypical tensile strength, 25 °C (ACMA Test #4)	450MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal
Compressive strength	2,068MPasourcetypical, 20 °C (ASTM-C773)	not sourced
Flexural strength	358MPasourceflexural strength (MOR), 20 °C (ASTM-F417)	not sourced
Elongation at break	not sourced	10.2%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal
Young's modulus (stiffness)	303GPasourcetypical, 20 °C (ASTM-C848)	72GPasourcesame material and process, different machine maker: Renishaw RenAM 500, 30 µm, as built, horizontal (XY)
Density	3,720kg/m³sourcetypical (ASTM-C20)	2,670kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), EOS M 290, AlSi10Mg_030_FlexM291 (30 µm)
Strength to weight	59.4kN·m/kg	101kN·m/kg1.7x higher
Stiffness to weight	81.5MN·m/kg3.02x higher	27MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.21sourcetypical, 20 °C (ASTM-C848)	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	125GPa4.63x stiffer in shear	27.1GPa
Bulk modulus	174GPa	70.6GPa
Speed of sound	9,025m/s	5,193m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	24.7W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C (ASTM-C408)	110W/m·Ksourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal (ISO 22007-2)
Thermal expansion	8.2µm/m·Ksourcemean, 25-1000 °C (ASTM-C372)	20µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	41µm growth2.44x less	100µm growth
Specific heat	880J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 100 °C (ASTM-E1269)	963J/kg·Ksourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (MIL-HDBK-5J), at 100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	7.55mm²/s	42.8mm²/s5.67x faster
Thermal shock resistance	1,736W/m	13,819W/m7.96x more resistant
Values for	CoorsTek AD-96, nominal 96% Al2O3 sintered alumina, typical values; CoorsTek "Ceramic Seal Material Properties" (© 2018, 01899 F). AD-96 is the general 96% grade, not the ADS-96R substrate grade.	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 Ceramic Alumina 96% stronger than DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is stronger: its yield strength is 270 MPa against tensile strength 221 MPa for Ceramic Alumina 96% (22%).

Which is lighter, Ceramic Alumina 96% or DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is lighter: 2,670 kg/m³ against 3,720 kg/m³ for Ceramic Alumina 96%.

Which is stiffer, Ceramic Alumina 96% or DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?

Ceramic Alumina 96% is stiffer: Young's modulus 303 GPa against 72 GPa for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum, so the same part in Ceramic Alumina 96% deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Ceramic Alumina 96% or DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?

For the same stiffness or strength: Ceramic Alumina 96% is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Ceramic Alumina 96%	DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	3.02x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	47% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	16% heavier
Strong rod or tie	1.7x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	1.59x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	1.54x heavier	lighter

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, Ceramic Alumina 96% or DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum conducts heat better: 110 W/m·K against 24.7 W/m·K for Ceramic Alumina 96%.

Which expands less with temperature?

Ceramic Alumina 96% expands less: 8.2 µm/m·K against 20 µm/m·K for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density