DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24

Compare DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel vs. Magnesium AZ31B-H24 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel3D printed metal (DMLS)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	861MPasourcemean, as built, horizontal (N=72)	220MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, 0.2 % proof stress
Ultimate tensile strength	886MPasourcemean, as built, horizontal (N=72)	290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm
Elongation at break	19.9%sourcemean at break, as built, horizontal	13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A
Young's modulus (stiffness)	197GPasourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition H 900 (Cleveland-Cliffs)	44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant)
Density	7,790kg/m³sourcemean part density (ISO 3369)	1,769kg/m³sourcenominal
Strength to weight	110kN·m/kg	124kN·m/kg13% higher
Stiffness to weight	25.3MN·m/kg	25.3MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.272sourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, all conditions (Cleveland-Cliffs)	0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)
Shear modulus	77.4GPa4.67x stiffer in shear	16.6GPa
Bulk modulus	144GPa	49.8GPa
Speed of sound	5,029m/s	5,032m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	17.9W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition H 900, at 149 °C (Cleveland-Cliffs)	76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated)
Thermal expansion	10.4µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228, AFTER atmospheric heat treatment (as-built value not published)	26.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical (temperature range not stated)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	52µm growth2.58x less	134µm growth
Specific heat	460J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition A, 0-100 °C (Cleveland-Cliffs)	1,040J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	5mm²/s	41.8mm²/s8.37x faster
Thermal shock resistance	5,474W/m	9,159W/m1.67x more resistant
Max service temperature	not sourced	149°Csourcestated application limit
Values for	EOS StainlessSteel 17-4PH IndustryLine (powder 9011-0041), EOS M 290, 40 µm, default job 17-4PH_040_StainlessM291_100, as built, horizontal; ISO 6892 & ASTM E8M	AZ31B-H24 sheet 0.016-0.062 in., MIL-HDBK-5J Table 4.2.1.0(b) (AMS 4377); strengths are S-basis MINIMUMS

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 17-4PH Stainless Steel is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel stronger than Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 861 MPa against 220 MPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24 (3.91x).

Which is lighter, DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter: 1,769 kg/m³ against 7,790 kg/m³ for DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel.

Which is stiffer, DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 197 GPa against 44.8 GPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24, so the same part in DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

For the same stiffness or strength: Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel	Magnesium AZ31B-H24
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	about equal	about equal
Stiff beam (bending)	2.1x heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	2.69x heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	13% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	1.77x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	2.23x 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, DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel or Magnesium AZ31B-H24?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 conducts heat better: 76.9 W/m·K against 17.9 W/m·K for DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel expands less: 10.4 µm/m·K against 26.8 µm/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density