DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel vs. Nickel Inconel 718

Compare DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel vs. Nickel Inconel 718 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)	1,207MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. hot-rolled bar, 0.2% offset
Ultimate tensile strength	886MPasourcemean, as built, horizontal (N=72)	1,389MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar
Elongation at break	19.9%sourcemean at break, as built, horizontal	20%sourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar
Young's modulus (stiffness)	197GPasourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition H 900 (Cleveland-Cliffs)	200GPasourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged
Density	7,790kg/m³sourcemean part density (ISO 3369)	8,221kg/m³sourcenominal, annealed and aged
Strength to weight	110kN·m/kg	147kN·m/kg33% higher
Stiffness to weight	25.3MN·m/kg4% higher	24.3MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.272sourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, all conditions (Cleveland-Cliffs)	0.294sourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged
Shear modulus	77.4GPa	77.3GPa
Bulk modulus	144GPa	162GPa
Speed of sound	5,029m/s	4,932m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	17.9W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition H 900, at 149 °C (Cleveland-Cliffs)	11.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged (calculated from resistivity per footnote a)
Thermal expansion	10.4µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228, AFTER atmospheric heat treatment (as-built value not published)	13.2µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 21-93 °C, annealed + aged
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	52µm growth27% less	66µm growth
Specific heat	460J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition A, 0-100 °C (Cleveland-Cliffs)	435J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	5mm²/s1.57x faster	3.19mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	5,474W/m49% more resistant	3,680W/m
Melting point	not sourced	1,260–1,336°Csourcemelting range
Max service temperature	not sourced	704°Csourceupper use temperature stated by producer
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	INCONEL alloy 718, standard grade, 1750 °F/1 hr anneal + 1325 °F/8 hr F.C. to 1150 °F aged; Special Metals bulletin SMC-045 typical values

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 Nickel Inconel 718?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stronger: its yield strength is 1,207 MPa against 861 MPa for DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel (40%).

Which is lighter, DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel or Nickel Inconel 718?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is lighter: 7,790 kg/m³ against 8,221 kg/m³ for Nickel Inconel 718.

Which is stiffer, DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel or Nickel Inconel 718?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 197 GPa for DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel, so the same part in Nickel Inconel 718 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel or Nickel Inconel 718?

For the same stiffness or strength: DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Nickel Inconel 718 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel	Nickel Inconel 718
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	4% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	5% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	5% heavier
Strong rod or tie	33% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	19% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	12% 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 Nickel Inconel 718?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel conducts heat better: 17.9 W/m·K against 11.4 W/m·K for Nickel Inconel 718.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel expands less: 10.4 µm/m·K against 13.2 µm/m·K for Nickel Inconel 718.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density