DMLS 316L Stainless Steel vs. FDM Polycarbonate

Compare DMLS 316L Stainless Steel vs. FDM Polycarbonate strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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DMLS 316L Stainless Steel3D printed metal (DMLS)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	530MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	53.3MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	640MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength	not sourced	89.4MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	40%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal	9.2%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	185GPasourcetypical, as built, horizontal (XY); EOSINT M280-400W / M290-400W, 316L_Surface 1.0, 20 µm (2014 sheet)	2.39GPasourcetypical
Density	7,900kg/m³sourcepart density (ISO 3369, not labelled min or typical), EOS M 290, 40 µm FlexLine	1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange
Strength to weight	67.1kN·m/kg50% higher	44.8kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	23.4MN·m/kg11.6x higher	2.01MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.3sourcebase material: austenitic stainless steels incl. 1.4404 (316L), design value	0.38sourcebase material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	71.2GPa82x stiffer in shear	0.867GPa
Bulk modulus	154GPa	3.33GPa
Speed of sound	4,839m/s	1,418m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	16.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), at 100 °C	0.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °C
Thermal expansion	15.7µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228	65µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	78.6µm growth4.13x less	325µm growth
Specific heat	500J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), 0-100 °C	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	4.1mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	2,067W/m48.7x more resistant	42.5W/m
Glass transition	not sourced	108°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	not sourced	105°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
Values for	EOS StainlessSteel 316L (powder 9011-0032), EOS M 290, ParameterSet 316L 20µm Surface M290/400W, as manufactured, horizontal; ISO 6892-1	Ultimaker PC, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS (file v5.00), April 20, 2022.

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 and FDM Polycarbonate are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is DMLS 316L Stainless Steel stronger than FDM Polycarbonate?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 530 MPa against 53.3 MPa for FDM Polycarbonate (9.94x).

Which is lighter, DMLS 316L Stainless Steel or FDM Polycarbonate?

FDM Polycarbonate is lighter: 1,190 kg/m³ against 7,900 kg/m³ for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel.

Which is stiffer, DMLS 316L Stainless Steel or FDM Polycarbonate?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 185 GPa against 2.39 GPa for FDM Polycarbonate, so the same part in DMLS 316L Stainless Steel deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS 316L Stainless Steel or FDM Polycarbonate?

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

Part that must be	DMLS 316L Stainless Steel	FDM Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	11.6x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	32% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	1.56x heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	50% heavier
Strong beam	44% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	2.11x 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 316L Stainless Steel or FDM Polycarbonate?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel conducts heat better: 16.2 W/m·K against 0.2 W/m·K for FDM Polycarbonate.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel expands less: 15.7 µm/m·K against 65 µm/m·K for FDM Polycarbonate.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density