DMLS 316L Stainless Steel vs. Nickel Inconel 718

Compare DMLS 316L Stainless Steel vs. Nickel Inconel 718 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	1,207MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. hot-rolled bar, 0.2% offset
Ultimate tensile strength	640MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	1,389MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar
Elongation at break	40%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal	20%sourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar
Young's modulus (stiffness)	185GPasourcetypical, as built, horizontal (XY); EOSINT M280-400W / M290-400W, 316L_Surface 1.0, 20 µm (2014 sheet)	200GPasourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged
Density	7,900kg/m³sourcepart density (ISO 3369, not labelled min or typical), EOS M 290, 40 µm FlexLine	8,221kg/m³sourcenominal, annealed and aged
Strength to weight	67.1kN·m/kg	147kN·m/kg2.19x higher
Stiffness to weight	23.4MN·m/kg	24.3MN·m/kg4% higher
Poisson's ratio	0.3sourcebase material: austenitic stainless steels incl. 1.4404 (316L), design value	0.294sourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged
Shear modulus	71.2GPa	77.3GPa9% stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	154GPa	162GPa
Speed of sound	4,839m/s	4,932m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	16.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), at 100 °C	11.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged (calculated from resistivity per footnote a)
Thermal expansion	15.7µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228	13.2µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 21-93 °C, annealed + aged
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	78.6µm growth	66µm growth19% less
Specific heat	500J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), 0-100 °C	435J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	4.1mm²/s29% faster	3.19mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	2,067W/m	3,680W/m1.78x more resistant
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 316L (powder 9011-0032), EOS M 290, ParameterSet 316L 20µm Surface M290/400W, as manufactured, horizontal; ISO 6892-1	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 316L Stainless Steel is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is DMLS 316L Stainless Steel stronger than Nickel Inconel 718?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stronger: its yield strength is 1,207 MPa against 530 MPa for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel (2.28x).

Which is lighter, DMLS 316L Stainless Steel or Nickel Inconel 718?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is lighter: 7,900 kg/m³ against 8,221 kg/m³ for Nickel Inconel 718.

Which is stiffer, DMLS 316L Stainless Steel or Nickel Inconel 718?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 185 GPa for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel, so the same part in Nickel Inconel 718 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS 316L Stainless Steel or Nickel Inconel 718?

For the same stiffness or strength: DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is lighter for a stiff panel or plate; Nickel Inconel 718 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	DMLS 316L Stainless Steel	Nickel Inconel 718
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	4% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	about equal	about equal
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	1% heavier
Strong rod or tie	2.19x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	1.66x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	45% 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 Nickel Inconel 718?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel conducts heat better: 16.2 W/m·K against 11.4 W/m·K for Nickel Inconel 718.

Which expands less with temperature?

Nickel Inconel 718 expands less: 13.2 µm/m·K against 15.7 µm/m·K for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density