DMLS 316L Stainless Steel vs. Plastic Nylon

Compare DMLS 316L Stainless Steel vs. Plastic Nylon 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	63.1MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	640MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	63.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength	not sourced	82.9MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	40%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal	not sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)	185GPasourcetypical, as built, horizontal (XY); EOSINT M280-400W / M290-400W, 316L_Surface 1.0, 20 µm (2014 sheet)	2.33GPasourcetypical
Density	7,900kg/m³sourcepart density (ISO 3369, not labelled min or typical), EOS M 290, 40 µm FlexLine	1,140kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	67.1kN·m/kg21% higher	55.4kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	23.4MN·m/kg11.5x higher	2.04MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.3sourcebase material: austenitic stainless steels incl. 1.4404 (316L), design value	0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	71.2GPa85.5x stiffer in shear	0.833GPa
Bulk modulus	154GPa	3.89GPa
Speed of sound	4,839m/s	1,430m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	16.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), at 100 °C	0.33W/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both)
Thermal expansion	15.7µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228	98–102µm/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K, 98) and PA6 (B3S, 102), 23-55 C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	78.6µm growth6.36x less	500µm growth
Specific heat	500J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), 0-100 °C	1,700J/kg·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	4.1mm²/s24.1x faster	0.17mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	2,067W/m38.6x more resistant	53.6W/m
Melting point	not sourced	188°Csourcetypical
Glass transition	not sourced	55.1°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	not sourced	89.2°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 Nylon, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat), conditioned >=24 h at room temperature; 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 v2.00, 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 Plastic Nylon are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is DMLS 316L Stainless Steel stronger than Plastic Nylon?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 530 MPa against 63.1 MPa for Plastic Nylon (8.4x).

Which is lighter, DMLS 316L Stainless Steel or Plastic Nylon?

Plastic Nylon is lighter: 1,140 kg/m³ against 7,900 kg/m³ for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel.

Which is stiffer, DMLS 316L Stainless Steel or Plastic Nylon?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 185 GPa against 2.33 GPa for Plastic Nylon, 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 Plastic Nylon?

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; Plastic Nylon is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	DMLS 316L Stainless Steel	Plastic Nylon
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	11.5x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	29% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	1.61x heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	21% heavier
Strong beam	1.68x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	2.39x 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 Plastic Nylon?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel conducts heat better: 16.2 W/m·K against 0.33 W/m·K for Plastic Nylon.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel expands less: 15.7 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density