DMLS 316L Stainless Steel vs. Plastic Nylon PA6

Compare DMLS 316L Stainless Steel vs. Plastic Nylon PA6 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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DMLS 316L Stainless Steel3D printed metal (DMLS)

Plastic Nylon PA6Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	530MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	90MPasourcetypical, dry
Ultimate tensile strength	640MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	not sourced
Elongation at break	40%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal	10%sourcenominal strain at break, dry
Young's modulus (stiffness)	185GPasourcetypical, as built, horizontal (XY); EOSINT M280-400W / M290-400W, 316L_Surface 1.0, 20 µm (2014 sheet)	3.5GPasourcetypical, dry
Density	7,900kg/m³sourcepart density (ISO 3369, not labelled min or typical), EOS M 290, 40 µm FlexLine	1,130kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	67.1kN·m/kg	79.6kN·m/kg19% higher
Stiffness to weight	23.4MN·m/kg7.56x higher	3.1MN·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	71.2GPa56.9x stiffer in shear	1.25GPa
Bulk modulus	154GPa	5.83GPa
Speed of sound	4,839m/s	1,760m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	16.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), at 100 °C	0.33W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	15.7µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228	102µm/m·Ksourcelongitudinal, 23-55 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	78.6µm growth6.49x less	510µm growth
Specific heat	500J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), 0-100 °C	1,700J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	4.1mm²/s23.9x faster	0.172mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	2,067W/m41.4x more resistant	49.9W/m
Melting point	not sourced	220°CsourceDSC
Max service temperature	not sourced	87°CsourceIEC 60216 temperature index, 20000 h
Values for	EOS StainlessSteel 316L (powder 9011-0032), EOS M 290, ParameterSet 316L 20µm Surface M290/400W, as manufactured, horizontal; ISO 6892-1	BASF Ultramid B3S (PA6, unreinforced injection-moulding grade), Product Information 02/2026, dry values (ISO methods)

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 Plastic Nylon PA6?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 530 MPa against 90 MPa for Plastic Nylon PA6 (5.89x).

Which is lighter, DMLS 316L Stainless Steel or Plastic Nylon PA6?

Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter: 1,130 kg/m³ against 7,900 kg/m³ for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel.

Which is stiffer, DMLS 316L Stainless Steel or Plastic Nylon PA6?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 185 GPa against 3.5 GPa for Plastic Nylon PA6, 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 PA6?

For the same stiffness or strength: DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending); Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	DMLS 316L Stainless Steel	Plastic Nylon PA6
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	7.56x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	4% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	1.86x heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	19% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	2.14x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	2.88x 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 PA6?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel conducts heat better: 16.2 W/m·K against 0.33 W/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA6.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel expands less: 15.7 µm/m·K against 102 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA6.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density