DMLS 316L Stainless Steel vs. Stainless Steel 304

Compare DMLS 316L Stainless Steel vs. Stainless Steel 304 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	241MPasourcetypical, annealed, 70 °F (21 °C)
Ultimate tensile strength	640MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	586MPasourcetypical, annealed, 70 °F (21 °C)
Elongation at break	40%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal	55%sourcetypical, annealed, in 2 in. (50.8 mm)
Young's modulus (stiffness)	185GPasourcetypical, as built, horizontal (XY); EOSINT M280-400W / M290-400W, 316L_Surface 1.0, 20 µm (2014 sheet)	193GPasourcetypical, in tension
Density	7,900kg/m³sourcepart density (ISO 3369, not labelled min or typical), EOS M 290, 40 µm FlexLine	8,030kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	67.1kN·m/kg2.24x higher	30kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	23.4MN·m/kg	24MN·m/kg3% higher
Poisson's ratio	0.3sourcebase material: austenitic stainless steels incl. 1.4404 (316L), design value	0.3sourcedesign value (structural stainless steels)
Shear modulus	71.2GPa	74.2GPa4% stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	154GPa	161GPa
Speed of sound	4,839m/s	4,903m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	16.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), at 100 °C	16.2W/m·Ksourceat 100 °C
Thermal expansion	15.7µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228	16.9µm/m·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	78.6µm growth8% less	84.5µm growth
Specific heat	500J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), 0-100 °C	500J/kg·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	4.1mm²/s2% faster	4.03mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	2,067W/m2.47x more resistant	838W/m
Melting point	not sourced	1,399–1,454°Csourcemelting range
Max service temperature	not sourced	899°Csourcecontinuous, oxidation (scaling) limit in air
Values for	EOS StainlessSteel 316L (powder 9011-0032), EOS M 290, ParameterSet 316L 20µm Surface M290/400W, as manufactured, horizontal; ISO 6892-1	Type 304, annealed flat-rolled (Cleveland-Cliffs 304/304L Product Data Bulletin, May 2021); Poisson's ratio from the Nickel Institute/SCI structural stainless design manual

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 Stainless Steel 304?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 530 MPa against 241 MPa for Stainless Steel 304 (2.2x).

Which is lighter, DMLS 316L Stainless Steel or Stainless Steel 304?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is lighter: 7,900 kg/m³ against 8,030 kg/m³ for Stainless Steel 304.

Which is stiffer, DMLS 316L Stainless Steel or Stainless Steel 304?

Stainless Steel 304 is stiffer: Young's modulus 193 GPa against 185 GPa for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel, so the same part in Stainless Steel 304 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS 316L Stainless Steel or Stainless Steel 304?

For the same stiffness or strength: DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Stainless Steel 304 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).

Part that must be	DMLS 316L Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel 304
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	3% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	about equal	about equal
Stiff panel or plate	about equal	about equal
Strong rod or tie	lighter	2.24x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.72x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	1.51x heavier

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 Stainless Steel 304?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel conducts heat better: 16.2 W/m·K against 16.2 W/m·K for Stainless Steel 304.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel expands less: 15.7 µm/m·K against 16.9 µm/m·K for Stainless Steel 304.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density