DMLS 316L Stainless Steel vs. Stainless Steel 316

Compare DMLS 316L Stainless Steel vs. Stainless Steel 316 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	265MPasourcetypical (representative), annealed 1.0 mm sheet
Ultimate tensile strength	640MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	583MPasourcetypical (representative), annealed 1.0 mm sheet
Elongation at break	40%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal	61%sourcetypical (representative), annealed, in 2 in. (51 mm)
Young's modulus (stiffness)	185GPasourcetypical, as built, horizontal (XY); EOSINT M280-400W / M290-400W, 316L_Surface 1.0, 20 µm (2014 sheet)	200GPasourcetypical, in tension
Density	7,900kg/m³sourcepart density (ISO 3369, not labelled min or typical), EOS M 290, 40 µm FlexLine	8,027kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	67.1kN·m/kg2.03x higher	33kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	23.4MN·m/kg	24.9MN·m/kg6% 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	76.9GPa8% stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	154GPa	167GPa
Speed of sound	4,839m/s	4,992m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	16.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), at 100 °C	14.6W/m·Ksource20–100 °C
Thermal expansion	15.7µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228	16.5µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20–100 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	78.6µm growth5% less	82.5µm growth
Specific heat	500J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), 0-100 °C	450J/kg·Ksourceat 20 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	4.1mm²/s1% faster	4.04mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	2,067W/m2.52x more resistant	821W/m
Melting point	not sourced	1,390–1,440°Csourcemelting range
Max service temperature	not sourced	871–899°Csourceoxidation (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	ATI 316 (UNS S31600), annealed 1.0 mm sheet, ATI technical data sheet (2012); 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 316?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 530 MPa against 265 MPa for Stainless Steel 316 (2x).

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

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is lighter: 7,900 kg/m³ against 8,027 kg/m³ for Stainless Steel 316.

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

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

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

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 316 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending).

Part that must be	DMLS 316L Stainless Steel	Stainless Steel 316
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	6% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	2% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	about equal	about equal
Strong rod or tie	lighter	2.03x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.61x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	44% 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 316?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel conducts heat better: 16.2 W/m·K against 14.6 W/m·K for Stainless Steel 316.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel expands less: 15.7 µm/m·K against 16.5 µm/m·K for Stainless Steel 316.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density