DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. Plastic PPS GF40

Compare DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum vs. Plastic PPS GF40 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum3D printed metal (DMLS)

Plastic PPS GF40Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	270MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	450MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal	195MPasourcetensile strength, 5 mm/min
Flexural strength	not sourced	285MPasourceflexural strength at break
Elongation at break	10.2%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal	1.9%sourcestrain at break, 5 mm/min
Young's modulus (stiffness)	72GPasourcesame material and process, different machine maker: Renishaw RenAM 500, 30 µm, as built, horizontal (XY)	14.7GPasourcetypical, 1 mm/min
Density	2,670kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), EOS M 290, AlSi10Mg_030_FlexM291 (30 µm)	1,650kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	101kN·m/kg	118kN·m/kg17% higher
Stiffness to weight	27MN·m/kg3.03x higher	8.91MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (Al-9Si-0.6Mg, closest MIL-HDBK-5J alloy to AlSi10Mg / EN AC-43000)	0.35sourceglass-reinforced Fortron PPS (class value, not grade-specific)
Shear modulus	27.1GPa4.97x stiffer in shear	5.44GPa
Bulk modulus	70.6GPa	16.3GPa
Speed of sound	5,193m/s	2,985m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	110W/m·Ksourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal (ISO 22007-2)	0.2W/m·Ksource40% glass-reinforced Fortron, 25 °C (not grade-specific)
Thermal expansion	20µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228	12µm/m·Ksourceparallel (flow), mean -50 to 90 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	100µm growth	60µm growth1.67x less
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourcebase material: cast Al-Si-Mg alloy 359.0 (MIL-HDBK-5J), at 100 °C	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	42.8mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	13,819W/m96.2x more resistant	144W/m
Melting point	not sourced	280°CsourceDSC, 10 °C/min
Glass transition	not sourced	90°CsourceDSC, 10 °C/min
Max service temperature	not sourced	270°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa
Values for	EOS Aluminium AlSi10Mg (powder 9011-0024), EOS M 290 \| 30 µm process (AlSi10Mg_FlexM291 2.01), as manufactured, horizontal; machined (turned) specimens, ISO 6892-1 B10	Celanese Fortron 1140L4 (PPS, 40% glass fibre), injection moulding; FORTRON PPS Short-Term Properties Guide (PPS-012, 2016); thermal conductivity and Poisson for 40% glass-reinforced Fortron from the Fortron PPS Design Manual (PPS-050, 2013).

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 AlSi10Mg Aluminum is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum stronger than Plastic PPS GF40?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is stronger: its yield strength is 270 MPa against tensile strength 195 MPa for Plastic PPS GF40 (38%).

Which is lighter, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Plastic PPS GF40?

Plastic PPS GF40 is lighter: 1,650 kg/m³ against 2,670 kg/m³ for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum.

Which is stiffer, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Plastic PPS GF40?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is stiffer: Young's modulus 72 GPa against 14.7 GPa for Plastic PPS GF40, so the same part in DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Plastic PPS GF40?

For the same stiffness or strength: DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Plastic PPS GF40 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum	Plastic PPS GF40
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	3.03x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	37% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	5% heavier
Strong rod or tie	17% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	30% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	38% 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 AlSi10Mg Aluminum or Plastic PPS GF40?

DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum conducts heat better: 110 W/m·K against 0.2 W/m·K for Plastic PPS GF40.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic PPS GF40 expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 20 µm/m·K for DMLS AlSi10Mg Aluminum.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density