DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium vs. Nickel Inconel 718

Compare DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium vs. Nickel Inconel 718 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium3D printed metal (DMLS)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	1,100MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)	1,207MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. hot-rolled bar, 0.2% offset
Ultimate tensile strength	1,270MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)	1,389MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar
Elongation at break	8.7%sourcetypical at break, as built (M400)	20%sourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar
Young's modulus (stiffness)	110GPasourcesame maker and process, sibling grade: EOS Titanium Ti64 (Grade 5) on EOS M 290, as built, XY and Z, typical	200GPasourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged
Density	4,400kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), M400	8,221kg/m³sourcenominal, annealed and aged
Strength to weight	250kN·m/kg1.7x higher	147kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25MN·m/kg3% higher	24.3MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.342sourcewrought TIMETAL 6-4 (TIMET measurement, mean of 10); composition-level, not DMLS-measured	0.294sourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged
Shear modulus	41GPa	77.3GPa1.89x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	116GPa	162GPa
Speed of sound	5,000m/s	4,932m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	6.6W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	11.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged (calculated from resistivity per footnote a)
Thermal expansion	9µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228; EOS Ti64 Grade 23 (=ELI) on EOS M 290 40 µm; condition not stated (sheet's mechanical data are heat treated)	13.2µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 21-93 °C, annealed + aged
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	45µm growth47% less	66µm growth
Specific heat	580J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	435J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	2.59mm²/s	3.19mm²/s23% faster
Thermal shock resistance	4,825W/m31% more resistant	3,680W/m
Melting point	1,630–1,650°Csourcemelting range, wrought TIMETAL 6-4 (composition-level)	1,260–1,336°Csourcemelting range
Max service temperature	not sourced	704°Csourceupper use temperature stated by producer
Values for	EOS Titanium Ti64ELI (powder 9011-0040; ASTM F136/F3001, i.e. Grade 23) on EOS M400 SF, parameter set Ti64ELI_030_FlexM400_100, 30 µm, as built; ISO 6892-1 A14	INCONEL alloy 718, standard grade, 1750 °F/1 hr anneal + 1325 °F/8 hr F.C. to 1150 °F aged; Special Metals bulletin SMC-045 typical values

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 Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium stronger than Nickel Inconel 718?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stronger: its yield strength is 1,207 MPa against 1,100 MPa for DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium (10%).

Which is lighter, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Nickel Inconel 718?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is lighter: 4,400 kg/m³ against 8,221 kg/m³ for Nickel Inconel 718.

Which is stiffer, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Nickel Inconel 718?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 110 GPa for DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium, so the same part in Nickel Inconel 718 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Nickel Inconel 718?

For the same stiffness or strength: DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium	Nickel Inconel 718
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	3% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	39% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	1.53x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	1.7x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.76x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	1.78x 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 Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Nickel Inconel 718?

Nickel Inconel 718 conducts heat better: 11.4 W/m·K against 6.6 W/m·K for DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium expands less: 9 µm/m·K against 13.2 µm/m·K for Nickel Inconel 718.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density