DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium vs. Plastic HDPE

Compare DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium vs. Plastic HDPE strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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

Plastic HDPEBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	1,100MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)	24MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C, 50 mm/min ISO 527
Ultimate tensile strength	1,270MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)	not sourced
Elongation at break	8.7%sourcetypical at break, as built (M400)	not sourced
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	0.9GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus 23 °C ISO 527
Density	4,400kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), M400	950kg/m³sourcetypical, ISO 1183
Strength to weight	250kN·m/kg9.9x higher	25.3kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25MN·m/kg26.4x higher	0.947MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.342sourcewrought TIMETAL 6-4 (TIMET measurement, mean of 10); composition-level, not DMLS-measured	0.4–0.45sourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
Shear modulus	41GPa130x stiffer in shear	0.316GPa
Bulk modulus	116GPa	2GPa
Speed of sound	5,000m/s	973m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	6.6W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	0.4–0.49W/m·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
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)	120µm/m·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	45µm growth13.3x less	600µm growth
Specific heat	580J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	2,250J/kg·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	2.59mm²/s12.4x faster	0.208mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	4,825W/m84.9x more resistant	56.9W/m
Melting point	1,630–1,650°Csourcemelting range, wrought TIMETAL 6-4 (composition-level)	not sourced
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	LyondellBasell Hostalen 23050 B high density polyethylene, typical ISO 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 Plastic HDPE?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stronger: its yield strength is 1,100 MPa against 24 MPa for Plastic HDPE (45.8x).

Which is lighter, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Plastic HDPE?

Plastic HDPE is lighter: 950 kg/m³ against 4,400 kg/m³ for DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium.

Which is stiffer, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Plastic HDPE?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stiffer: Young's modulus 110 GPa against 0.9 GPa for Plastic HDPE, so the same part in DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Plastic HDPE?

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	Plastic HDPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	26.4x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.39x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	7% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	9.9x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	2.77x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	46% 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 Plastic HDPE?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium conducts heat better: 6.6 W/m·K against 0.445 W/m·K for Plastic HDPE.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium expands less: 9 µm/m·K against 120 µm/m·K for Plastic HDPE.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density