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

Compare DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium vs. Plastic PLA 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)	52.5MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	1,270MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)	52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength	not sourced	96.8MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	8.7%sourcetypical at break, as built (M400)	7.8%sourcetypical
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	3.25GPasourcetypical
Density	4,400kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), M400	1,240kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	250kN·m/kg5.9x higher	42.3kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25MN·m/kg9.54x higher	2.62MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.342sourcewrought TIMETAL 6-4 (TIMET measurement, mean of 10); composition-level, not DMLS-measured	not sourced
Shear modulus	41GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	116GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	5,000m/s	1,619m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	6.6W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C
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)	not sourced
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	45µm growth	not sourced
Specific heat	580J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	2.59mm²/s29.6x faster	0.0874mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	4,825W/m	not sourced
Melting point	1,630–1,650°Csourcemelting range, wrought TIMETAL 6-4 (composition-level)	152°Csourcetypical
Glass transition	not sourced	59.1°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	not sourced	58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
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	Ultimaker PLA, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat) orientation; Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS dated April 20, 2022.

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 and Plastic PLA are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium stronger than Plastic PLA?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stronger: its yield strength is 1,100 MPa against 52.5 MPa for Plastic PLA (21x).

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

Plastic PLA is lighter: 1,240 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 PLA?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stiffer: Young's modulus 110 GPa against 3.25 GPa for Plastic PLA, 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 PLA?

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

Part that must be	DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium	Plastic PLA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	9.54x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.64x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	10% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	5.9x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	2.14x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	29% 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 PLA?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium conducts heat better: 6.6 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density