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

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

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

Plastic PMMABulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	1,100MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	1,270MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)	80MPasourcetypical, 23 °C
Compressive strength	not sourced	110MPasourcecompressive yield stress, typical
Flexural strength	not sourced	115MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	8.7%sourcetypical at break, as built (M400)	5.5%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	3.3GPasourcetypical, short-term
Density	4,400kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), M400	1,190kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	250kN·m/kg3.72x higher	67.2kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25MN·m/kg9.02x higher	2.77MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.342sourcewrought TIMETAL 6-4 (TIMET measurement, mean of 10); composition-level, not DMLS-measured	0.37sourcetypical
Shear modulus	41GPa34x stiffer in shear	1.2GPa
Bulk modulus	116GPa	4.23GPa
Speed of sound	5,000m/s	1,665m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	6.6W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	0.19W/m·Ksourcetypical
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)	70µm/m·Ksource0-50 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	45µm growth7.78x less	350µm growth
Specific heat	580J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	1,470J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	2.59mm²/s23.8x faster	0.109mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	4,825W/m116x more resistant	41.5W/m
Melting point	1,630–1,650°Csourcemelting range, wrought TIMETAL 6-4 (composition-level)	not sourced
Max service temperature	not sourced	80°Csourcemax. permanent service temperature
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	Röhm PLEXIGLAS GS 0F00 cast acrylic sheet, typical values at 23 °C / 50 % RH (Röhm Technical Information Ref. No. 211-1)

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 PMMA?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stronger: its yield strength is 1,100 MPa against tensile strength 80 MPa for Plastic PMMA (13.8x).

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

Plastic PMMA is lighter: 1,190 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 PMMA?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stiffer: Young's modulus 110 GPa against 3.3 GPa for Plastic PMMA, 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 PMMA?

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; Plastic PMMA is lighter for a stiff panel or plate.

Part that must be	DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium	Plastic PMMA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	9.02x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.56x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	15% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	3.72x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.55x heavier
Strong panel or plate	about equal	about equal

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 PMMA?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium conducts heat better: 6.6 W/m·K against 0.19 W/m·K for Plastic PMMA.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium expands less: 9 µm/m·K against 70 µm/m·K for Plastic PMMA.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density