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

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

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

Plastic PolycarbonateBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	1,100MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)	65MPasourcetypical, tensile yield
Ultimate tensile strength	1,270MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)	65MPasourcetypical, stress at break
Flexural strength	not sourced	97MPasourcetypical, flexural strength
Elongation at break	8.7%sourcetypical at break, as built (M400)	125%sourcetypical, strain at break
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	2.4GPasourcetypical
Density	4,400kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), M400	1,200kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	250kN·m/kg4.62x higher	54.2kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25MN·m/kg12.5x higher	2MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.342sourcewrought TIMETAL 6-4 (TIMET measurement, mean of 10); composition-level, not DMLS-measured	0.38sourcetypical, polycarbonate family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	41GPa47.1x stiffer in shear	0.87GPa
Bulk modulus	116GPa	3.33GPa
Speed of sound	5,000m/s	1,414m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	6.6W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	0.2W/m·Ksourcetypical, through-plane, 23 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)	65µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 23-55 C, parallel and normal
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	45µm growth7.22x less	325µm growth
Specific heat	580J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	1,172J/kg·Ksourcetypical (guide value), Bayer ASTM datasheet for Makrolon 2405, ASTM D 2766
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	2.59mm²/s18.2x faster	0.142mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	4,825W/m93.4x more resistant	51.7W/m
Melting point	1,630–1,650°Csourcemelting range, wrought TIMETAL 6-4 (composition-level)	not sourced
Glass transition	not sourced	144°Csourcetypical, DSC 10 C/min
Max service temperature	not sourced	125°CsourceUL 746B RTI, tensile strength, 1.5 mm
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	Covestro Makrolon 2405 general-purpose PC (MVR 19), Covestro technical datasheet version 2026-09-28, 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 Plastic Polycarbonate?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stronger: its yield strength is 1,100 MPa against 65 MPa for Plastic Polycarbonate (16.9x).

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

Plastic Polycarbonate is lighter: 1,200 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 Polycarbonate?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stiffer: Young's modulus 110 GPa against 2.4 GPa for Plastic Polycarbonate, 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 Polycarbonate?

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 Polycarbonate is lighter for a stiff panel or plate.

Part that must be	DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium	Plastic Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	12.5x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.85x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	2% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	4.62x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.8x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	12% 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 Polycarbonate?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium conducts heat better: 6.6 W/m·K against 0.2 W/m·K for Plastic Polycarbonate.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium expands less: 9 µm/m·K against 65 µm/m·K for Plastic Polycarbonate.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density