DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium vs. Steel A992

Compare DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium vs. Steel A992 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)	385MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey), as reported by AISC
Ultimate tensile strength	1,270MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)	505MPasourcetypical: mean of 20,295 A992 flange mill-test coupons (1998 SSPC survey)
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	200GPasourcedesign value (AISC 360-16)
Density	4,400kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), M400	7,850kg/m³sourcenominal (constructional data)
Strength to weight	250kN·m/kg5.1x higher	49kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25MN·m/kg	25.5MN·m/kg2% higher
Poisson's ratio	0.342sourcewrought TIMETAL 6-4 (TIMET measurement, mean of 10); composition-level, not DMLS-measured	0.3sourcedesign value (AISC 360-16 Commentary)
Shear modulus	41GPa	76.9GPa1.88x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	116GPa	167GPa
Speed of sound	5,000m/s	5,048m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	6.6W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	48W/m·Ksourcenominal at 20 °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)	12µm/m·Ksourcenominal (constructional data, no temperature range stated)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	45µm growth33% less	60µm growth
Specific heat	580J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	460–480J/kg·Ksourcebase material: EN S275JR unalloyed structural steel (the EN counterpart of A36), typical, 50/100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	2.59mm²/s	13mm²/s5.03x faster
Thermal shock resistance	4,825W/m	5,390W/m12% more resistant
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	ASTM A992 W-shapes; Fy/Fu specified minimums from AISC publications (AISC 360-16 Commentary; Modern Steel Construction); elastic constants AISC 360; physical constants from the bauforumstahl structural-steel EPD, which names A992 among covered product standards.

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 Steel A992?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stronger: its yield strength is 1,100 MPa against 385 MPa for Steel A992 (2.86x).

Which is lighter, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Steel A992?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is lighter: 4,400 kg/m³ against 7,850 kg/m³ for Steel A992.

Which is stiffer, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Steel A992?

Steel A992 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 110 GPa for DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium, so the same part in Steel A992 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Steel A992?

For the same stiffness or strength: DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Steel A992 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).

Part that must be	DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium	Steel A992
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	2% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	32% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	46% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	5.1x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	3.59x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	3.02x 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 Steel A992?

Steel A992 conducts heat better: 48 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 12 µm/m·K for Steel A992.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density