DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium vs. Steel AISI 4340

Compare DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium vs. Steel AISI 4340 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)	1,035MPasourcetypical, transverse
Ultimate tensile strength	1,270MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)	1,140MPasourcetypical, transverse
Elongation at break	8.7%sourcetypical at break, as built (M400)	18%sourcetypical, transverse
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	200GPasourceMIL-HDBK-5J design value (AISI 4340, quenched and tempered)
Density	4,400kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), M400	7,840kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	250kN·m/kg1.89x higher	132kN·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	0.32sourceMIL-HDBK-5J design value (AISI 4340, quenched and tempered)
Shear modulus	41GPa	75.7GPa1.85x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	116GPa	185GPa
Speed of sound	5,000m/s	5,049m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	6.6W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	37.5W/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)	11.3µm/m·Ksourcemean, -18 to 93 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	45µm growth26% less	56.5µm growth
Specific heat	580J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	448J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	2.59mm²/s	10.7mm²/s4.13x faster
Thermal shock resistance	4,825W/m	11,678W/m2.42x 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	Carpenter (Latrobe) Lescalloy 4340 VAC-ARC datasheet; mechanical row for 1100 °F temper; physical properties grade-level

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 AISI 4340?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stronger: its yield strength is 1,100 MPa against 1,035 MPa for Steel AISI 4340 (6%).

Which is lighter, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Steel AISI 4340?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is lighter: 4,400 kg/m³ against 7,840 kg/m³ for Steel AISI 4340.

Which is stiffer, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Steel AISI 4340?

Steel AISI 4340 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 110 GPa for DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium, so the same part in Steel AISI 4340 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Steel AISI 4340?

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 AISI 4340 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).

Part that must be	DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium	Steel AISI 4340
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	1.89x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.86x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	1.84x 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 AISI 4340?

Steel AISI 4340 conducts heat better: 37.5 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 11.3 µm/m·K for Steel AISI 4340.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density