Nickel Inconel 718 vs. FDM Polycarbonate

Compare Nickel Inconel 718 vs. FDM Polycarbonate strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	1,207MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. hot-rolled bar, 0.2% offset	53.3MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	1,389MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar	53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength	not sourced	89.4MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	20%sourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar	9.2%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	200GPasourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged	2.39GPasourcetypical
Density	8,221kg/m³sourcenominal, annealed and aged	1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange
Strength to weight	147kN·m/kg3.28x higher	44.8kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	24.3MN·m/kg12.1x higher	2.01MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.294sourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged	0.38sourcebase material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	77.3GPa89.1x stiffer in shear	0.867GPa
Bulk modulus	162GPa	3.33GPa
Speed of sound	4,932m/s	1,418m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	11.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged (calculated from resistivity per footnote a)	0.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °C
Thermal expansion	13.2µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 21-93 °C, annealed + aged	65µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	66µm growth4.92x less	325µm growth
Specific heat	435J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	3.19mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	3,680W/m86.6x more resistant	42.5W/m
Melting point	1,260–1,336°Csourcemelting range	not sourced
Glass transition	not sourced	108°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	704°Csourceupper use temperature stated by producer	105°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
Values for	INCONEL alloy 718, standard grade, 1750 °F/1 hr anneal + 1325 °F/8 hr F.C. to 1150 °F aged; Special Metals bulletin SMC-045 typical values	Ultimaker PC, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); 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 (file v5.00), 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.

FDM Polycarbonate is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Nickel Inconel 718 stronger than FDM Polycarbonate?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stronger: its yield strength is 1,207 MPa against 53.3 MPa for FDM Polycarbonate (22.6x).

Which is lighter, Nickel Inconel 718 or FDM Polycarbonate?

FDM Polycarbonate is lighter: 1,190 kg/m³ against 8,221 kg/m³ for Nickel Inconel 718.

Which is stiffer, Nickel Inconel 718 or FDM Polycarbonate?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 2.39 GPa for FDM Polycarbonate, so the same part in Nickel Inconel 718 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Nickel Inconel 718 or FDM Polycarbonate?

For the same stiffness or strength: Nickel Inconel 718 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie, strong beam; FDM Polycarbonate is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Nickel Inconel 718	FDM Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	12.1x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	32% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	1.58x heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	3.28x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	16% heavier
Strong panel or plate	45% heavier	lighter

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, Nickel Inconel 718 or FDM Polycarbonate?

Nickel Inconel 718 conducts heat better: 11.4 W/m·K against 0.2 W/m·K for FDM Polycarbonate.

Which expands less with temperature?

Nickel Inconel 718 expands less: 13.2 µm/m·K against 65 µm/m·K for FDM Polycarbonate.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density