Nickel Inconel 718 vs. DMLS 316L Stainless Steel

Compare Nickel Inconel 718 vs. DMLS 316L Stainless Steel strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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DMLS 316L Stainless Steel3D printed metal (DMLS)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	1,207MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. hot-rolled bar, 0.2% offset	530MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal
Ultimate tensile strength	1,389MPasourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar	640MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal
Elongation at break	20%sourcetypical, 1.0 in. bar	40%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal
Young's modulus (stiffness)	200GPasourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged	185GPasourcetypical, as built, horizontal (XY); EOSINT M280-400W / M290-400W, 316L_Surface 1.0, 20 µm (2014 sheet)
Density	8,221kg/m³sourcenominal, annealed and aged	7,900kg/m³sourcepart density (ISO 3369, not labelled min or typical), EOS M 290, 40 µm FlexLine
Strength to weight	147kN·m/kg2.19x higher	67.1kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	24.3MN·m/kg4% higher	23.4MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.294sourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged	0.3sourcebase material: austenitic stainless steels incl. 1.4404 (316L), design value
Shear modulus	77.3GPa9% stiffer in shear	71.2GPa
Bulk modulus	162GPa	154GPa
Speed of sound	4,932m/s	4,839m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	11.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C, annealed + aged (calculated from resistivity per footnote a)	16.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), at 100 °C
Thermal expansion	13.2µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 21-93 °C, annealed + aged	15.7µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	66µm growth19% less	78.6µm growth
Specific heat	435J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 21 °C	500J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), 0-100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	3.19mm²/s	4.1mm²/s29% faster
Thermal shock resistance	3,680W/m1.78x more resistant	2,067W/m
Melting point	1,260–1,336°Csourcemelting range	not sourced
Max service temperature	704°Csourceupper use temperature stated by producer	not sourced
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	EOS StainlessSteel 316L (powder 9011-0032), EOS M 290, ParameterSet 316L 20µm Surface M290/400W, as manufactured, horizontal; ISO 6892-1

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 316L Stainless Steel is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Nickel Inconel 718 stronger than DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stronger: its yield strength is 1,207 MPa against 530 MPa for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel (2.28x).

Which is lighter, Nickel Inconel 718 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is lighter: 7,900 kg/m³ against 8,221 kg/m³ for Nickel Inconel 718.

Which is stiffer, Nickel Inconel 718 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

Nickel Inconel 718 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 185 GPa for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel, 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 DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

For the same stiffness or strength: Nickel Inconel 718 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is lighter for a stiff panel or plate.

Part that must be	Nickel Inconel 718	DMLS 316L Stainless Steel
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	4% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	about equal	about equal
Stiff panel or plate	1% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	2.19x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.66x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	45% 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, Nickel Inconel 718 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel conducts heat better: 16.2 W/m·K against 11.4 W/m·K for Nickel Inconel 718.

Which expands less with temperature?

Nickel Inconel 718 expands less: 13.2 µm/m·K against 15.7 µm/m·K for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density