Materials / Compare

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 vs. DMLS 316L Stainless Steel

Compare Magnesium AZ31B-H24 vs. DMLS 316L Stainless Steel strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Magnesium AZ31B-H24Wrought
DMLS 316L Stainless Steel3D printed metal (DMLS)
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Mechanical
Yield strength220MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, 0.2 % proof stress530MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal
Ultimate tensile strength290MPasourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm640MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal
Elongation at break13%sourcetypical, H24, 0.5-6 mm, gauge 5.65√A40%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal
Young's modulus (stiffness)44.8GPasourcetypical (handbook physical constant)185GPasourcetypical, as built, horizontal (XY); EOSINT M280-400W / M290-400W, 316L_Surface 1.0, 20 µm (2014 sheet)
Density1,769kg/m³sourcenominal7,900kg/m³sourcepart density (ISO 3369, not labelled min or typical), EOS M 290, 40 µm FlexLine
Strength to weight124kN·m/kg1.85x higher67.1kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight25.3MN·m/kg8% higher23.4MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio0.35sourcetypical (handbook physical constant)0.3sourcebase material: austenitic stainless steels incl. 1.4404 (316L), design value
Shear modulus16.6GPa71.2GPa4.29x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus49.8GPa154GPa
Speed of sound5,032m/s4,839m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity76.9W/m·Ksourcetypical (temper/temperature not stated)16.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), at 100 °C
Thermal expansion26.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical (temperature range not stated)15.7µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing134µm growth78.6µm growth1.7x less
Specific heat1,040J/kg·Ksourcetypical500J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), 0-100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)41.8mm²/s10.2x faster4.1mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance9,159W/m4.43x more resistant2,067W/m
Max service temperature149°Csourcestated application limitnot sourced
Values forAZ31B-H24 sheet 0.016-0.062 in., MIL-HDBK-5J Table 4.2.1.0(b) (AMS 4377); strengths are S-basis MINIMUMSEOS 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 Magnesium AZ31B-H24 stronger than DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 530 MPa against 220 MPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24 (2.41x).

Which is lighter, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter: 1,769 kg/m³ against 7,900 kg/m³ for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel.

Which is stiffer, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 185 GPa against 44.8 GPa for Magnesium AZ31B-H24, so the same part in DMLS 316L Stainless Steel deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

For the same stiffness or strength: Magnesium AZ31B-H24 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must beMagnesium AZ31B-H24DMLS 316L Stainless Steel
Stiff rod or tie (tension)lighter8% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)lighter2.2x heavier
Stiff panel or platelighter2.78x heavier
Strong rod or tielighter1.85x heavier
Strong beamlighter2.49x heavier
Strong panel or platelighter2.88x 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, Magnesium AZ31B-H24 or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

Magnesium AZ31B-H24 conducts heat better: 76.9 W/m·K against 16.2 W/m·K for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel expands less: 15.7 µm/m·K against 26.8 µm/m·K for Magnesium AZ31B-H24.

Among 59 materials

1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless 303Stainless 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelMagnesium AZ31B-H24DMLS 316L Stainless Steel
Stiffness against density
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless 304Stainless 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless 303Stainless 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickMagnesium AZ31B-H24DMLS 316L Stainless Steel
Strength against density

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