Materials / Compare

Plastic PETG vs. DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium

Compare Plastic PETG vs. DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic PETG3D printed (FDM)
DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium3D printed metal (DMLS)
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Mechanical
Yield strength46.2MPasourcetypical1,100MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)
Ultimate tensile strength46.2MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)1,270MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)
Flexural strength78.9MPasourcetypicalnot sourced
Elongation at break7.6%sourcetypical8.7%sourcetypical at break, as built (M400)
Young's modulus (stiffness)1.94GPasourcetypical110GPasourcesame maker and process, sibling grade: EOS Titanium Ti64 (Grade 5) on EOS M 290, as built, XY and Z, typical
Density1,270kg/m³sourcetypical4,400kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), M400
Strength to weight36.4kN·m/kg250kN·m/kg6.87x higher
Stiffness to weight1.53MN·m/kg25MN·m/kg16.4x higher
Poisson's rationot sourced0.342sourcewrought TIMETAL 6-4 (TIMET measurement, mean of 10); composition-level, not DMLS-measured
Shear modulusnot sourced41GPa
Bulk modulusnot sourced116GPa
Speed of sound1,236m/s5,000m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity0.21W/m·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typical6.6W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C
Thermal expansion51µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typical9µm/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)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing255µm growth45µm growth5.67x less
Specific heat1,300J/kg·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), DSC at 60 °C (lowest temperature listed)580J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)0.127mm²/s2.59mm²/s20.3x faster
Thermal shock resistancenot sourced4,825W/m
Melting pointnot sourced1,630–1,650°Csourcemelting range, wrought TIMETAL 6-4 (composition-level)
Glass transition77.4°Csourcetypicalnot sourced
Max service temperature76.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)not sourced
Values forUltimaker PETG, 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 v1.00, April 29, 2022.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

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.

Plastic PETG and DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Plastic PETG stronger than DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stronger: its yield strength is 1,100 MPa against 46.2 MPa for Plastic PETG (23.8x).

Which is lighter, Plastic PETG or DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium?

Plastic PETG is lighter: 1,270 kg/m³ against 4,400 kg/m³ for DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium.

Which is stiffer, Plastic PETG or DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stiffer: Young's modulus 110 GPa against 1.94 GPa for Plastic PETG, so the same part in DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium deflects less under the same load.

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

For the same stiffness or strength: DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium 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 bePlastic PETGDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium
Stiff rod or tie (tension)16.4x heavierlighter
Stiff beam (bending)2.17x heavierlighter
Stiff panel or plate11% heavierlighter
Strong rod or tie6.87x heavierlighter
Strong beam2.39x heavierlighter
Strong panel or plate41% heavierlighter

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, Plastic PETG or DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium conducts heat better: 6.6 W/m·K against 0.21 W/m·K for Plastic PETG.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium expands less: 9 µm/m·K against 51 µm/m·K for Plastic PETG.

Among 59 materials

1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic 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 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc 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 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelPlastic PETGDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium
Stiffness against density
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic 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 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc 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 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickPlastic PETGDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium
Strength against density

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