Plastic PLA vs. Titanium Ti-6Al-4V

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

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	52.5MPasourcetypical	885MPasourcetypical, plate (>0.187 in), annealed, 0.2% offset
Ultimate tensile strength	52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)	940MPasourcetypical, plate, annealed
Flexural strength	96.8MPasourcetypical	not sourced
Elongation at break	7.8%sourcetypical	16%sourcetypical, in 2 in., plate annealed
Young's modulus (stiffness)	3.25GPasourcetypical	107–122GPasourcetypical range, 20 °C
Density	1,240kg/m³sourcetypical	4,430kg/m³sourcenominal
Strength to weight	42.3kN·m/kg	200kN·m/kg4.72x higher
Stiffness to weight	2.62MN·m/kg	25.8MN·m/kg9.86x higher
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.342sourcemean of TIMET measurements
Shear modulus	not sourced	42.7GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	121GPa
Speed of sound	1,619m/s	5,084m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C	6.6W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C, mill annealed
Thermal expansion	not sourced	9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 0-100 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	not sourced	45µm growth
Specific heat	1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C	580J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.0874mm²/s	2.57mm²/s29.4x faster
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	3,730W/m
Melting point	152°Csourcetypical	1,630–1,650°Csourcemelting range
Glass transition	59.1°Csourcetypical	not sourced
Max service temperature	58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	400°Csourceupper recommended use temperature
Values for	Ultimaker PLA, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat) orientation; 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 dated April 20, 2022.	TIMETAL 6-4 (Ti-6Al-4V Grade 5) annealed plate typical (TIMET properties manual) + TIMET datasheet TMC-0150 physical properties

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

Questions

Is Plastic PLA stronger than Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

Titanium Ti-6Al-4V is stronger: its yield strength is 885 MPa against 52.5 MPa for Plastic PLA (16.9x).

Which is lighter, Plastic PLA or Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

Plastic PLA is lighter: 1,240 kg/m³ against 4,430 kg/m³ for Titanium Ti-6Al-4V.

Which is stiffer, Plastic PLA or Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

Titanium Ti-6Al-4V is stiffer: Young's modulus 115 GPa against 3.25 GPa for Plastic PLA, so the same part in Titanium Ti-6Al-4V deflects less under the same load.

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

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PLA is lighter for a stiff panel or plate; Titanium Ti-6Al-4V is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Plastic PLA	Titanium Ti-6Al-4V
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	9.86x heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	1.66x heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	9% heavier
Strong rod or tie	4.72x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	1.84x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	15% 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, Plastic PLA or Titanium Ti-6Al-4V?

Titanium Ti-6Al-4V conducts heat better: 6.6 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density