Stainless 316 vs. DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium

Compare Stainless 316 vs. DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium3D printed metal (DMLS)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	265MPasourcetypical (representative), annealed 1.0 mm sheet	1,100MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)
Ultimate tensile strength	583MPasourcetypical (representative), annealed 1.0 mm sheet	1,270MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)
Elongation at break	61%sourcetypical (representative), annealed, in 2 in. (51 mm)	8.7%sourcetypical at break, as built (M400)
Young's modulus (stiffness)	200GPasourcetypical, in tension	110GPasourcesame maker and process, sibling grade: EOS Titanium Ti64 (Grade 5) on EOS M 290, as built, XY and Z, typical
Density	8,027kg/m³sourcetypical	4,400kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), M400
Strength to weight	33kN·m/kg	250kN·m/kg7.57x higher
Stiffness to weight	24.9MN·m/kg	25MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.3sourcedesign value (structural stainless steels)	0.342sourcewrought TIMETAL 6-4 (TIMET measurement, mean of 10); composition-level, not DMLS-measured
Shear modulus	76.9GPa1.88x stiffer in shear	41GPa
Bulk modulus	167GPa	116GPa
Speed of sound	4,992m/s	5,000m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	14.6W/m·Ksource20–100 °C	6.6W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C
Thermal expansion	16.5µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20–100 °C	9µm/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 swing	82.5µm growth	45µm growth1.83x less
Specific heat	450J/kg·Ksourceat 20 °C	580J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	4.04mm²/s1.56x faster	2.59mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	821W/m	4,825W/m5.88x more resistant
Melting point	1,390–1,440°Csourcemelting range	1,630–1,650°Csourcemelting range, wrought TIMETAL 6-4 (composition-level)
Max service temperature	871–899°Csourceoxidation (scaling) limit in air	not sourced
Values for	ATI 316 (UNS S31600), annealed 1.0 mm sheet, ATI technical data sheet (2012); Poisson's ratio from the Nickel Institute/SCI structural stainless design manual	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.

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

Questions

Is Stainless 316 stronger than DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stronger: its yield strength is 1,100 MPa against 265 MPa for Stainless 316 (4.15x).

Which is lighter, Stainless 316 or DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is lighter: 4,400 kg/m³ against 8,027 kg/m³ for Stainless 316.

Which is stiffer, Stainless 316 or DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium?

Stainless 316 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 110 GPa for DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium, so the same part in Stainless 316 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Stainless 316 or DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium?

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

Part that must be	Stainless 316	DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	about equal	about equal
Stiff beam (bending)	35% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	49% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	7.57x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	4.71x heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	3.72x 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, Stainless 316 or DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium?

Stainless 316 conducts heat better: 14.6 W/m·K against 6.6 W/m·K for DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium expands less: 9 µm/m·K against 16.5 µm/m·K for Stainless 316.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density