DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel vs. DMLS 316L Stainless Steel

Compare DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel vs. DMLS 316L Stainless Steel strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel3D printed metal (DMLS)

DMLS 316L Stainless Steel3D printed metal (DMLS)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	861MPasourcemean, as built, horizontal (N=72)	530MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal
Ultimate tensile strength	886MPasourcemean, as built, horizontal (N=72)	640MPasourcetypical, as manufactured, horizontal
Elongation at break	19.9%sourcemean at break, as built, horizontal	40%sourcetypical at break, as manufactured, horizontal
Young's modulus (stiffness)	197GPasourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition H 900 (Cleveland-Cliffs)	185GPasourcetypical, as built, horizontal (XY); EOSINT M280-400W / M290-400W, 316L_Surface 1.0, 20 µm (2014 sheet)
Density	7,790kg/m³sourcemean part density (ISO 3369)	7,900kg/m³sourcepart density (ISO 3369, not labelled min or typical), EOS M 290, 40 µm FlexLine
Strength to weight	110kN·m/kg1.65x higher	67.1kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25.3MN·m/kg8% higher	23.4MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.272sourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, all conditions (Cleveland-Cliffs)	0.3sourcebase material: austenitic stainless steels incl. 1.4404 (316L), design value
Shear modulus	77.4GPa9% stiffer in shear	71.2GPa
Bulk modulus	144GPa	154GPa
Speed of sound	5,029m/s	4,839m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	17.9W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition H 900, at 149 °C (Cleveland-Cliffs)	16.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), at 100 °C
Thermal expansion	10.4µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228, AFTER atmospheric heat treatment (as-built value not published)	15.7µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	52µm growth1.51x less	78.6µm growth
Specific heat	460J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition A, 0-100 °C (Cleveland-Cliffs)	500J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 316/316L (Cleveland-Cliffs), 0-100 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	5mm²/s22% faster	4.1mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	5,474W/m2.65x more resistant	2,067W/m
Values for	EOS StainlessSteel 17-4PH IndustryLine (powder 9011-0041), EOS M 290, 40 µm, default job 17-4PH_040_StainlessM291_100, as built, horizontal; ISO 6892 & ASTM E8M	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 17-4PH Stainless Steel and DMLS 316L Stainless Steel are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel stronger than DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 861 MPa against 530 MPa for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel (1.62x).

Which is lighter, DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is lighter: 7,790 kg/m³ against 7,900 kg/m³ for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel.

Which is stiffer, DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 197 GPa against 185 GPa for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel, so the same part in DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

For the same stiffness or strength: DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel 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 be	DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel	DMLS 316L Stainless Steel
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	8% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	5% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	4% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	1.65x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	40% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	29% 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, DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel or DMLS 316L Stainless Steel?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel conducts heat better: 17.9 W/m·K against 16.2 W/m·K for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel expands less: 10.4 µm/m·K against 15.7 µm/m·K for DMLS 316L Stainless Steel.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density