DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel vs. Plastic UHMWPE

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

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

Plastic UHMWPEBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	861MPasourcemean, as built, horizontal (N=72)	20MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527, 50 mm/min
Ultimate tensile strength	886MPasourcemean, as built, horizontal (N=72)	43MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/min
Elongation at break	19.9%sourcemean at break, as built, horizontal	465%sourcetypical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527
Young's modulus (stiffness)	197GPasourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition H 900 (Cleveland-Cliffs)	0.66GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/min
Density	7,790kg/m³sourcemean part density (ISO 3369)	930kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	110kN·m/kg5.14x higher	21.5kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25.3MN·m/kg35.6x higher	0.71MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.272sourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, all conditions (Cleveland-Cliffs)	not sourced
Shear modulus	77.4GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	144GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	5,029m/s	842m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	17.9W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition H 900, at 149 °C (Cleveland-Cliffs)	0.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE)
Thermal expansion	10.4µm/m·Ksourcemean 25-100 °C, ASTM E228, AFTER atmospheric heat treatment (as-built value not published)	200µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	52µm growth19.2x less	1,000µm growth
Specific heat	460J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought 17-4 PH, Condition A, 0-100 °C (Cleveland-Cliffs)	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	5mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	5,474W/m	not sourced
Melting point	not sourced	130–138°CsourceDSC 10 K/min
Max service temperature	not sourced	80°Csourcerecommended max constant operating temperature
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	Celanese GUR 4120 (avg. molecular weight 4.7x10^6 g/mol), typical values on compression-molded specimens; CTE and thermal conductivity from Celanese's generic UHMWPE guide (grade not named)

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

Questions

Is DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel stronger than Plastic UHMWPE?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 861 MPa against 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (43x).

Which is lighter, DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel or Plastic UHMWPE?

Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 7,790 kg/m³ for DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel.

Which is stiffer, DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel or Plastic UHMWPE?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 197 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, 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 Plastic UHMWPE?

For the same stiffness or strength: DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie, strong beam; Plastic UHMWPE is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel	Plastic UHMWPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	35.6x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.06x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	25% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	5.14x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	47% heavier
Strong panel or plate	28% 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, DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel or Plastic UHMWPE?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel conducts heat better: 17.9 W/m·K against 0.4 W/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS 17-4PH Stainless Steel expands less: 10.4 µm/m·K against 200 µm/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density