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

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

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

Plastic UHMWPEBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	1,100MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)	20MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527, 50 mm/min
Ultimate tensile strength	1,270MPasourcetypical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)	43MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/min
Elongation at break	8.7%sourcetypical at break, as built (M400)	465%sourcetypical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527
Young's modulus (stiffness)	110GPasourcesame maker and process, sibling grade: EOS Titanium Ti64 (Grade 5) on EOS M 290, as built, XY and Z, typical	0.66GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/min
Density	4,400kg/m³sourcetypical part density (ISO 3369), M400	930kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	250kN·m/kg11.6x higher	21.5kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	25MN·m/kg35.2x higher	0.71MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.342sourcewrought TIMETAL 6-4 (TIMET measurement, mean of 10); composition-level, not DMLS-measured	not sourced
Shear modulus	41GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	116GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	5,000m/s	842m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	6.6W/m·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	0.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE)
Thermal expansion	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)	200µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	45µm growth22.2x less	1,000µm growth
Specific heat	580J/kg·Ksourcebase material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	2.59mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	4,825W/m	not sourced
Melting point	1,630–1,650°Csourcemelting range, wrought TIMETAL 6-4 (composition-level)	130–138°CsourceDSC 10 K/min
Max service temperature	not sourced	80°Csourcerecommended max constant operating temperature
Values for	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	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 Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

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

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stronger: its yield strength is 1,100 MPa against 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (55x).

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

Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 4,400 kg/m³ for DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium.

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

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stiffer: Young's modulus 110 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, so the same part in DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium deflects less under the same load.

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

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 be	DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium	Plastic UHMWPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	35.2x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.73x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	16% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	11.6x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	3.06x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	1.57x 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 Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Plastic UHMWPE?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium conducts heat better: 6.6 W/m·K against 0.4 W/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.

Which expands less with temperature?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium expands less: 9 µm/m·K against 200 µm/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density