Materials / Compare

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium vs. Steel AISI 4340

Compare DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium vs. Steel AISI 4340 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium3D printed metal (DMLS)
Steel AISI 4340Wrought
MechanicalDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumSteel AISI 4340
Yield strength1,100MPa11,035MPa2
Ultimate tensile strength1,270MPa111% stronger1,140MPa2
Elongation at break8.7%118%22.07x more ductile
Young's modulus (stiffness)same maker and process110GPa3200GPa4
Density4,400kg/m³11.78x lighter7,840kg/m³2
Strength to weight250kN·m/kg1.89x higher132kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight25MN·m/kg25.5MN·m/kg2% higher
Poisson's ratiowrought TIMETAL 6-40.34250.324
Shear modulus41GPa75.7GPa1.85x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus116GPa185GPa1.6x higher
Speed of sound5,000m/s5,049m/s
1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcretePCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumSteel AISI 4340
Stiffness against densityHigher and further left: stiffer for its weight
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Aluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumSteel AISI 4340
Strength against densityHigher and further left: stronger for its weight
ThermalDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumSteel AISI 4340
Thermal conductivitybase material6.6W/m·K637.5W/m·K25.68x more heat through a fin
Thermal expansionmean 25-100 °C9µm/m·K726% lessmean11.3µm/m·K2
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing45µm growth26% less56.5µm growth
Specific heatbase material580J/kg·K629% higher448J/kg·K2
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)2.59mm²/s10.7mm²/s4.13x faster
Thermal shock resistance4,825W/m11,678W/m2.42x more resistant
Melting pointmelting range1,630–1,650°C5not sourced
1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic NylonRubberWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcreteBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumSteel AISI 4340
Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weight
0.111010010100Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)Thermal expansion (µm/m·K)Plastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic NylonWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PolypropylenePlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcreteBrickPlywoodPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumSteel AISI 4340
Thermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources7 documents: EOS GmbH, Carpenter Technology, U.S. Department of Defense, TIMET
DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium
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
Steel AISI 4340
Carpenter (Latrobe) Lescalloy 4340 VAC-ARC datasheet; mechanical row for 1100 °F temper; physical properties grade-level
  1. 1
    EOS Titanium Ti64ELI Material Data Sheet, M 290 and M 400EOS GmbHarchived copyDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium · Yield strength: typical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, as built, average of horizontal + vertical (M400)DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium · Elongation at break: typical at break, as built (M400)DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium · Density: typical part density (ISO 3369), M400
  2. 2
    Lescalloy 4340 VAC-ARC Data SheetCarpenter Technologyarchived copySteel AISI 4340 · Yield strength: typical, transverseSteel AISI 4340 · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, transverseSteel AISI 4340 · Elongation at break: typical, transverseSteel AISI 4340 · Density: typicalSteel AISI 4340 · Thermal conductivity: typicalSteel AISI 4340 · Thermal expansion: mean, -18 to 93 °CSteel AISI 4340 · Specific heat: typical
  3. 3
    EOS Titanium Ti64 Material Data Sheet, M 290 (2022)EOS GmbHarchived copyDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium · Young's modulus (stiffness): same maker and process, sibling grade: EOS Titanium Ti64 (Grade 5) on EOS M 290, as built, XY and Z, typical
  4. 4
    MIL-HDBK-5J, Metallic Materials and Elements for Aerospace Vehicle Structures (2003)U.S. Department of DefenseSteel AISI 4340 · Young's modulus (stiffness): MIL-HDBK-5J design value (AISI 4340, quenched and tempered)Steel AISI 4340 · Poisson's ratio: MIL-HDBK-5J design value (AISI 4340, quenched and tempered)
  5. 5
    TIMETAL 6-4 PropertiesTIMETarchived copyDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium · Poisson's ratio: wrought TIMETAL 6-4 (TIMET measurement, mean of 10); composition-level, not DMLS-measuredDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium · Melting point: melting range, wrought TIMETAL 6-4 (composition-level)
  6. 6
    TIMETAL 6-4 Data SheetTIMETarchived copyDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium · Thermal conductivity: base material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °CDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium · Specific heat: base material: wrought Ti-6Al-4V / 6-4 ELI (TIMET datasheet), 20 °C
  7. 7
    EOS Titanium Ti64 Grade 23 Material Data SheetEOS GmbHarchived copyDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium · Thermal expansion: mean 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)

Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "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

Mechanical

Is DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium stronger than Steel AISI 4340?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is stronger: its yield strength is 1,100 MPa against 1,035 MPa for Steel AISI 4340 (6%).

Which is lighter, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Steel AISI 4340?

DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium is lighter: 4,400 kg/m³ against 7,840 kg/m³ for Steel AISI 4340.

Which is stiffer, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Steel AISI 4340?

Steel AISI 4340 is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 110 GPa for DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium, so the same part in Steel AISI 4340 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Steel AISI 4340?

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; Steel AISI 4340 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension).

Part that must beDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumSteel AISI 4340
Stiff rod or tie (tension)2% heavierlighter
Stiff beam (bending)lighter32% heavier
Stiff panel or platelighter46% heavier
Strong rod or tielighter1.89x heavier
Strong beamlighter1.86x heavier
Strong panel or platelighter1.84x 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 is more ductile, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Steel AISI 4340?

Steel AISI 4340 stretches further before it breaks: 18% elongation at break against 8.7% for DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium.

Thermal

Which conducts heat better, DMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI Titanium or Steel AISI 4340?

Steel AISI 4340 conducts heat better: 37.5 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 11.3 µm/m·K for Steel AISI 4340.

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