Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) vs. Plastic Nylon

Compare Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) vs. Plastic Nylon strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

Change either side

Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser	Open in LessCAD	Open in LessCAD
Yield strength	45MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C	63.1MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	not sourced	63.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength	65MPasourcetypical, 23 °C	82.9MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	10%sourcenominal strain at break, 23 °C	not sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.3GPasourcetypical	2.33GPasourcetypical
Density	1,040kg/m³sourcetypical	1,140kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	43.3kN·m/kg	55.4kN·m/kg28% higher
Stiffness to weight	2.21MN·m/kg8% higher	2.04MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.39sourcetypical, ABS family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	0.827GPa	0.833GPa
Bulk modulus	3.48GPa	3.89GPa
Speed of sound	1,487m/s	1,430m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.17W/m·Ksourcetypical	0.33W/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both)
Thermal expansion	80–110µm/m·Ksourcerange	98–102µm/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K, 98) and PA6 (B3S, 102), 23-55 C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	475µm growth5% less	500µm growth
Specific heat	not sourced	1,700J/kg·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	0.17mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	21.4W/m	53.6W/m2.51x more resistant
Melting point	not sourced	188°Csourcetypical
Glass transition	not sourced	55.1°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	94°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa (annealed 4 h/80 °C)	89.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
Values for	INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 general-purpose injection-molding ABS, ISO typical values (TDS revision 08/01/2022)	Ultimaker Nylon, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat), conditioned >=24 h at room temperature; Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS v2.00, April 20, 2022.

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.

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

Questions

Is Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) stronger than Plastic Nylon?

Plastic Nylon is stronger: its yield strength is 63.1 MPa against 45 MPa for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) (40%).

Which is lighter, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Plastic Nylon?

Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is lighter: 1,040 kg/m³ against 1,140 kg/m³ for Plastic Nylon.

Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Plastic Nylon?

Plastic Nylon is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.33 GPa against 2.3 GPa for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection), so the same part in Plastic Nylon deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Plastic Nylon?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate; Plastic Nylon is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)	Plastic Nylon
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	8% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	9% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	9% heavier
Strong rod or tie	28% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	14% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	8% 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, Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) or Plastic Nylon?

Plastic Nylon conducts heat better: 0.33 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS (bulk/injection).

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic ABS (bulk/injection) expands less: 95 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density