Materials / Compare
Plastic ABS vs. Plastic Nylon
Compare Plastic ABS vs. Plastic Nylon strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 38.1MPasourcetypical | 63.1MPasourcetypical1.66x stronger |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 38.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) | 63.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)1.66x stronger |
| Flexural strength | 61.1MPasourcetypical | 82.9MPasourcetypical36% stronger in bending |
| Elongation at break | 4.6%sourcetypical | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 1.96GPasourcetypical | 2.33GPasourcetypical19% stiffer |
| Density | 1,100kg/m³sourcetypical | 1,140kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 34.6kN·m/kg | 55.4kN·m/kg1.6x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 1.78MN·m/kg | 2.04MN·m/kg15% higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.39sourcebase material: ABS family typical (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 | 0.706GPa | 0.833GPa18% stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 2.97GPa | 3.89GPa |
| Speed of sound | 1,336m/s | 1,430m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, typical | 0.33W/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) |
| Thermal expansion | 80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, range | 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 | 21.2W/m | 53.6W/m2.53x more resistant |
| Melting point | not sourced | 188°Csourcetypical |
| Glass transition | 101°Csourcetypical | 55.1°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | 86.6°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) | 89.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) |
| Values for | Ultimaker ABS, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); 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 v5.00, April 20, 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 ABS and Plastic Nylon are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Plastic ABS stronger than Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon is stronger: its yield strength is 63.1 MPa against 38.1 MPa for Plastic ABS (1.66x).
Which is lighter, Plastic ABS or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic ABS is lighter: 1,100 kg/m³ against 1,140 kg/m³ for Plastic Nylon.
Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.33 GPa against 1.96 GPa for Plastic ABS, so the same part in Plastic Nylon deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS or Plastic Nylon?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Nylon 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 | Plastic ABS | Plastic Nylon |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 15% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 5% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 2% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 1.6x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 35% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 24% 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 or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon conducts heat better: 0.33 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS.
Which expands less with temperature?
Plastic ABS expands less: 95 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon.