Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Plastic Nylon PA6

Compare Aluminum 2024-T351 vs. Plastic Nylon PA6 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Aluminum 2024-T351Wrought

Plastic Nylon PA6Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	324MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen	90MPasourcetypical, dry
Ultimate tensile strength	469MPasourcetypical	not sourced
Elongation at break	19%sourcetypical, in 4D	10%sourcenominal strain at break, dry
Young's modulus (stiffness)	73.1GPasourcetypical	3.5GPasourcetypical, dry
Density	2,770kg/m³sourcenominal	1,130kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	117kN·m/kg47% higher	79.6kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	26.4MN·m/kg8.52x higher	3.1MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant), all tempers	0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	27.5GPa22x stiffer in shear	1.25GPa
Bulk modulus	71.7GPa	5.83GPa
Speed of sound	5,137m/s	1,760m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	120W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C	0.33W/m·Ksourcetypical
Thermal expansion	22.9µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C	102µm/m·Ksourcelongitudinal, 23-55 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	115µm growth4.45x less	510µm growth
Specific heat	875J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C	1,700J/kg·Ksourcetypical
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	49.5mm²/s288x faster	0.172mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	15,561W/m312x more resistant	49.9W/m
Melting point	502–638°Csourcemelting range	220°CsourceDSC
Max service temperature	not sourced	87°CsourceIEC 60216 temperature index, 20000 h
Values for	2024-T4/T351, Kaiser Aluminum sheet, coil & plate typical datasheet; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J	BASF Ultramid B3S (PA6, unreinforced injection-moulding grade), Product Information 02/2026, dry values (ISO methods)

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.

Questions

Is Aluminum 2024-T351 stronger than Plastic Nylon PA6?

Aluminum 2024-T351 is stronger: its yield strength is 324 MPa against 90 MPa for Plastic Nylon PA6 (3.6x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Plastic Nylon PA6?

Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter: 1,130 kg/m³ against 2,770 kg/m³ for Aluminum 2024-T351.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Plastic Nylon PA6?

Aluminum 2024-T351 is stiffer: Young's modulus 73.1 GPa against 3.5 GPa for Plastic Nylon PA6, so the same part in Aluminum 2024-T351 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Plastic Nylon PA6?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 2024-T351 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie; Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter for a strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum 2024-T351	Plastic Nylon PA6
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	8.52x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	1.86x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	12% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	47% heavier
Strong beam	4% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	29% 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, Aluminum 2024-T351 or Plastic Nylon PA6?

Aluminum 2024-T351 conducts heat better: 120 W/m·K against 0.33 W/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA6.

Which expands less with temperature?

Aluminum 2024-T351 expands less: 22.9 µm/m·K against 102 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA6.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density