6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J
EOS PA 2200 (PA12) Material Data Sheet, process parameter 'Balance' at 120 µm layer thickness, X orientation, dry (conditioned values not given). Live MDS status 04.10.2026, last changed 10.09.2026; PDF via ?topdf=... link on the same page.
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.
SLS PA12 Nylon is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Aluminum 6061-T6 stronger than SLS PA12 Nylon?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against tensile strength 48 MPa for SLS PA12 Nylon (5.75x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum 6061-T6 or SLS PA12 Nylon?
SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum 6061-T6.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum 6061-T6 or SLS PA12 Nylon?
Aluminum 6061-T6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 68.3 GPa against 1.65 GPa for SLS PA12 Nylon, so the same part in Aluminum 6061-T6 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum 6061-T6 or SLS PA12 Nylon?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum 6061-T6 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam; SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter for a strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Aluminum 6061-T6
SLS PA12 Nylon
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
14.3x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.22x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
19% heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
1.98x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
11% heavier
Strong panel or plate
21% 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).