Aluminum A380 vs. SLS PA12 Nylon

Compare Aluminum A380 vs. SLS PA12 Nylon strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	160MPasourcetypical, 25 °C	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	320MPasourcetypical, 25 °C	48MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	3.5%sourcetypical	18%sourcetypical5.14x more ductile
Young's modulus (stiffness)	71GPasourcetypical, 25 °C	1.65GPasourcetypical
Density	2,713kg/m³sourcetypical at 68 °F	930kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	59kN·m/kg14% higher	51.6kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	26.2MN·m/kg14.8x higher	1.77MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	not sourced
Shear modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Bulk modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Speed of sound	5,116m/s	1,332m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	96.2W/m·Ksourcetypical at 68 °F	not sourced
Thermal expansion	21.8µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 68-572 °F (20-300 °C)	not sourced
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	109µm growth	not sourced
Specific heat	963J/kg·Ksourcetypical at 68 °F	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	36.8mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	not sourced
Melting point	not sourced	176°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	not sourced	64°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa, X orientation
Values for	A380 aluminium high-pressure die-casting alloy, typical properties; Rheocast Company (aluminium die caster, Germantown WI) A380 alloy data page.	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 A380 stronger than SLS PA12 Nylon?

Aluminum A380 is stronger: its yield strength is 160 MPa against tensile strength 48 MPa for SLS PA12 Nylon (3.33x).

Which is lighter, Aluminum A380 or SLS PA12 Nylon?

SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 2,713 kg/m³ for Aluminum A380.

Which is stiffer, Aluminum A380 or SLS PA12 Nylon?

Aluminum A380 is stiffer: Young's modulus 71 GPa against 1.65 GPa for SLS PA12 Nylon, so the same part in Aluminum A380 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum A380 or SLS PA12 Nylon?

For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum A380 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie; SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter for a strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Aluminum A380	SLS PA12 Nylon
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	14.8x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	2.25x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	20% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	14% heavier
Strong beam	31% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	1.6x 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 is more ductile, Aluminum A380 or SLS PA12 Nylon?

SLS PA12 Nylon stretches further before it breaks: 18% elongation at break against 3.5% for Aluminum A380.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density