JIS ADC12 (Al-Si-Cu, about A383 / EN AC-46100) high-pressure die-casting alloy, as cast; physical properties from Daiki Aluminium Industry (ADC12 ingot producer) measured values; modulus from S.S.Aluminum (ADC12 ingot producer) standard values.
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 ADC12 stronger than SLS PA12 Nylon?
Aluminum ADC12 is stronger: its yield strength is 149 MPa against tensile strength 48 MPa for SLS PA12 Nylon (3.1x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum ADC12 or SLS PA12 Nylon?
SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 2,680 kg/m³ for Aluminum ADC12.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum ADC12 or SLS PA12 Nylon?
Aluminum ADC12 is stiffer: Young's modulus 79.8 GPa against 1.65 GPa for SLS PA12 Nylon, so the same part in Aluminum ADC12 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum ADC12 or SLS PA12 Nylon?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum ADC12 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 ADC12
SLS PA12 Nylon
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
16.8x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
2.41x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
26% heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
8% heavier
Strong beam
35% heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
1.64x 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).