Materials / Compare
Aluminum vs. Plastic Nylon
Compare Aluminum 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 | 276MPasourcetypical, 0.2% offset, .500 in dia specimen | 63.1MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 310MPasourcetypical | 63.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) |
| Flexural strength | not sourced | 82.9MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 17%sourcetypical, in 4D, 0.500 in dia specimen | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 68.3GPasourcetypical29.3x stiffer | 2.33GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 2,700kg/m³sourcenominal | 1,140kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 102kN·m/kg1.85x higher | 55.4kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 25.3MN·m/kg12.4x higher | 2.04MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.33sourcetypical (handbook physical constant) | 0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1) |
| Shear modulus | 25.7GPa30.8x stiffer in shear | 0.833GPa |
| Bulk modulus | 67GPa | 3.89GPa |
| Speed of sound | 5,030m/s | 1,430m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 167W/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 °C | 0.33W/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) |
| Thermal expansion | 23.6µm/m·Ksourcetypical, mean 20-100 °C | 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 | 118µm growth4.24x less | 500µm growth |
| Specific heat | 896J/kg·Ksourcetypical, at 100 °C | 1,700J/kg·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 69mm²/s405x faster | 0.17mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 19,159W/m357x more resistant | 53.6W/m |
| Melting point | 582–652°Csourcesolidus-liquidus | 188°Csourcetypical |
| Glass transition | not sourced | 55.1°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 89.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) |
| Values for | 6061-T6/T651, Kaiser Aluminum typical properties (sheet, coil & plate datasheet); Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J | 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 Nylon is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Aluminum stronger than Plastic Nylon?
Aluminum is stronger: its yield strength is 276 MPa against 63.1 MPa for Plastic Nylon (4.37x).
Which is lighter, Aluminum or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon is lighter: 1,140 kg/m³ against 2,700 kg/m³ for Aluminum.
Which is stiffer, Aluminum or Plastic Nylon?
Aluminum is stiffer: Young's modulus 68.3 GPa against 2.33 GPa for Plastic Nylon, so the same part in Aluminum deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Aluminum or Plastic Nylon?
For the same stiffness or strength: Aluminum is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam; Plastic Nylon is lighter for a strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Aluminum | Plastic Nylon |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 12.4x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.29x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 30% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 1.85x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 13% heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | 13% 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 or Plastic Nylon?
Aluminum conducts heat better: 167 W/m·K against 0.33 W/m·K for Plastic Nylon.
Which expands less with temperature?
Aluminum expands less: 23.6 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon.