Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Sources3 documents: Copper Development Association, EOS GmbH, Wieland
Copper C10100
C10100 oxygen-free electronic (OFE) copper, annealed to 0.050 mm grain size (OS050), 0.04 in. flat products, copper.org typical values
SLS PA12 Nylon
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.
1
C10100 Alloy (copper.org)Copper Development Associationarchived copyCopper C10100 · Yield strength: typical, 0.5% extension under load, 0.04 in. flatCopper C10100 · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, 0.04 in. flatCopper C10100 · Elongation at break: typical, 0.04 in. flatCopper C10100 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalCopper C10100 · Density: nominalCopper C10100 · Thermal conductivity: typical, 20 °CCopper C10100 · Thermal expansion: typical, mean 20-100 °CCopper C10100 · Specific heat: typical, 20 °CCopper C10100 · Melting point: melting point (liquidus = solidus, pure copper)
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PA 2200 Balance Material Data SheetEOS GmbHSLS PA12 Nylon · Ultimate tensile strength: typicalSLS PA12 Nylon · Elongation at break: typicalSLS PA12 Nylon · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalSLS PA12 Nylon · Density: typicalSLS PA12 Nylon · Melting point: typicalSLS PA12 Nylon · Max service temperature: HDT 1.8 MPa, X orientation
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Wieland-K09 (Cu-OFE, C10100) Data SheetWielandCopper C10100 · Poisson's ratio: reference value at room temperature (Wieland-K09 = Cu-OFE = C10100, rolled products)
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "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
Mechanical
Is Copper C10100 stronger than SLS PA12 Nylon?
Copper C10100 is stronger: its yield strength is 69 MPa against tensile strength 48 MPa for SLS PA12 Nylon (44%).
Which is lighter, Copper C10100 or SLS PA12 Nylon?
SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 8,941 kg/m³ for Copper C10100.
Which is stiffer, Copper C10100 or SLS PA12 Nylon?
Copper C10100 is stiffer: Young's modulus 117 GPa against 1.65 GPa for SLS PA12 Nylon, so the same part in Copper C10100 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Copper C10100 or SLS PA12 Nylon?
For the same stiffness or strength: Copper C10100 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension); SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Copper C10100
SLS PA12 Nylon
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
7.39x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
14% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
2.32x heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
6.69x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
7.55x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
8.02x 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, Copper C10100 or SLS PA12 Nylon?
Copper C10100 stretches further before it breaks: 45% elongation at break against 18% for SLS PA12 Nylon.