Materials / Compare
FDM Polycarbonate vs. Plastic Nylon PA6
Compare FDM Polycarbonate vs. Plastic Nylon PA6 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 | 53.3MPasourcetypical | 90MPasourcetypical, dry |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) | not sourced |
| Flexural strength | 89.4MPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Elongation at break | 9.2%sourcetypical | 10%sourcenominal strain at break, dry |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 2.39GPasourcetypical | 3.5GPasourcetypical, dry |
| Density | 1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange | 1,130kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 44.8kN·m/kg | 79.6kN·m/kg1.78x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 2.01MN·m/kg | 3.1MN·m/kg1.54x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.38sourcebase material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1) | 0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1) |
| Shear modulus | 0.867GPa | 1.25GPa44% stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 3.33GPa | 5.83GPa |
| Speed of sound | 1,418m/s | 1,760m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °C | 0.33W/m·Ksourcetypical |
| Thermal expansion | 65µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel | 102µm/m·Ksourcelongitudinal, 23-55 °C |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 325µm growth1.57x less | 510µm growth |
| Specific heat | not sourced | 1,700J/kg·Ksourcetypical |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | not sourced | 0.172mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 42.5W/m | 49.9W/m18% more resistant |
| Melting point | not sourced | 220°CsourceDSC |
| Glass transition | 108°Csourcetypical | not sourced |
| Max service temperature | 105°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) | 87°CsourceIEC 60216 temperature index, 20000 h |
| Values for | Ultimaker PC, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); 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 (file v5.00), April 20, 2022. | BASF Ultramid B3S (PA6, unreinforced injection-moulding grade), Product Information 02/2026, dry values (ISO methods) |
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.
FDM Polycarbonate is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is FDM Polycarbonate stronger than Plastic Nylon PA6?
Plastic Nylon PA6 is stronger: its yield strength is 90 MPa against 53.3 MPa for FDM Polycarbonate (1.69x).
Which is lighter, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic Nylon PA6?
Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter: 1,130 kg/m³ against 1,190 kg/m³ for FDM Polycarbonate.
Which is stiffer, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic Nylon PA6?
Plastic Nylon PA6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 3.5 GPa against 2.39 GPa for FDM Polycarbonate, so the same part in Plastic Nylon PA6 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic Nylon PA6?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
| Part that must be | FDM Polycarbonate | Plastic Nylon PA6 |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 1.54x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 27% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 20% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 1.78x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 49% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 37% 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, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic Nylon PA6?
Plastic Nylon PA6 conducts heat better: 0.33 W/m·K against 0.2 W/m·K for FDM Polycarbonate.
Which expands less with temperature?
FDM Polycarbonate expands less: 65 µm/m·K against 102 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA6.
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