Materials / Compare
Plastic HDPE vs. Plastic Nylon
Compare Plastic HDPE 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 | 24MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C, 50 mm/min ISO 527 | 63.1MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | not sourced | 63.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) |
| Flexural strength | not sourced | 82.9MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | not sourced | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 0.9GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus 23 °C ISO 527 | 2.33GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 950kg/m³sourcetypical, ISO 1183 | 1,140kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 25.3kN·m/kg | 55.4kN·m/kg2.19x higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 0.947MN·m/kg | 2.04MN·m/kg2.16x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.4–0.45sourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE) | 0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1) |
| Shear modulus | 0.316GPa | 0.833GPa2.64x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 2GPa | 3.89GPa |
| Speed of sound | 973m/s | 1,430m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.4–0.49W/m·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE) | 0.33W/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) |
| Thermal expansion | 120µm/m·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE) | 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 | 600µm growth | 500µm growth20% less |
| Specific heat | 2,250J/kg·Ksourcebase material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE) | 1,700J/kg·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 0.208mm²/s22% faster | 0.17mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 56.9W/m6% more resistant | 53.6W/m |
| Melting point | not sourced | 188°Csourcetypical |
| Glass transition | not sourced | 55.1°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 89.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) |
| Values for | LyondellBasell Hostalen 23050 B high density polyethylene, typical ISO values | 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 Plastic HDPE stronger than Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon is stronger: its yield strength is 63.1 MPa against 24 MPa for Plastic HDPE (2.63x).
Which is lighter, Plastic HDPE or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic HDPE is lighter: 950 kg/m³ against 1,140 kg/m³ for Plastic Nylon.
Which is stiffer, Plastic HDPE or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.33 GPa against 0.9 GPa for Plastic HDPE, so the same part in Plastic Nylon deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic HDPE or Plastic Nylon?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Nylon 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 | Plastic HDPE | Plastic Nylon |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 2.16x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 34% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 14% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 2.19x heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 1.59x heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 35% 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, Plastic HDPE or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic HDPE conducts heat better: 0.445 W/m·K against 0.33 W/m·K for Plastic Nylon.
Which expands less with temperature?
Plastic Nylon expands less: 100 µm/m·K against 120 µm/m·K for Plastic HDPE.