Materials / Compare
Magnesium AZ91D vs. Plastic Nylon
Compare Magnesium AZ91D 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 | 150MPasourcetypical, 0.2% tensile yield, ambient temperature | 63.1MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 230MPasourcetypical, ambient temperature | 63.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) |
| Flexural strength | not sourced | 82.9MPasourcetypical |
| Elongation at break | 3%sourcetypical, ambient temperature | not sourced |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 45GPasourcetypical19.3x stiffer | 2.33GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 1,810kg/m³sourcetypical | 1,140kg/m³sourcetypical1.59x lighter |
| Strength to weight | 82.9kN·m/kg50% higher | 55.4kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 24.9MN·m/kg12.2x higher | 2.04MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.35sourcebase material: AZ91C casting (MIL-HDBK-5J handbook physical constant) | 0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1) |
| Shear modulus | 16.7GPa20x stiffer in shear | 0.833GPa |
| Bulk modulus | 50GPa | 3.89GPa |
| Speed of sound | 4,986m/s | 1,430m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 72W/m·Ksourcetypical | 0.33W/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) |
| Thermal expansion | 25µm/m·Ksourcetypical, temperature range not stated | 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 | 125µm growth4x less | 500µm growth |
| Specific heat | 1,050J/kg·Ksourcetypical | 1,700J/kg·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 37.9mm²/s222x faster | 0.17mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 6,240W/m116x more resistant | 53.6W/m |
| Melting point | 470–595°Csourcemelting range | 188°Csourcetypical |
| Glass transition | not sourced | 55.1°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | not sourced | 89.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) |
| Values for | ELEKTRON AZ91D magnesium die-casting alloy, as cast; Magnesium Elektron datasheet 475 (7/01), typical properties; Poisson from MIL-HDBK-5J for AZ91C castings. | 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 Magnesium AZ91D stronger than Plastic Nylon?
Magnesium AZ91D is stronger: its yield strength is 150 MPa against 63.1 MPa for Plastic Nylon (2.38x).
Which is lighter, Magnesium AZ91D or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon is lighter: 1,140 kg/m³ against 1,810 kg/m³ for Magnesium AZ91D.
Which is stiffer, Magnesium AZ91D or Plastic Nylon?
Magnesium AZ91D is stiffer: Young's modulus 45 GPa against 2.33 GPa for Plastic Nylon, so the same part in Magnesium AZ91D deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Magnesium AZ91D or Plastic Nylon?
For the same stiffness or strength: Magnesium AZ91D 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 | Magnesium AZ91D | Plastic Nylon |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 12.2x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 2.77x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 1.69x heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 50% heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 12% heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | 3% 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, Magnesium AZ91D or Plastic Nylon?
Magnesium AZ91D conducts heat better: 72 W/m·K against 0.33 W/m·K for Plastic Nylon.
Which expands less with temperature?
Magnesium AZ91D expands less: 25 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon.