Plastic Nylon PA6 vs. FDM Polycarbonate

Compare Plastic Nylon PA6 vs. FDM Polycarbonate strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic Nylon PA6Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	90MPasourcetypical, dry	53.3MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	not sourced	53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength	not sourced	89.4MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	10%sourcenominal strain at break, dry	9.2%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	3.5GPasourcetypical, dry	2.39GPasourcetypical
Density	1,130kg/m³sourcetypical	1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange
Strength to weight	79.6kN·m/kg1.78x higher	44.8kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	3.1MN·m/kg1.54x higher	2.01MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1)	0.38sourcebase material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	1.25GPa44% stiffer in shear	0.867GPa
Bulk modulus	5.83GPa	3.33GPa
Speed of sound	1,760m/s	1,418m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.33W/m·Ksourcetypical	0.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °C
Thermal expansion	102µm/m·Ksourcelongitudinal, 23-55 °C	65µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	510µm growth	325µm growth1.57x less
Specific heat	1,700J/kg·Ksourcetypical	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.172mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	49.9W/m18% more resistant	42.5W/m
Melting point	220°CsourceDSC	not sourced
Glass transition	not sourced	108°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	87°CsourceIEC 60216 temperature index, 20000 h	105°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
Values for	BASF Ultramid B3S (PA6, unreinforced injection-moulding grade), Product Information 02/2026, dry values (ISO methods)	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.

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 Plastic Nylon PA6 stronger than FDM Polycarbonate?

Plastic Nylon PA6 is stronger: its yield strength is 90 MPa against 53.3 MPa for FDM Polycarbonate (1.69x).

Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon PA6 or FDM Polycarbonate?

Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter: 1,130 kg/m³ against 1,190 kg/m³ for FDM Polycarbonate.

Which is stiffer, Plastic Nylon PA6 or FDM Polycarbonate?

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, Plastic Nylon PA6 or FDM Polycarbonate?

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	Plastic Nylon PA6	FDM Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	1.54x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	27% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	20% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	1.78x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	49% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	37% heavier

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 Nylon PA6 or FDM Polycarbonate?

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.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density