Plastic Nylon PA6 vs. SLA Resin Tough 2000

Compare Plastic Nylon PA6 vs. SLA Resin Tough 2000 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic Nylon PA6Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

SLA Resin Tough 20003D printed (SLA resin)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	90MPasourcetypical, dry	40.4MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	not sourced	40.4MPasourcetypical
Flexural strength	not sourced	67MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	10%sourcenominal strain at break, dry	79%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	3.5GPasourcetypical, dry	1.8GPasourcetypical
Density	1,130kg/m³sourcetypical	1,090kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	79.6kN·m/kg2.15x higher	37.1kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	3.1MN·m/kg1.88x higher	1.65MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1)	not sourced
Shear modulus	1.25GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	5.83GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	1,760m/s	1,285m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.33W/m·Ksourcetypical	not sourced
Thermal expansion	102µm/m·Ksourcelongitudinal, 23-55 °C	134µm/m·Ksourcemean 0-150 °C
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	510µm growth32% less	671µm growth
Specific heat	1,700J/kg·Ksourcetypical	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.172mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	49.9W/m	not sourced
Melting point	220°CsourceDSC	not sourced
Glass transition	not sourced	112°CsourceDMA
Max service temperature	87°CsourceIEC 60216 temperature index, 20000 h	57°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa
Values for	BASF Ultramid B3S (PA6, unreinforced injection-moulding grade), Product Information 02/2026, dry values (ISO methods)	Formlabs Tough 2000 Resin V2 (FLTO2002), TDS Rev. 01 10/06/2025; printed on Form 4 at 100 µm, washed in Form Wash V2 10+5 min in >=99% IPA, post-cured 70 °C for 12 min in Form Cure V2. Orientation not stated.

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.

SLA Resin Tough 2000 is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Plastic Nylon PA6 stronger than SLA Resin Tough 2000?

Plastic Nylon PA6 is stronger: its yield strength is 90 MPa against 40.4 MPa for SLA Resin Tough 2000 (2.23x).

Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon PA6 or SLA Resin Tough 2000?

SLA Resin Tough 2000 is lighter: 1,090 kg/m³ against 1,130 kg/m³ for Plastic Nylon PA6.

Which is stiffer, Plastic Nylon PA6 or SLA Resin Tough 2000?

Plastic Nylon PA6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 3.5 GPa against 1.8 GPa for SLA Resin Tough 2000, 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 SLA Resin Tough 2000?

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	SLA Resin Tough 2000
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	1.88x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	35% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	20% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	2.15x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.65x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	44% 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 expands less with temperature?

Plastic Nylon PA6 expands less: 102 µm/m·K against 134 µm/m·K for SLA Resin Tough 2000.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density