Plastic Nylon PA66 vs. FDM Polycarbonate

Compare Plastic Nylon PA66 vs. FDM Polycarbonate strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic Nylon PA66Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser	Open in LessCAD	Open in LessCAD
Yield strength	85MPasourcetypical, dry	53.3MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	not sourced	53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength	not sourced	89.4MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	30%sourcenominal strain at break, dry	9.2%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	3GPasourcetypical, dry	2.39GPasourcetypical
Density	1,130kg/m³sourcetypical	1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange
Strength to weight	75.2kN·m/kg1.68x higher	44.8kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	2.65MN·m/kg32% 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	1.07GPa24% stiffer in shear	0.867GPa
Bulk modulus	5GPa	3.33GPa
Speed of sound	1,629m/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	98µm/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	490µm growth	325µm growth1.51x less
Specific heat	1,700J/kg·Ksourcetypical	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.172mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	57.2W/m35% more resistant	42.5W/m
Melting point	260°CsourceDSC	not sourced
Glass transition	not sourced	108°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	101°CsourceIEC 60216 temperature index, 20000 h	105°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
Values for	BASF Ultramid A3K (PA66, 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 PA66 stronger than FDM Polycarbonate?

Plastic Nylon PA66 is stronger: its yield strength is 85 MPa against 53.3 MPa for FDM Polycarbonate (1.59x).

Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon PA66 or FDM Polycarbonate?

Plastic Nylon PA66 is lighter: 1,130 kg/m³ against 1,190 kg/m³ for FDM Polycarbonate.

Which is stiffer, Plastic Nylon PA66 or FDM Polycarbonate?

Plastic Nylon PA66 is stiffer: Young's modulus 3 GPa against 2.39 GPa for FDM Polycarbonate, so the same part in Plastic Nylon PA66 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic Nylon PA66 or FDM Polycarbonate?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Nylon PA66 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 PA66	FDM Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	32% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	18% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	14% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	1.68x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	44% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	33% 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 PA66 or FDM Polycarbonate?

Plastic Nylon PA66 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 98 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA66.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density