Plastic Nylon vs. FDM Polycarbonate

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

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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	63.1MPasourcetypical18% stronger	53.3MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	63.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)18% stronger	53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength	82.9MPasourcetypical	89.4MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	not sourced	9.2%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.33GPasourcetypical	2.39GPasourcetypical
Density	1,140kg/m³sourcetypical	1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange
Strength to weight	55.4kN·m/kg24% higher	44.8kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	2.04MN·m/kg2% 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	0.833GPa	0.867GPa4% stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	3.89GPa	3.33GPa
Speed of sound	1,430m/s	1,418m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.33W/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both)	0.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °C
Thermal expansion	98–102µm/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K, 98) and PA6 (B3S, 102), 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	500µm growth	325µm growth1.54x less
Specific heat	1,700J/kg·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both)	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.17mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	53.6W/m26% more resistant	42.5W/m
Melting point	188°Csourcetypical	not sourced
Glass transition	55.1°Csourcetypical	108°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	89.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	105°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)17% hotter
Values for	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.	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.

Plastic Nylon and FDM Polycarbonate are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Plastic Nylon stronger than FDM Polycarbonate?

Plastic Nylon is stronger: its yield strength is 63.1 MPa against 53.3 MPa for FDM Polycarbonate (18%).

Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon or FDM Polycarbonate?

Plastic Nylon is lighter: 1,140 kg/m³ against 1,190 kg/m³ for FDM Polycarbonate.

Which is stiffer, Plastic Nylon or FDM Polycarbonate?

FDM Polycarbonate is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.39 GPa against 2.33 GPa for Plastic Nylon, so the same part in FDM Polycarbonate deflects less under the same load.

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

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 Nylon	FDM Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	2% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	3% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	3% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	24% heavier
Strong beam	lighter	17% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	14% 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 handles higher temperatures, Plastic Nylon or FDM Polycarbonate?

FDM Polycarbonate does: 105 °C against 89.2 °C for Plastic Nylon, both HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens).

Which conducts heat better, Plastic Nylon or FDM Polycarbonate?

Plastic Nylon 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 100 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density