Materials / Compare
Plastic Nylon vs. Plastic PEEK
Compare Plastic Nylon vs. Plastic PEEK 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 | 63.1MPasourcetypical | 98MPasourcetypical, tensile yield |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 63.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) | not sourced |
| Compressive strength | not sourced | 125MPasourcetypical, 23 C |
| Flexural strength | 82.9MPasourcetypical | 165MPasourcetypical, flexural stress at yield, 23 C |
| Elongation at break | not sourced | 25%sourcetypical, at break |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 2.33GPasourcetypical | 4GPasourcetypical (nominal) |
| Density | 1,140kg/m³sourcetypical | 1,300kg/m³sourcetypical (crystalline) |
| Strength to weight | 55.4kN·m/kg | 75.4kN·m/kg36% higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 2.04MN·m/kg | 3.08MN·m/kg1.5x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1) | 0.38sourcetypical |
| Shear modulus | 0.833GPa | 1.45GPa1.74x stiffer in shear |
| Bulk modulus | 3.89GPa | 5.56GPa |
| Speed of sound | 1,430m/s | 1,754m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.33W/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) | 0.29W/m·Ksourcetypical, average, 23 C |
| Thermal expansion | 98–102µm/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K, 98) and PA6 (B3S, 102), 23-55 C | 55µm/m·Ksourceaverage of flow/cross-flow, below Tg (<143 C) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 500µm growth | 275µm growth1.82x less |
| Specific heat | 1,700J/kg·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) | 2,200J/kg·Ksourcetypical, 23 °C, DSC (Victrex PEEK 450G TDS, revision Jul 2012) |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 0.17mm²/s1.68x faster | 0.101mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 53.6W/m | 80.1W/m49% more resistant |
| Melting point | 188°Csourcetypical | 343°Csourcetypical, DSC |
| Glass transition | 55.1°Csourcetypical | 143°Csourceonset (midpoint 150 C) |
| Max service temperature | 89.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) | 240°CsourceUL 746B RTI, mechanical strength (continuous use index) |
| 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. | Victrex PEEK 450G (unreinforced, injection moulded), Victrex TDS rev. March 2026; Poisson from Victrex fluid-management flyer (2020-07) |
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 Plastic Nylon stronger than Plastic PEEK?
Plastic PEEK is stronger: its yield strength is 98 MPa against 63.1 MPa for Plastic Nylon (1.55x).
Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon or Plastic PEEK?
Plastic Nylon is lighter: 1,140 kg/m³ against 1,300 kg/m³ for Plastic PEEK.
Which is stiffer, Plastic Nylon or Plastic PEEK?
Plastic PEEK is stiffer: Young's modulus 4 GPa against 2.33 GPa for Plastic Nylon, so the same part in Plastic PEEK deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic Nylon or Plastic PEEK?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PEEK 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 | Plastic PEEK |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 1.5x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 15% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 5% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 36% heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 18% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 9% 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, Plastic Nylon or Plastic PEEK?
Plastic Nylon conducts heat better: 0.33 W/m·K against 0.29 W/m·K for Plastic PEEK.
Which expands less with temperature?
Plastic PEEK expands less: 55 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon.