Materials / Compare
Plastic Nylon vs. Plastic PLA
Compare Plastic Nylon vs. Plastic PLA 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 | 63.1MPasourcetypical20% stronger | 52.5MPasourcetypical |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 63.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)20% stronger | 52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) |
| Flexural strength | 82.9MPasourcetypical | 96.8MPasourcetypical17% stronger in bending |
| Elongation at break | not sourced | 7.8%sourcetypical |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 2.33GPasourcetypical | 3.25GPasourcetypical39% stiffer |
| Density | 1,140kg/m³sourcetypical | 1,240kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 55.4kN·m/kg31% higher | 42.3kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 2.04MN·m/kg | 2.62MN·m/kg28% higher |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1) | not sourced |
| Shear modulus | 0.833GPa | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | 3.89GPa | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 1,430m/s | 1,619m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.33W/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) | 0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 98–102µm/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K, 98) and PA6 (B3S, 102), 23-55 C | not sourced |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 500µm growth | not sourced |
| Specific heat | 1,700J/kg·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) | 1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 0.17mm²/s1.95x faster | 0.0874mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 53.6W/m | not sourced |
| Melting point | 188°Csourcetypical | 152°Csourcetypical |
| Glass transition | 55.1°Csourcetypical | 59.1°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | 89.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)1.52x hotter | 58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) |
| 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 PLA, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat) orientation; 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 dated 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 Plastic PLA are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Plastic Nylon stronger than Plastic PLA?
Plastic Nylon is stronger: its yield strength is 63.1 MPa against 52.5 MPa for Plastic PLA (20%).
Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon or Plastic PLA?
Plastic Nylon is lighter: 1,140 kg/m³ against 1,240 kg/m³ for Plastic PLA.
Which is stiffer, Plastic Nylon or Plastic PLA?
Plastic PLA is stiffer: Young's modulus 3.25 GPa against 2.33 GPa for Plastic Nylon, so the same part in Plastic PLA deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic Nylon or Plastic PLA?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Nylon is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Plastic PLA is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate.
| Part that must be | Plastic Nylon | Plastic PLA |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 28% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 9% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 3% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 31% heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 23% heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 19% 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 Plastic PLA?
Plastic Nylon does: 89.2 °C against 58.8 °C for Plastic PLA, both HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens).
Which conducts heat better, Plastic Nylon or Plastic PLA?
Plastic Nylon conducts heat better: 0.33 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.