Materials / Compare
Plastic Nylon vs. Plastic UHMWPE
Compare Plastic Nylon vs. Plastic UHMWPE 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 | 20MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527, 50 mm/min |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 63.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) | 43MPasourcetypical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/min |
| Flexural strength | 82.9MPasourcetypical | not sourced |
| Elongation at break | not sourced | 465%sourcetypical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527 |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 2.33GPasourcetypical | 0.66GPasourcetypical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/min |
| Density | 1,140kg/m³sourcetypical | 930kg/m³sourcetypical23% lighter |
| Strength to weight | 55.4kN·m/kg2.57x higher | 21.5kN·m/kg |
| Stiffness to weight | 2.04MN·m/kg2.88x higher | 0.71MN·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 | 0.833GPa | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | 3.89GPa | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 1,430m/s | 842m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.33W/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both) | 0.4W/m·Ksourcetypical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE) |
| Thermal expansion | 98–102µm/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K, 98) and PA6 (B3S, 102), 23-55 C | 200µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE) |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 500µm growth2x less | 1,000µm growth |
| 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/m | not sourced |
| Melting point | 188°Csourcetypical | 130–138°CsourceDSC 10 K/min |
| Glass transition | 55.1°Csourcetypical | not sourced |
| Max service temperature | 89.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) | 80°Csourcerecommended max constant operating temperature |
| 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. | Celanese GUR 4120 (avg. molecular weight 4.7x10^6 g/mol), typical values on compression-molded specimens; CTE and thermal conductivity from Celanese's generic UHMWPE guide (grade not named) |
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 UHMWPE?
Plastic Nylon is stronger: its yield strength is 63.1 MPa against 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (3.16x).
Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 1,140 kg/m³ for Plastic Nylon.
Which is stiffer, Plastic Nylon or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic Nylon is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.33 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, so the same part in Plastic Nylon deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic Nylon or Plastic UHMWPE?
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 | Plastic UHMWPE |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 2.88x heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 1.53x heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 24% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | lighter | 2.57x heavier |
| Strong beam | lighter | 1.75x heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 45% 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 or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE conducts heat better: 0.4 W/m·K against 0.33 W/m·K for Plastic Nylon.
Which expands less with temperature?
Plastic Nylon expands less: 100 µm/m·K against 200 µm/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.