SLS PA12 Nylon vs. Plastic PETG

Compare SLS PA12 Nylon vs. Plastic PETG strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	46.2MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	48MPasourcetypical	46.2MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength	not sourced	78.9MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	18%sourcetypical2.37x more ductile	7.6%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	1.65GPasourcetypical	1.94GPasourcetypical18% stiffer
Density	930kg/m³sourcetypical37% lighter	1,270kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	51.6kN·m/kg42% higher	36.4kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	1.77MN·m/kg16% higher	1.53MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	not sourced
Shear modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Bulk modulus	not sourced	not sourced
Speed of sound	1,332m/s	1,236m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	not sourced	0.21W/m·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typical
Thermal expansion	not sourced	51µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typical
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	not sourced	255µm growth
Specific heat	not sourced	1,300J/kg·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), DSC at 60 °C (lowest temperature listed)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	0.127mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	not sourced
Melting point	176°Csourcetypical	not sourced
Glass transition	not sourced	77.4°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	64°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa, X orientation	76.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
Values for	EOS PA 2200 (PA12) Material Data Sheet, process parameter 'Balance' at 120 µm layer thickness, X orientation, dry (conditioned values not given). Live MDS status 04.10.2026, last changed 10.09.2026; PDF via ?topdf=... link on the same page.	Ultimaker PETG, 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 v1.00, April 29, 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.

SLS PA12 Nylon and Plastic PETG are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is SLS PA12 Nylon stronger than Plastic PETG?

SLS PA12 Nylon is stronger: its tensile strength is 48 MPa against yield strength 46.2 MPa for Plastic PETG (4%).

Which is lighter, SLS PA12 Nylon or Plastic PETG?

SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 1,270 kg/m³ for Plastic PETG.

Which is stiffer, SLS PA12 Nylon or Plastic PETG?

Plastic PETG is stiffer: Young's modulus 1.94 GPa against 1.65 GPa for SLS PA12 Nylon, so the same part in Plastic PETG deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, SLS PA12 Nylon or Plastic PETG?

For the same stiffness or strength: SLS PA12 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	SLS PA12 Nylon	Plastic PETG
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	16% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	26% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	29% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	42% heavier
Strong beam	lighter	40% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	39% 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 is more ductile, SLS PA12 Nylon or Plastic PETG?

SLS PA12 Nylon stretches further before it breaks: 18% elongation at break against 7.6% for Plastic PETG.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density