SLS PA12 Nylon vs. Plastic Polycarbonate

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

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Plastic PolycarbonateBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	65MPasourcetypical, tensile yield
Ultimate tensile strength	48MPasourcetypical	65MPasourcetypical, stress at break
Flexural strength	not sourced	97MPasourcetypical, flexural strength
Elongation at break	18%sourcetypical	125%sourcetypical, strain at break
Young's modulus (stiffness)	1.65GPasourcetypical	2.4GPasourcetypical45% stiffer
Density	930kg/m³sourcetypical29% lighter	1,200kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	51.6kN·m/kg	54.2kN·m/kg5% higher
Stiffness to weight	1.77MN·m/kg	2MN·m/kg13% higher
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.38sourcetypical, polycarbonate family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	not sourced	0.87GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	3.33GPa
Speed of sound	1,332m/s	1,414m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	not sourced	0.2W/m·Ksourcetypical, through-plane, 23 C
Thermal expansion	not sourced	65µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 23-55 C, parallel and normal
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	not sourced	325µm growth
Specific heat	not sourced	1,172J/kg·Ksourcetypical (guide value), Bayer ASTM datasheet for Makrolon 2405, ASTM D 2766
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	0.142mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	51.7W/m
Melting point	176°Csourcetypical	not sourced
Glass transition	not sourced	144°Csourcetypical, DSC 10 C/min
Max service temperature	64°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa, X orientation	125°CsourceUL 746B RTI, tensile strength, 1.5 mm
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.	Covestro Makrolon 2405 general-purpose PC (MVR 19), Covestro technical datasheet version 2026-09-28, typical values

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 is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is SLS PA12 Nylon stronger than Plastic Polycarbonate?

Plastic Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 65 MPa against tensile strength 48 MPa for SLS PA12 Nylon (35%).

Which is lighter, SLS PA12 Nylon or Plastic Polycarbonate?

SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 1,200 kg/m³ for Plastic Polycarbonate.

Which is stiffer, SLS PA12 Nylon or Plastic Polycarbonate?

Plastic Polycarbonate is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.4 GPa against 1.65 GPa for SLS PA12 Nylon, so the same part in Plastic Polycarbonate deflects less under the same load.

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

For the same stiffness or strength: SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Plastic Polycarbonate is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), strong rod or tie.

Part that must be	SLS PA12 Nylon	Plastic Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	13% heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	7% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	14% heavier
Strong rod or tie	5% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	lighter	5% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	11% 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).

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density