SLS PA12 Nylon vs. Stainless 17-4PH

Compare SLS PA12 Nylon vs. Stainless 17-4PH strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	not given (tensile used)	1,275MPasourcetypical, transverse, sheet/strip
Ultimate tensile strength	48MPasourcetypical	1,379MPasourcetypical, transverse, sheet/strip
Elongation at break	18%sourcetypical	9%sourcetypical, transverse, in 2 in. (50.8 mm)
Young's modulus (stiffness)	1.65GPasourcetypical	197GPasourceH 900
Density	930kg/m³sourcetypical	7,800kg/m³sourceH 900
Strength to weight	51.6kN·m/kg	163kN·m/kg3.17x higher
Stiffness to weight	1.77MN·m/kg	25.3MN·m/kg14.2x higher
Poisson's ratio	not sourced	0.272sourceH 900 (column)
Shear modulus	not sourced	77.4GPa
Bulk modulus	not sourced	144GPa
Speed of sound	1,332m/s	5,026m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	not sourced	17.9W/m·Ksourceat 149 °C (300 °F), H 900
Thermal expansion	not sourced	10.8µm/m·Ksourcemean, 21–93 °C (70–200 °F), H 900
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	not sourced	54µm growth
Specific heat	not sourced	460J/kg·Ksourcemean, 0–100 °C, H 900
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	4.99mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	not sourced	7,809W/m
Melting point	176°Csourcetypical	not sourced
Max service temperature	64°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa, X orientation	316°Csourcestrength-retention limit (not oxidation)
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.	Cleveland-Cliffs 17-4 PH, Condition H 900, sheet/strip, transverse (Product Data Bulletin, May 2021)

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 Stainless 17-4PH?

Stainless 17-4PH is stronger: its yield strength is 1,275 MPa against tensile strength 48 MPa for SLS PA12 Nylon (26.6x).

Which is lighter, SLS PA12 Nylon or Stainless 17-4PH?

SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 7,800 kg/m³ for Stainless 17-4PH.

Which is stiffer, SLS PA12 Nylon or Stainless 17-4PH?

Stainless 17-4PH is stiffer: Young's modulus 197 GPa against 1.65 GPa for SLS PA12 Nylon, so the same part in Stainless 17-4PH deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, SLS PA12 Nylon or Stainless 17-4PH?

For the same stiffness or strength: SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong panel or plate; Stainless 17-4PH is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), strong rod or tie, strong beam.

Part that must be	SLS PA12 Nylon	Stainless 17-4PH
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	14.2x heavier	lighter
Stiff beam (bending)	30% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	1.7x heavier
Strong rod or tie	3.17x heavier	lighter
Strong beam	6% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	lighter	1.63x 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