Plastic Nylon PA6 vs. Plastic PLA

Compare Plastic Nylon PA6 vs. Plastic PLA strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic Nylon PA6Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	90MPasourcetypical, dry	52.5MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	not sourced	52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength	not sourced	96.8MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	10%sourcenominal strain at break, dry	7.8%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	3.5GPasourcetypical, dry	3.25GPasourcetypical
Density	1,130kg/m³sourcetypical	1,240kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	79.6kN·m/kg1.88x higher	42.3kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	3.1MN·m/kg18% higher	2.62MN·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	1.25GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	5.83GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	1,760m/s	1,619m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.33W/m·Ksourcetypical	0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C
Thermal expansion	102µm/m·Ksourcelongitudinal, 23-55 °C	not sourced
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	510µm growth	not sourced
Specific heat	1,700J/kg·Ksourcetypical	1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.172mm²/s1.97x faster	0.0874mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	49.9W/m	not sourced
Melting point	220°CsourceDSC	152°Csourcetypical
Glass transition	not sourced	59.1°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	87°CsourceIEC 60216 temperature index, 20000 h	58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
Values for	BASF Ultramid B3S (PA6, unreinforced injection-moulding grade), Product Information 02/2026, dry values (ISO methods)	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 PLA is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Plastic Nylon PA6 stronger than Plastic PLA?

Plastic Nylon PA6 is stronger: its yield strength is 90 MPa against 52.5 MPa for Plastic PLA (1.71x).

Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon PA6 or Plastic PLA?

Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter: 1,130 kg/m³ against 1,240 kg/m³ for Plastic PLA.

Which is stiffer, Plastic Nylon PA6 or Plastic PLA?

Plastic Nylon PA6 is stiffer: Young's modulus 3.5 GPa against 3.25 GPa for Plastic PLA, so the same part in Plastic Nylon PA6 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic Nylon PA6 or Plastic PLA?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Nylon PA6 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 PA6	Plastic PLA
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	18% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	14% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	12% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	1.88x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.57x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	44% 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 PA6 or Plastic PLA?

Plastic Nylon PA6 conducts heat better: 0.33 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density