Plastic Nylon PA6 vs. Plastic PTFE

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

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Plastic Nylon PA6Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Plastic PTFEBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	90MPasourcetypical, dry	9MPasourcetypical yield strength at 23 °C (Teflon PTFE, Table 8)
Ultimate tensile strength	not sourced	39.3MPasourcetypical, skived tape 0.13 mm
Elongation at break	10%sourcenominal strain at break, dry	350%sourcetypical, skived tape 0.13 mm
Young's modulus (stiffness)	3.5GPasourcetypical, dry	not sourced
Density	1,130kg/m³sourcetypical	2,160kg/m³sourcetypical (standard specific gravity, ASTM D4894)
Strength to weight	79.6kN·m/kg19.1x higher	4.17kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	3.1MN·m/kg	not sourced
Poisson's ratio	0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1)	0.46sourcetypical, 23 °C (Teflon PTFE resins, Chemours handbook)
Shear modulus	1.25GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	5.83GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	1,760m/s	not sourced
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.33W/m·Ksourcetypical	0.25W/m·Ksourcetypical, granular resin, 4.6 mm specimen
Thermal expansion	102µm/m·Ksourcelongitudinal, 23-55 °C	100µm/m·Ksourcetypical, granular resin, 23-60 °C (ASTM E228)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	510µm growth	500µm growth2% less
Specific heat	1,700J/kg·Ksourcetypical	1,400J/kg·Ksourcetypical, granular resin, 20 °C (ASTM D4591)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.172mm²/s2.08x faster	0.0827mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	49.9W/m	not sourced
Melting point	220°CsourceDSC	327°Csourcesecond melting peak (sintered polymer), +/-10
Max service temperature	87°CsourceIEC 60216 temperature index, 20000 h	260°Csourceservice temperature (Chemours general Teflon PTFE statement)
Values for	BASF Ultramid B3S (PA6, unreinforced injection-moulding grade), Product Information 02/2026, dry values (ISO methods)	Chemours Teflon PTFE 7C X granular molding resin, typical values (tensile/elongation measured on 0.13 mm skived tape)

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.

Questions

Is Plastic Nylon PA6 stronger than Plastic PTFE?

Plastic Nylon PA6 is stronger: its yield strength is 90 MPa against 9 MPa for Plastic PTFE (10x).

Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon PA6 or Plastic PTFE?

Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter: 1,130 kg/m³ against 2,160 kg/m³ for Plastic PTFE.

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

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Plastic Nylon PA6	Plastic PTFE
Strong rod or tie	lighter	19.1x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	8.87x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	6.04x 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 PTFE?

Plastic Nylon PA6 conducts heat better: 0.33 W/m·K against 0.25 W/m·K for Plastic PTFE.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic PTFE expands less: 100 µm/m·K against 102 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA6.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density