Plastic Nylon PA6 vs. Solder SAC305

Compare Plastic Nylon PA6 vs. Solder SAC305 strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

Change either side

Plastic Nylon PA6Bulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser	Open in LessCAD	Open in LessCAD
Yield strength	90MPasourcetypical, dry	22MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	not sourced	39.6MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	10%sourcenominal strain at break, dry	49%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	3.5GPasourcetypical, dry	6.9GPasourcetypical, temperature and strain rate not stated
Density	1,130kg/m³sourcetypical6.5x lighter	7,350kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	79.6kN·m/kg26.6x higher	2.99kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	3.1MN·m/kg3.3x higher	0.939MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1)	0.35sourcetypical
Shear modulus	1.25GPa	2.56GPa2.04x stiffer in shear
Bulk modulus	5.83GPa	7.67GPa
Speed of sound	1,760m/s	969m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.33W/m·Ksourcetypical	61W/m·Ksourcetypical, temperature not stated
Thermal expansion	102µm/m·Ksourcelongitudinal, 23-55 °C	21.9µm/m·Ksourcemean, 20-100 °C (MacDermid Alpha)
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	510µm growth	110µm growth4.66x less
Specific heat	1,700J/kg·Ksourcetypical	232J/kg·Ksourcetypical (MacDermid Alpha)
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.172mm²/s	35.8mm²/s208x faster
Thermal shock resistance	49.9W/m	5,773W/m116x more resistant
Melting point	220°CsourceDSC	217–220°Csourcesolidus-liquidus
Max service temperature	87°CsourceIEC 60216 temperature index, 20000 h	not sourced
Values for	BASF Ultramid B3S (PA6, unreinforced injection-moulding grade), Product Information 02/2026, dry values (ISO methods)	SAC305 (Sn96.5Ag3.0Cu0.5) solder alloy, bulk; Indium Corporation Indalloy 256 (SAC305) for Preforms product data sheet (Form No. 100346 R0, 2024), selected properties, test temperature not stated; expansion and specific heat from MacDermid Alpha VACULOY SAC TDS (06 September 2023).

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 Solder SAC305?

Plastic Nylon PA6 is stronger: its yield strength is 90 MPa against 22 MPa for Solder SAC305 (4.09x).

Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon PA6 or Solder SAC305?

Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter: 1,130 kg/m³ against 7,350 kg/m³ for Solder SAC305.

Which is stiffer, Plastic Nylon PA6 or Solder SAC305?

Solder SAC305 is stiffer: Young's modulus 6.9 GPa against 3.5 GPa for Plastic Nylon PA6, so the same part in Solder SAC305 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic Nylon PA6 or Solder SAC305?

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	Solder SAC305
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	3.3x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	4.63x heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	5.19x heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	26.6x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	16.6x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	13.2x 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 Solder SAC305?

Solder SAC305 conducts heat better: 61 W/m·K against 0.33 W/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA6.

Which expands less with temperature?

Solder SAC305 expands less: 21.9 µm/m·K against 102 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA6.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density