BASF Ultramid B3S (PA6, unreinforced injection-moulding grade), Product Information 02/2026, dry values (ISO methods)
Generic structural steel, cited as ASTM A992 (the current US structural grade): ASTM A992 W-shapes; Fy/Fu specified minimums from AISC publications (AISC 360-16 Commentary; Modern Steel Construction); elastic constants AISC 360; physical constants from the bauforumstahl structural-steel EPD, which names A992 among covered product standards.
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 Steel?
Steel is stronger: its yield strength is 385 MPa against 90 MPa for Plastic Nylon PA6 (4.28x).
Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon PA6 or Steel?
Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter: 1,130 kg/m³ against 7,850 kg/m³ for Steel.
Which is stiffer, Plastic Nylon PA6 or Steel?
Steel is stiffer: Young's modulus 200 GPa against 3.5 GPa for Plastic Nylon PA6, so the same part in Steel deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic Nylon PA6 or Steel?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Nylon PA6 is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Steel is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending).
Part that must be
Plastic Nylon PA6
Steel
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
8.23x heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
9% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
1.8x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
1.62x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
2.64x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
3.36x 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 Steel?
Steel conducts heat better: 48 W/m·K against 0.33 W/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA6.
Which expands less with temperature?
Steel expands less: 12 µm/m·K against 102 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA6.