Plastic Nylon vs. Rubber

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

Change either side

RubberBulk 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	63.1MPasourcetypical	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	63.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)	23MPasourcetypical
Flexural strength	82.9MPasourcetypical	not sourced
Elongation at break	not sourced	830%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.33GPasourcetypical	not sourced
Density	1,140kg/m³sourcetypical	960kg/m³sourcetypical (specific gravity)
Strength to weight	55.4kN·m/kg2.31x higher	24kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	2.04MN·m/kg	not sourced
Poisson's ratio	0.4sourcebase material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1)	0.5sourcegovernment (NBS J. Res. 68A, 1964): computed by NBS for peroxide-cured gum NR vulcanizate, 25 °C, infinitesimal deformation0.49 in the solver: the linear element locks as the ratio nears 0.5 (nearly incompressible).
Shear modulus	0.833GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	3.89GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	1,430m/s	not sourced
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.33W/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both)	0.151W/m·Ksourcegovernment selected value (US Army Natick Laboratories TR 66-49-PR, 1966), soft vulcanized natural rubber, 25 °C
Thermal expansion	98–102µm/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K, 98) and PA6 (B3S, 102), 23-55 C	not sourced
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	500µm growth	not sourced
Specific heat	1,700J/kg·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both)	1,881J/kg·Ksourcegovernment (NBS J. Res. 68A, Table 7; values observed for unvulcanized NR by Bekkedahl and Matheson), 25 °C
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.17mm²/s2.04x faster	0.0836mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	53.6W/m	not sourced
Melting point	188°Csourcetypical	not sourced
Glass transition	55.1°Csourcetypical	not sourced
Max service temperature	89.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	70°Csourcecontinuous use operating range
Values for	Ultimaker Nylon, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat), conditioned >=24 h at room temperature; 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 v2.00, April 20, 2022.	Weir Minerals Linatex Premium rubber (95 % natural rubber), typical physical properties, spec sheet WMD0118/202305

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 Nylon is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Plastic Nylon stronger than Rubber?

Plastic Nylon is stronger: its yield strength is 63.1 MPa against tensile strength 23 MPa for Rubber (2.74x).

Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon or Rubber?

Rubber is lighter: 960 kg/m³ against 1,140 kg/m³ for Plastic Nylon.

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

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

Part that must be	Plastic Nylon	Rubber
Strong rod or tie	lighter	2.31x heavier
Strong beam	lighter	1.65x heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	39% 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 or Rubber?

Plastic Nylon conducts heat better: 0.33 W/m·K against 0.151 W/m·K for Rubber.

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density