Plastic Nylon vs. SLS PA12 Nylon

Compare Plastic Nylon vs. SLS PA12 Nylon strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
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Yield strength	63.1MPasourcetypical	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	63.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)	48MPasourcetypical
Flexural strength	82.9MPasourcetypical	not sourced
Elongation at break	not sourced	18%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.33GPasourcetypical41% stiffer	1.65GPasourcetypical
Density	1,140kg/m³sourcetypical	930kg/m³sourcetypical23% lighter
Strength to weight	55.4kN·m/kg7% higher	51.6kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	2.04MN·m/kg15% higher	1.77MN·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	0.833GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	3.89GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	1,430m/s	1,332m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.33W/m·Ksourcebase material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both)	not sourced
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)	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.17mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	53.6W/m	not sourced
Melting point	188°Csourcetypical	176°Csourcetypical
Glass transition	55.1°Csourcetypical	not sourced
Max service temperature	89.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	64°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa, X orientation
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.	EOS PA 2200 (PA12) Material Data Sheet, process parameter 'Balance' at 120 µm layer thickness, X orientation, dry (conditioned values not given). Live MDS status 04.10.2026, last changed 10.09.2026; PDF via ?topdf=... link on the same page.

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 and SLS PA12 Nylon are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is Plastic Nylon stronger than SLS PA12 Nylon?

Plastic Nylon is stronger: its yield strength is 63.1 MPa against tensile strength 48 MPa for SLS PA12 Nylon (31%).

Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon or SLS PA12 Nylon?

SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 1,140 kg/m³ for Plastic Nylon.

Which is stiffer, Plastic Nylon or SLS PA12 Nylon?

Plastic Nylon is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.33 GPa against 1.65 GPa for SLS PA12 Nylon, so the same part in Plastic Nylon deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic Nylon or SLS PA12 Nylon?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Nylon is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), strong rod or tie; SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter for a stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	Plastic Nylon	SLS PA12 Nylon
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	15% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	3% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	9% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	7% heavier
Strong beam	2% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	7% heavier	lighter

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).

Among 72 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density