Plastic Polycarbonate vs. SLS PA12 Nylon

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

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Plastic PolycarbonateBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	65MPasourcetypical, tensile yield	not given (tensile used)
Ultimate tensile strength	65MPasourcetypical, stress at break	48MPasourcetypical
Flexural strength	97MPasourcetypical, flexural strength	not sourced
Elongation at break	125%sourcetypical, strain at break	18%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.4GPasourcetypical45% stiffer	1.65GPasourcetypical
Density	1,200kg/m³sourcetypical	930kg/m³sourcetypical29% lighter
Strength to weight	54.2kN·m/kg5% higher	51.6kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	2MN·m/kg13% higher	1.77MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.38sourcetypical, polycarbonate family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	not sourced
Shear modulus	0.87GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	3.33GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	1,414m/s	1,332m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.2W/m·Ksourcetypical, through-plane, 23 C	not sourced
Thermal expansion	65µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 23-55 C, parallel and normal	not sourced
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	325µm growth	not sourced
Specific heat	1,172J/kg·Ksourcetypical (guide value), Bayer ASTM datasheet for Makrolon 2405, ASTM D 2766	not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	0.142mm²/s	not sourced
Thermal shock resistance	51.7W/m	not sourced
Melting point	not sourced	176°Csourcetypical
Glass transition	144°Csourcetypical, DSC 10 C/min	not sourced
Max service temperature	125°CsourceUL 746B RTI, tensile strength, 1.5 mm	64°CsourceHDT 1.8 MPa, X orientation
Values for	Covestro Makrolon 2405 general-purpose PC (MVR 19), Covestro technical datasheet version 2026-09-28, typical values	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.

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

Questions

Is Plastic Polycarbonate stronger than SLS PA12 Nylon?

Plastic Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 65 MPa against tensile strength 48 MPa for SLS PA12 Nylon (35%).

Which is lighter, Plastic Polycarbonate or SLS PA12 Nylon?

SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 1,200 kg/m³ for Plastic Polycarbonate.

Which is stiffer, Plastic Polycarbonate or SLS PA12 Nylon?

Plastic Polycarbonate is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.4 GPa against 1.65 GPa for SLS PA12 Nylon, so the same part in Plastic Polycarbonate deflects less under the same load.

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

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Polycarbonate 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 Polycarbonate	SLS PA12 Nylon
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	13% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	7% heavier	lighter
Stiff panel or plate	14% heavier	lighter
Strong rod or tie	lighter	5% heavier
Strong beam	5% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	11% 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 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density