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.
Zamak 3 (ASTM B86 die cast), Nathan Trotter (zinc alloy producer) technical data sheet, typical values
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 SLS PA12 Nylon stronger than Zinc Zamak 3?
Zinc Zamak 3 is stronger: its yield strength is 221 MPa against tensile strength 48 MPa for SLS PA12 Nylon (4.6x).
Which is lighter, SLS PA12 Nylon or Zinc Zamak 3?
SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 6,600 kg/m³ for Zinc Zamak 3.
Which is stiffer, SLS PA12 Nylon or Zinc Zamak 3?
Zinc Zamak 3 is stiffer: Young's modulus 85.5 GPa against 1.65 GPa for SLS PA12 Nylon, so the same part in Zinc Zamak 3 deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, SLS PA12 Nylon or Zinc Zamak 3?
For the same stiffness or strength: SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter for a stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Zinc Zamak 3 is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending).
Part that must be
SLS PA12 Nylon
Zinc Zamak 3
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
7.3x heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
1% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
1.9x heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
1.54x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
2.56x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
3.31x 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).