Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser
Engineering Polymers Part and Mold Design: Thermoplastics, A Design GuideCovestroarchived copyPlastic ABS · Poisson's ratio: base material: ABS family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
4
Engineering Polymers Part and Mold Design: Thermoplastics, A Design GuideCovestroPlastic Nylon · Poisson's ratio: base material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1)
5
Terluran GP-22 (ABS) Product Data SheetINEOS StyrolutionPlastic ABS · Thermal conductivity: base material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, typicalPlastic ABS · Thermal expansion: base material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, range
6
Ultramid (PA) Product RangeBASFPlastic Nylon · Thermal conductivity: base material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both)Plastic Nylon · Thermal expansion: base material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K, 98) and PA6 (B3S, 102), 23-55 CPlastic Nylon · Specific heat: base material: unreinforced BASF Ultramid PA66 (A3K) and PA6 (B3S), 23 C (same value for both)
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Plastic ABS and Plastic Nylon are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Plastic ABS stronger than Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon is stronger: its yield strength is 63.1 MPa against 38.1 MPa for Plastic ABS (1.66x).
Which is lighter, Plastic ABS or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic ABS is lighter: 1,100 kg/m³ against 1,140 kg/m³ for Plastic Nylon.
Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.33 GPa against 1.96 GPa for Plastic ABS, so the same part in Plastic Nylon deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS or Plastic Nylon?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Nylon is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Plastic ABS
Plastic Nylon
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
15% heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
5% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
2% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
1.6x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
35% heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
24% 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).
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Plastic ABS or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon conducts heat better: 0.33 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS.
Which expands less with temperature?
Plastic ABS expands less: 95 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon.