Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Typical Engineering Properties of High Density PolyethyleneINEOS Olefins & Polymers USAarchived copyPlastic HDPE · Poisson's ratio: base material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)Plastic HDPE · Thermal conductivity: base material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)Plastic HDPE · Thermal expansion: base material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)Plastic HDPE · Specific heat: base material: high-density polyethylene family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of HDPE)
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
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 Nylon is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Plastic HDPE stronger than Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon is stronger: its yield strength is 63.1 MPa against 24 MPa for Plastic HDPE (2.63x).
Which is lighter, Plastic HDPE or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic HDPE is lighter: 950 kg/m³ against 1,140 kg/m³ for Plastic Nylon.
Which is stiffer, Plastic HDPE or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic Nylon is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.33 GPa against 0.9 GPa for Plastic HDPE, so the same part in Plastic Nylon deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic HDPE 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 HDPE
Plastic Nylon
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
2.16x heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
34% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
14% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
2.19x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
1.59x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
35% 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 HDPE or Plastic Nylon?
Plastic HDPE conducts heat better: 0.445 W/m·K against 0.33 W/m·K for Plastic Nylon.
Which expands less with temperature?
Plastic Nylon expands less: 100 µm/m·K against 120 µm/m·K for Plastic HDPE.