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
Sources3 documents: LyondellBasell, EOS GmbH, INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA
Plastic HDPE
LyondellBasell Hostalen 23050 B high density polyethylene, typical ISO values
SLS PA12 Nylon
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.
1
Hostalen 23050 B Product DataLyondellBasellPlastic HDPE · Yield strength: typical, tensile stress at yield 23 °C, 50 mm/min ISO 527Plastic HDPE · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical, tensile modulus 23 °C ISO 527Plastic HDPE · Density: typical, ISO 1183
2
PA 2200 Balance Material Data SheetEOS GmbHSLS PA12 Nylon · Ultimate tensile strength: typicalSLS PA12 Nylon · Elongation at break: typicalSLS PA12 Nylon · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalSLS PA12 Nylon · Density: typicalSLS PA12 Nylon · Melting point: typicalSLS PA12 Nylon · Max service temperature: HDT 1.8 MPa, X orientation
3
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)
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.
SLS PA12 Nylon is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Plastic HDPE stronger than SLS PA12 Nylon?
SLS PA12 Nylon is stronger: its tensile strength is 48 MPa against yield strength 24 MPa for Plastic HDPE (2x).
Which is lighter, Plastic HDPE or SLS PA12 Nylon?
SLS PA12 Nylon is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 950 kg/m³ for Plastic HDPE.
Which is stiffer, Plastic HDPE or SLS PA12 Nylon?
SLS PA12 Nylon is stiffer: Young's modulus 1.65 GPa against 0.9 GPa for Plastic HDPE, so the same part in SLS PA12 Nylon deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic HDPE or SLS PA12 Nylon?
For the same stiffness or strength: SLS PA12 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
SLS PA12 Nylon
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
1.87x heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
38% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
25% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
2.04x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
1.62x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
44% 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).