Materials / Compare

Plastic Nylon PA66 vs. Plastic Polypropylene

Compare Plastic Nylon PA66 vs. Plastic Polypropylene strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

Plastic Nylon PA66Bulk polymer (molded or machined)
Plastic PolypropyleneBulk polymer (molded or machined)
MechanicalPlastic Nylon PA66Plastic Polypropylene
Yield strength85MPa12.58x stronger33MPa2
Ultimate tensile strengthnot stated (yield given)not stated (yield given)
Elongation at break30%1not sourced
Young's modulus (stiffness)3GPa12.07x stiffer1.45GPa2
Density1,130kg/m³1900kg/m³226% lighter
Strength to weight75.2kN·m/kg2.05x higher36.7kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight2.65MN·m/kg1.65x higher1.61MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratiobase material0.43base material0.424
Shear modulus1.07GPa2.1x stiffer in shear0.511GPa
Bulk modulus5GPa1.66x higher3.02GPa
Speed of sound1,629m/s28% faster1,269m/s
1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Young's modulus (GPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic PEEKPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardSLA Resin Tough 2000SLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcretePCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic Polypropylene
Stiffness against densityHigher and further left: stiffer for its weight
1k10k101001kDensity (kg/m³)Yield strength (MPa)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic TPUPlastic NylonRubberWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM PAHT-CFFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardSLA Resin Tough 2000SLA Resin Elastic 50ASLS PA12 NylonDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Aluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic Polypropylene
Strength against densityHigher and further left: stronger for its weight
ThermalPlastic Nylon PA66Plastic Polypropylene
Thermal conductivity0.33W/m·K1base material0.17–0.22W/m·K4
Thermal expansionlongitudinal98µm/m·K1base material80–100µm/m·K4
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing490µm growth450µm growth9% less
Specific heat1,700J/kg·K1not sourced
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)0.172mm²/snot sourced
Thermal shock resistance57.2W/m2x more resistant28.6W/m
Melting pointDSC260°C1not sourced
Max service temperature101°C1HDT 0.45 MPa90°C2
1k10k0.1110100Density (kg/m³)Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)Plastic PLAPlastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic NylonRubberWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcreteBrickPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic Polypropylene
Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weight
0.111010010100Thermal conductivity (W/m·K)Thermal expansion (µm/m·K)Plastic PETGPlastic ABSPlastic NylonWoodAluminumSteelIronTitaniumSteel AISI 1018Stainless Steel 304Stainless Steel 316Aluminum 6061-T6Aluminum 7075-T6Brass C360Copper C110Copper C10100Copper C12200GlassSteel AISI 1045Steel AISI 4340Steel A992Stainless Steel 303Stainless Steel 17-4PHAluminum 2024-T351Aluminum 5052-H32Aluminum 7050-T7451Titanium Ti-6Al-4VBrass C260Nickel Inconel 718Magnesium AZ31B-H24Zinc Zamak 3Plastic ABS (bulk/injection)Plastic PolycarbonatePlastic POM/AcetalPlastic Nylon PA6Plastic PEEKPlastic PTFEPlastic UHMWPEPlastic HDPEPlastic PMMAFDM ASAFDM PolycarbonateFDM HIPSSLA Resin StandardDMLS AlSi10Mg AluminumDMLS Ti-6Al-4V ELI TitaniumDMLS 316L Stainless SteelDMLS 17-4PH Stainless SteelConcreteBrickPlywoodPCB Laminate FR-4SiliconCeramic Alumina 96%Ceramic Aluminum NitrideAluminum A380Aluminum 6063-T6Aluminum 1100-OAluminum 3003-OAluminum ADC12Magnesium AZ91DSolder SAC305Plastic PBT GF30Plastic PPS GF40Plastic LCP GF30Plastic Nylon PA66Plastic Polypropylene
Thermal 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 browserOpen in LessCADOpen in LessCAD
Sources4 documents: BASF, LyondellBasell, Covestro, INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA
Plastic Nylon PA66
BASF Ultramid A3K (PA66, unreinforced injection-moulding grade), Product Information 02/2026, dry values (ISO methods)
Plastic Polypropylene
LyondellBasell Moplen HP501H polypropylene homopolymer (general purpose), typical ISO values
  1. 1
    Ultramid A3K Product InformationBASFPlastic Nylon PA66 · Yield strength: typical, dryPlastic Nylon PA66 · Elongation at break: nominal strain at break, dryPlastic Nylon PA66 · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical, dryPlastic Nylon PA66 · Density: typicalPlastic Nylon PA66 · Thermal conductivity: typicalPlastic Nylon PA66 · Thermal expansion: longitudinal, 23-55 °CPlastic Nylon PA66 · Specific heat: typicalPlastic Nylon PA66 · Melting point: DSCPlastic Nylon PA66 · Max service temperature: IEC 60216 temperature index, 20000 h
  2. 2
    Moplen HP501H Product DataLyondellBasellPlastic Polypropylene · Yield strength: typical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527Plastic Polypropylene · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical, tensile modulus ISO 527Plastic Polypropylene · Density: typical, 23 °C ISO 1183-1Plastic Polypropylene · Max service temperature: HDT 0.45 MPa (ISO 75B), unannealed
  3. 3
    Engineering Polymers Part and Mold Design: Thermoplastics, A Design GuideCovestroPlastic Nylon PA66 · Poisson's ratio: base material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1)
  4. 4
    Typical Engineering Properties of PolypropyleneINEOS Olefins & Polymers USAarchived copyPlastic Polypropylene · Poisson's ratio: base material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene)Plastic Polypropylene · Thermal conductivity: base material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene)Plastic Polypropylene · Thermal expansion: base material: polypropylene homopolymer family (INEOS Olefins & Polymers USA, Typical Engineering Properties of Polypropylene)

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.

Questions

Mechanical

Is Plastic Nylon PA66 stronger than Plastic Polypropylene?

Plastic Nylon PA66 is stronger: its yield strength is 85 MPa against 33 MPa for Plastic Polypropylene (2.58x).

Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon PA66 or Plastic Polypropylene?

Plastic Polypropylene is lighter: 900 kg/m³ against 1,130 kg/m³ for Plastic Nylon PA66.

Which is stiffer, Plastic Nylon PA66 or Plastic Polypropylene?

Plastic Nylon PA66 is stiffer: Young's modulus 3 GPa against 1.45 GPa for Plastic Polypropylene, so the same part in Plastic Nylon PA66 deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic Nylon PA66 or Plastic Polypropylene?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Nylon PA66 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 bePlastic Nylon PA66Plastic Polypropylene
Stiff rod or tie (tension)lighter1.65x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)lighter15% heavier
Stiff panel or platelighter1% heavier
Strong rod or tielighter2.05x heavier
Strong beamlighter50% heavier
Strong panel or platelighter28% 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).

Thermal

Which conducts heat better, Plastic Nylon PA66 or Plastic Polypropylene?

Plastic Nylon PA66 conducts heat better: 0.33 W/m·K against 0.195 W/m·K for Plastic Polypropylene.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic Polypropylene expands less: 90 µm/m·K against 98 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA66.

Related comparisons