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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BASF Ultramid A3K (PA66, unreinforced injection-moulding grade), Product Information 02/2026, dry values (ISO methods)
Plastic UHMWPE
Celanese GUR 4120 (avg. molecular weight 4.7x10^6 g/mol), typical values on compression-molded specimens; CTE and thermal conductivity from Celanese's generic UHMWPE guide (grade not named)
GUR UHMW-PE Overview (GUR-015)CelanesePlastic UHMWPE · Yield strength: typical, tensile stress at yield ISO 527, 50 mm/minPlastic UHMWPE · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, tensile stress at break ISO 527, 50 mm/minPlastic UHMWPE · Elongation at break: typical, nominal elongation at break ISO 527Plastic UHMWPE · Young's modulus (stiffness): typical, tensile modulus ISO 527, 1 mm/minPlastic UHMWPE · Density: typicalPlastic UHMWPE · Melting point: DSC 10 K/minPlastic UHMWPE · Max service temperature: recommended max constant operating temperature
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
GUR UHMW-PE Polymer Guide (GUR-003)Celanesearchived copyPlastic UHMWPE · Thermal conductivity: typical, unfilled (narrative value, generic Celanese UHMWPE)Plastic UHMWPE · Thermal expansion: typical, 20 to 100 °C (generic Celanese UHMWPE)
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 UHMWPE?
Plastic Nylon PA66 is stronger: its yield strength is 85 MPa against 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (4.25x).
Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon PA66 or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 1,130 kg/m³ for Plastic Nylon PA66.
Which is stiffer, Plastic Nylon PA66 or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic Nylon PA66 is stiffer: Young's modulus 3 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, 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 UHMWPE?
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 be
Plastic Nylon PA66
Plastic UHMWPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
3.74x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
1.75x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
36% heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
3.5x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
2.16x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
1.7x 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).
Which is more ductile, Plastic Nylon PA66 or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE stretches further before it breaks: 465% elongation at break against 30% for Plastic Nylon PA66.
Thermal
Which handles higher temperatures, Plastic Nylon PA66 or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic Nylon PA66 does: 101 °C against 80 °C for Plastic UHMWPE.
Which conducts heat better, Plastic Nylon PA66 or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE conducts heat better: 0.4 W/m·K against 0.33 W/m·K for Plastic Nylon PA66.
Which expands less with temperature?
Plastic Nylon PA66 expands less: 98 µm/m·K against 200 µm/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.