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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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)
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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)
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Eastar Copolyester 6763 Product Data SheetEastmanPlastic PETG · Thermal conductivity: base material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typicalPlastic PETG · Thermal expansion: base material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typicalPlastic PETG · Specific heat: base material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), DSC at 60 °C (lowest temperature listed)
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 and Plastic PETG are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Plastic Nylon stronger than Plastic PETG?
Plastic Nylon is stronger: its yield strength is 63.1 MPa against 46.2 MPa for Plastic PETG (37%).
Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon or Plastic PETG?
Plastic Nylon is lighter: 1,140 kg/m³ against 1,270 kg/m³ for Plastic PETG.
Which is stiffer, Plastic Nylon or Plastic PETG?
Plastic Nylon is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.33 GPa against 1.94 GPa for Plastic PETG, so the same part in Plastic Nylon deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic Nylon or Plastic PETG?
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 Nylon
Plastic PETG
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
34% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
22% heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
18% heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
1.52x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
37% heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
30% 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 handles higher temperatures, Plastic Nylon or Plastic PETG?
Plastic Nylon does: 89.2 °C against 76.2 °C for Plastic PETG, both HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens).
Which conducts heat better, Plastic Nylon or Plastic PETG?
Plastic Nylon conducts heat better: 0.33 W/m·K against 0.21 W/m·K for Plastic PETG.
Which expands less with temperature?
Plastic PETG expands less: 51 µm/m·K against 100 µm/m·K for Plastic Nylon.