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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Ultimaker Nylon, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat), conditioned >=24 h at room temperature; Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS v2.00, April 20, 2022.
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 · Poisson's ratio: base material: unfilled polyamide (PA), conditioned, maker design-guide family value (Covestro Table 3-1)
4
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)
5
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.
Plastic Nylon is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Plastic Nylon stronger than Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic Nylon is stronger: its yield strength is 63.1 MPa against 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (3.16x).
Which is lighter, Plastic Nylon or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 1,140 kg/m³ for Plastic Nylon.
Which is stiffer, Plastic Nylon or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic Nylon is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.33 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, so the same part in Plastic Nylon deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic Nylon or Plastic UHMWPE?
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 UHMWPE
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
lighter
2.88x heavier
Stiff beam (bending)
lighter
1.53x heavier
Stiff panel or plate
lighter
24% heavier
Strong rod or tie
lighter
2.57x heavier
Strong beam
lighter
1.75x heavier
Strong panel or plate
lighter
45% 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 or Plastic UHMWPE?
Plastic UHMWPE conducts heat better: 0.4 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 200 µm/m·K for Plastic UHMWPE.