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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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)
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.
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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
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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
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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.
SLS PA12 Nylon is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Plastic UHMWPE stronger than SLS PA12 Nylon?
SLS PA12 Nylon is stronger: its tensile strength is 48 MPa against yield strength 20 MPa for Plastic UHMWPE (2.4x).
Which is lighter, Plastic UHMWPE or SLS PA12 Nylon?
Plastic UHMWPE is lighter: 930 kg/m³ against 930 kg/m³ for SLS PA12 Nylon.
Which is stiffer, Plastic UHMWPE or SLS PA12 Nylon?
SLS PA12 Nylon is stiffer: Young's modulus 1.65 GPa against 0.66 GPa for Plastic UHMWPE, so the same part in SLS PA12 Nylon deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic UHMWPE 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 UHMWPE
SLS PA12 Nylon
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
2.5x heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
1.58x heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
36% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
2.4x heavier
lighter
Strong beam
1.79x heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
1.55x 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).
Which is more ductile, Plastic UHMWPE or SLS PA12 Nylon?
Plastic UHMWPE stretches further before it breaks: 465% elongation at break against 18% for SLS PA12 Nylon.