Comparison
PA6 FDM Filament vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Polyamide 6 Filament for FDM and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.13-1.15 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
1.0-2.0 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Opaque
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
Moderate (0.8-1.2%)
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
2.5-3.0 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
60-70 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
15-25 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
6-12 kJ/m²
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
50-60 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
215-225 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
80-90 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
50-60 °C @ 0.45 MPa
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
4.0-4.5
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10⁹-10¹¹ Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
12-18 MV/m
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Resistant to weak acids
Fair
Bases
Resistant to weak bases
Poor
Solvents
Resistant to oils, greases. Attacked by strong acids, phenols.
—
UV Resistance
Moderate
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (within PA stream)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
High
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %