Comparison

PA66 vs ABS

A side-by-side comparison of Polyamide 6,6 (Nylon) and Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene.

Property

PA66

ABS

Physical

Density

1.14 g/cm³

1.04 – 1.07 g/cm³

Water Absorption (24h)

1.2 %

0.20 – 0.45 %

Transparency

Opaque

Shrinkage

1.5 – 2.0 %

0.4 – 0.9 %

Specific Gravity

—

1.05

Surface Finish

—

Matte to glossy

Mechanical

Young's Modulus

3.0 GPa (dry)

1.8 – 2.5 GPa

Tensile Strength

80 MPa

40 – 50 MPa

Flexural Strength

110 MPa

60 – 80 MPa

Impact Strength (Izod)

50 J/m

200 – 400 J/m

Elongation at Break

60 %

10 – 50 %

Hardness (Rockwell R)

—

100 – 115

Thermal

Melting Point

255 – 265 °C

Amorphous (no true Tm)

Glass Transition Temperature

70 °C

105 °C

Continuous Service Temperature

100 – 120 °C

70 – 90 °C

Heat Deflection Temperature

75 °C (unfilled)

85 – 100 °C

Thermal Conductivity

—

0.17 W/m·K

CTE

—

80 – 100 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Electrical

Dielectric Constant

4.0

2.7 – 3.2

Volume Resistivity

10¹² Ω·cm

10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

—

10¹⁵ Ω

Dielectric Strength

—

15 – 20 kV/mm

Chemical resistance

Acids

Poor

—

Bases

Good

Alcohols

Good

Oils & Fuels

Excellent

—

UV Resistance

Fair

Poor (unless stabilized)

Acids (dilute)

—

Good

Oils & Greases

—

Fair

Gasoline

—

Poor

Acetone

—

Attacks / dissolves

Weathering

—

Poor without stabilizers

Sustainability

Recyclability

Recyclable

Recyclable (mechanical)

Recycling Code

7 (Other)

Bio-based Content

0 – 100 % (bio grades)

0 %

Carbon Footprint

~7.4 kg CO₂e / kg

~3.1 kg CO₂e / kg