Thermoplastic comparison
Polyamide 6 (PA6, Nylon 6) vs Polypropylene (PP)
Every value below is a typical room-temperature figure with its source, test method and conditions — the same dataset that drives the calculators.
Which to choose
PP is the cheap, light, chemically inert commodity choice; PA6 is a genuine engineering plastic — much stronger, stiffer and far better at wear — but it costs more and absorbs moisture. PP for chemical handling and high-volume parts; PA6 for gears, bearings and anything carrying real load.
| Property | Polyamide 6 (PA6, Nylon 6) | Polypropylene (PP) | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.13 g/cm³ | 0.905 g/cm³ | Polyamide 6 (PA6, Nylon 6) — 25% higher |
| Young's modulus E | 2.8 GPa | 1.4 GPa | Polyamide 6 (PA6, Nylon 6) — 2.0× higher |
| Tensile strength | 78 MPa | 34 MPa | Polyamide 6 (PA6, Nylon 6) — 2.3× higher |
| Glass transition Tg | 50 °C | -10 °C | Polyamide 6 (PA6, Nylon 6) — 60 °C higher |
| Melting point Tm | 220 °C | 165 °C | Polyamide 6 (PA6, Nylon 6) — 55 °C higher |
Where these numbers come from
- Callister & Rethwisch, Materials Science and Engineering, 10th ed.
Typical room-temperature values for learning and preliminary design; grades vary widely and a supplier datasheet always overrides a textbook figure. Confirm against the datasheet before design work.