FabDigit

MXD6 vs PA6 and 2 more: properties

MXD6PA6PA66PA11

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

10 GPa1.5 Msi
3 GPa0.44 Msi
3 GPa0.44 Msi
1.6 GPa0.23 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.35
0.39
0.39
0.4

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

200 MPa29 ksi
80 MPa11.6 ksi
82 MPa11.9 ksi
48 MPa7 ksi

Elongation at Break

2.5%
60%
40%
45%

Compressive Strength

170 MPa24.7 ksi
85 MPa12.3 ksi
95 MPa13.8 ksi
50 MPa7.3 ksi

Flexural Strength

285 MPa41.3 ksi
105 MPa15.2 ksi
105 MPa15.2 ksi
47 MPa6.8 ksi

Flexural Modulus

9.5 GPa1.4 Msi
2.8 GPa0.41 Msi
2.9 GPa0.42 Msi
1.4 GPa0.2 Msi

Izod Impact, Notched

90 J/m1.7 ft·lbf/in
55 J/m1 ft·lbf/in
50 J/m0.94 ft·lbf/in
55 J/m1 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Rockwell M

100 HRM
82 HRM
85 HRM

Shear Modulus

1.1 GPa0.15 Msi
1.1 GPa0.16 Msi
0.55 GPa0.08 Msi

Bulk Modulus

5 GPa0.65 Msi
5 GPa0.65 Msi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

75 MPa10.9 ksi
80 MPa11.6 ksi
40 MPa5.8 ksi

Compressive Modulus

2.6 GPa0.38 Msi
2.8 GPa0.41 Msi

Shear Strength

62 MPa9 ksi
60 MPa8.7 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in
3 MPa·√m2.7 ksi·√in
3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in

Hardness, Shore D

81 Shore D
81 Shore D
75 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell R

119 HRR
120 HRR
105 HRR

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.48 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
1.14 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
1.14 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
1.03 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³

Melting Temperature (Tm)

240°C464 °F
220°C428 °F
262°C504 °F
188°C370 °F

Glass Transition (Tg)

88°C190 °F
58°C136 °F
70°C158 °F
46°C115 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.3%
1.7%
1.3%
0.3%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

2.4%
9%
8.5%
1.9%

Refractive Index

1.53
1.53

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

0.3 W/m·K0.17 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.25 W/m·K0.14 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.25 W/m·K0.14 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.25 W/m·K0.14 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,400 J/kg·K0.33 BTU/lb·°F
1,700 J/kg·K0.41 BTU/lb·°F
1,670 J/kg·K0.4 BTU/lb·°F
1,800 J/kg·K0.43 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F
90 µm/m·K50 µin/in·°F
85 µm/m·K47.2 µin/in·°F
120 µm/m·K66.7 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

120°C248 °F
90°C194 °F
100°C212 °F
85°C185 °F

Min Service Temperature

-40°C-40 °F
-30°C-22 °F
-40°C-40 °F
-40°C-40 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

230°C446 °F
170°C338 °F
220°C428 °F
180°C356 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

215°C419 °F
65°C149 °F
80°C176 °F
50°C122 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

24%
24%
25%
25%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

200°C392 °F
150°C302 °F
170°C338 °F
130°C266 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

190°C374 °F
200°C392 °F
160°C320 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Strength

25 kV/mm635 V/mil
25 kV/mm635 V/mil
22 kV/mm559 V/mil
23 kV/mm584 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

4
3.7
3.4
3.2

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.02
0.025
0.02
0.04

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

550 V
600 V
600 V

Surface Resistivity

1×10¹³ Ω
1×10¹³ Ω
1×10¹³ Ω

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

80 / 100
70 / 100
60 / 100
85 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

30 / 100
30 / 100
30 / 100
55 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

40 / 100
68 / 100
65 / 100
65 / 100

Weldability

55 / 100
62 / 100
70 / 100
70 / 100

Formability (cold)

15 / 100
60 / 100
50 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.3%
1.2%
1.5%
1.2%

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

270°C518 °F
260°C500 °F
290°C554 °F
235°C455 °F

Mold Temperature (typ.)

130°C266 °F
80°C176 °F
80°C176 °F
60°C140 °F

Polishability

55 / 100
60 / 100
55 / 100

Melt Flow Rate

15 g/10 min
30 g/10 min

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

130 MJ/kg55,890 BTU/lb
125 MJ/kg53,740 BTU/lb
120 MJ/kg51,591 BTU/lb
75 MJ/kg32,244 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

7.5 kg CO₂/kg
7.6 kg CO₂/kg
6.7 kg CO₂/kg
5 kg CO₂/kg

Typical Recycled Content

0%
5%
5%
40%

Embodied Water

400 L/kg47.9 gal/lb
300 L/kg35.9 gal/lb

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

135 kN·m/kg
70 kN·m/kg
72 kN·m/kg
47 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

6.8 MN·m/kg
2.6 MN·m/kg
2.6 MN·m/kg
1.6 MN·m/kg

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scalePA11PA6PA66MXD6

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityMXD6PA6PA66PA11
Injection moldingYesYesYes
CNC machiningYesYes
Sheet metalYesYes
3D printingYes
Default conditionGF30UnfilledUnfilledUnfilled
Relative cost$$ Standard$ Budget$$ Standard$$$ Premium
Min. machined wall0.5 mm0.5 mm
Best machined surfaceRa 0.8 µmRa 0.8 µm
Chrome Plating (Plastic)YesYesYes
Conductive CoatingYes
Dyeing (Nylon)Yes
PaintingYesYesYes
Primer CoatingYes
Spray PaintingYesYesYes
Tinted CoatingYes
Vacuum MetallizationYes
Waterproof CoatingYes

They share 3 finishes: EMI Shielding Coating, Soft Touch Coating, UV Coating.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in MXD6 and PA6 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.