PA11 vs PA66
Polymer · grade comparison
PA11 and PA66 are both polymer grades, both engineering plastic. PA66 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) against 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) for PA11, about 100% more; tensile strength follows at 82 MPa (11.9 ksi) vs 48 MPa (6.96 ksi). In exchange, PA11 is the more ductile: elongation 45% versus 40% for PA66, and PA66 is harder (81 Shore D vs 75 Shore D). PA11 is lighter (1.03 g/cm³ vs 1.14 g/cm³ for PA66) and PA66 is stiffer (3 GPa vs 1.6 GPa). On the shop floor, PA66 sits in a lower cost tier (standard, $$) than PA11 (premium, $$$).
PA11Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
PA66Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
PA11 vs PA66: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Fracture Toughness (K_IC)
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R
Bulk Modulus
Compressive Modulus
Shear Strength
Hardness, Rockwell M
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.25 W/m·K0.14 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 25%
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹³ Ω
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Formability (cold)
Melt Flow Rate
Same in both: Machinability 65 / 100 · Weldability 70 / 100
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Typical Recycled Content
Embodied Water
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
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.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | PA11 | PA66 |
|---|---|---|
| 3D printing | Yes | — |
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| Default condition | Unfilled | Unfilled |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $$ Standard |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 0.8 µm |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | — | Yes |
| Conductive Coating | Yes | — |
| Dyeing (Nylon) | Yes | — |
| Primer Coating | Yes | — |
| Spray Painting | — | Yes |
| Tinted Coating | Yes | — |
| Vacuum Metallization | Yes | — |
| Waterproof Coating | Yes | — |
They share 4 finishes: EMI Shielding Coating, Painting, Soft Touch Coating, UV Coating.
PA11 vs PA66 — frequently asked
Is PA66 stronger than PA11?
Yes. PA66 has a typical yield strength of 80 MPa (11.6 ksi) against 40 MPa (5.8 ksi) for PA11 — about 100% more. Tensile strength is 82 MPa (11.9 ksi) vs 48 MPa (6.96 ksi).
Which is cheaper, PA11 or PA66?
PA66 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the standard tier ($$) while PA11 is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
When should I choose PA11 over PA66?
Pick PA11 when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint. Pick PA66 when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PA11 and PA66 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.