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PU-Nylon-like vs PU-Rubber-like-ShoreA

Polyurethane · grade comparison

PU-Nylon-like and PU-Rubber-like-ShoreA are both polyurethane grades. PU-Nylon-like is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.31 ksi) for PU-Rubber-like-ShoreA, about 6.1 times as much. In exchange, PU-Rubber-like-ShoreA is the more ductile: elongation 380% versus 25% for PU-Nylon-like, and PU-Nylon-like is harder (82 Shore D vs 22 Shore D). PU-Rubber-like-ShoreA is lighter (1.09 g/cm³ vs 1.13 g/cm³ for PU-Nylon-like) and PU-Nylon-like is stiffer (1.9 GPa vs 0.01 GPa). On the shop floor, PU-Nylon-like machines more easily (very good vs poor).

PU-Nylon-likeChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.

PU-Rubber-like-ShoreAChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

PU-Nylon-like vs PU-Rubber-like-ShoreA: properties

PU-Nylon-likePU-Rubber-like-ShoreA

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

1.9 GPa0.28 Msi
0.01 GPa0 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.4
0.48

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

55 MPa8 ksi
9 MPa1.3 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

48 MPa7 ksi
—

Elongation at Break

25%
380%

Compressive Strength

80 MPa11.6 ksi
—

Compressive Modulus

1.8 GPa0.26 Msi
—

Flexural Strength

75 MPa10.9 ksi
—

Flexural Modulus

2 GPa0.29 Msi
—

Izod Impact, Notched

60 J/m1.1 ft·lbf/in
—

Hardness, Shore D

82 Shore D
22 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell R

108 HRR
—

Hardness, Shore A

—
70 Shore A

Tear Strength

—
28 kN/m160 lbf/in

Compression Set (22 h, 70 °C)

—
15%

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.13 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³
1.09 g/cm³0.04 lb/in³

Glass Transition (Tg)

75°C167 °F
-35°C-31 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.4%
0.6%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

1.5%
1.8%

Thermal

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

Specific Heat Capacity

1,600 J/kg·K0.38 BTU/lb·°F
1,750 J/kg·K0.42 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

110 µm/m·K61.1 µin/in·°F
180 µm/m·K100 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

80°C176 °F
75°C167 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

88°C190 °F
—

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

70°C158 °F
—

Same in both: Thermal Conductivity 0.2 W/m·K0.12 BTU/hr·ft·°F · Min Service Temperature -30°C-22 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 20% · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 110°C230 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹² Ω·m3.94×10¹⁹ µΩ·in
1×10¹⁰ Ω·m3.94×10¹⁷ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

20 kV/mm508 V/mil
18 kV/mm457 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

3.6
5

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.03
0.05

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω·cm
1×10¹² Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω
—

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

72 / 100
70 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

25 / 100
30 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

72 / 100
25 / 100

Weldability

5 / 100
0 / 100

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
88 / 100

Polishability

65 / 100
25 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.3%
0.4%

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

50°C122 °F
—

Same in both: Mold Temperature (typ.) 65°C149 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

100 MJ/kg42,992 BTU/lb
105 MJ/kg45,142 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

5.5 kg CO₂/kg
4.6 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Water 250 L/kg30 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

49 kN·m/kg
8 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

1.7 MN·m/kg
0 MN·m/kg

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

0
1

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s

Strength versus weight

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

71015203050701.11.21.31.4Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scalePU-Nylon-like

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityPU-Nylon-likePU-Rubber-like-ShoreA
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

PU-Nylon-like vs PU-Rubber-like-ShoreA — frequently asked

Is PU-Nylon-like stronger than PU-Rubber-like-ShoreA?

Yes. PU-Nylon-like has a typical tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) against 9 MPa (1.31 ksi) for PU-Rubber-like-ShoreA — about 6.1 times as much.

Which is cheaper, PU-Nylon-like or PU-Rubber-like-ShoreA?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, PU-Nylon-like or PU-Rubber-like-ShoreA?

PU-Nylon-like. Its machinability rates very good (72/100) against poor (25/100) for PU-Rubber-like-ShoreA; for welding the order is PU-Nylon-like first (not recommended, 5/100) then PU-Rubber-like-ShoreA (not recommended, 0/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PU-Nylon-like and PU-Rubber-like-ShoreA 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.