ABS vs PA66 (Nylon 66): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
ABS vs PA66 (Nylon 66)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
ABS
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene — the most widely used amorphous engineering/commodity thermoplastic. Excellent balance of toughness, rigidity, and processability. Good surface finish and paintability. Not UV-stable without additives. Trade names include Novodur (INEOS Styrolution), Terluran (INEOS), Cycolac (SABIC). Used for automotive interior trim, appliance housings (vacuum cleaners, monitors), LEGO bricks, 3D printing filament, and pipe fittings.
PA66 (Nylon 66)
Polyamide 66 — stiffer and more heat-resistant than PA6. Higher crystallinity gives better creep resistance and ~40°C higher melting point (260°C vs 220°C). Slightly more brittle. More moisture-sensitive at saturation than PA6. Trade names include Ultramid A (BASF), Zytel 101 (DuPont), Tecamid 66 (Ensinger). Dominant in US/UK markets. Used for automotive engine components, electrical connectors, gears, cable ties, and industrial bushings.
| ABS | PA66 (Nylon 66) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 10350 | ISO 10350 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | ABS | PA66 (Nylon 66) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Acrylonitrile | 15–35% | — | — |
| Butadiene | 5–30% | — | — |
| Styrene | 40–60% | — | — |
| Hexamethylenediamine unit | — | 45–55% | — |
| Adipic Acid unit |
Sign up free and get 3 full comparisons immediately.
Sign up free — 3 comparisons/day freeMechanical properties — Pro
| Property | ABS | PA66 (Nylon 66) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 38–50 | 80–90 | MPa |
| Yield Strength | 40–48 | 80–85 | MPa |
| Elongation | 10–30 | 15–40 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | |||
| Density | |||
| Glass Transition Temp (Tg) | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| Tensile Strength | |||
| Tensile Modulus | |||
| Elongation at Break | |||
| Charpy Impact (notched) | |||
| Density | |||
| HDT/B (0.45 MPa) | |||
| Vicat Softening Temp | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| Melting Point | |||
| Glass Transition Temp | |||
| Water Absorption (saturation) |
Sign up free and get 3 full comparisons immediately.
Sign up free — 3 comparisons/day freeCompatibility Assessment
ABS and PA66 (Nylon 66) have significantly different compositions (0% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is ABS the same as PA66 (Nylon 66)?
ABS and PA66 (Nylon 66) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace ABS with PA66 (Nylon 66)?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (0% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between ABS and PA66 (Nylon 66)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. ABS is a Polymers grade, while PA66 (Nylon 66) is a Polymers grade.
Related Comparisons
View full data for each material:
Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
All data is for reference only. Equivalents indicate similarity, not identity. Always verify against the applicable specification for safety-critical applications. materialref.com accepts no liability for decisions based on this data.