I don't know much about it, but you can find a comparison to ABS on the last page of the pdf linked below. It does seem more structural than the nylon you describe. Testing is surely needed.

http://downloads.makerbot.com/replicator2/MakerBot_Replicator2_faq.pdf

: What does PLA mean? At work we use nylon for this kind of machine.
: However the physical properties are so low - flexible- that it
: is basically used for models. There is a recent use for drill
: locating tools, but only for small holes made by hand drilling.
: Anything using precise location or difficult to drill materials
: uses something else. These drill locating tools are generally
: relatively thick to get enough stiffness.
: Nylon is difficult to bond to anything else.
: Try a test first.