Nylon

Nylon filaments for 3D printing

Nylon (also known as polyamide) is among the strongest and most durable filaments for 3D printing. This material is characterized by incredible mechanical strength, flexibility, and wear resistance, making it a preferred choice for engineering and functional applications. Nylon filament outperforms several popular materials like PLA, PETG, and ABS in a number of metrics, offering a combination of strength and durability that is unmatched by them.

Main advantages of Nylon filament:

• Exceptional strength: Parts printed with Nylon can withstand high mechanical loads without breaking or deforming.
• Impact resistance and flexibility: Unlike brittle materials (such as PLA), Nylon has a certain flexibility that allows it to withstand impacts and vibrations without cracking.
• Wear resistance: Nylon is highly resistant to friction and wear, making it ideal for moving parts such as gears or bearing bushings.
• Thermal resistance and chemical resistance: Nylon products maintain their strength at higher temperatures (many types of Nylon withstand over 100°C, and special formulations – even over 150°C). The material is also relatively resistant to oils, fuels, and numerous chemicals, which expands its application in industrial environments.

Nylon vs. PLA, PETG and ABS: Nylon is far stronger and more heat-resistant than PLA; more wear and bend resistant than PETG; and more impact resistant than ABS (without the unpleasant odors during printing that are characteristic of ABS).

Printing with Nylon filament: settings and tips

Extrusion temperature: For successful printing with Nylon filament, a higher nozzle temperature is required. Most Nylon materials print optimally at 240°C – 260°C, while some special formulations allow printing at around 220°C (specific to certain brands and types). Make sure your 3D printer has an all-metal hotend capable of reaching these temperatures, as standard PTFE-based hotends may be damaged above ~240°C.

Heated platform: The 3D printing filament Nylon requires a heated platform (heatbed) for good adhesion of the first layer and to reduce warping. A bed temperature of around 70°C – 90°C is recommended. Some innovative Nylon filaments can be printed at a lower bed temperature (~50°C) without significant warping. However, for most nylon filaments, a higher platform temperature helps with better adhesion.

Surface and adhesion: Nylon does not adhere well to a smooth platform. For a strong first layer, use PVA glue or a special spray/glue for Nylon (e.g., 3DLAC Nylon). Additionally, using a frame (brim) or a pad (raft) around the model further protects the edges from peeling.

Cooling: Unlike PLA, a cooling fan is not as necessary for Nylon and is often not even recommended. A slow or turned-off cooling fan for the layer can prevent the plastic from cooling too quickly, which is a major cause of warping. In other words, when printing with Nylon, it is good for the layers to cool gradually, and the ambient temperature to remain stable.

Moisture and storage: The nylon filament is hygroscopic – always store it dry, as moisture leads to cracking and defects during printing.

Properties and results of 3D printing with Nylon

Nylon filament allows the production of parts with qualities close to those of factory-molded engineering plastics. The details created with this material are characterized by a combination of high strength, fatigue resistance, and wear resistance, which few other 3D filaments can achieve.

• Mechanical durability: 3D printed elements made of Nylon have high tensile (stretch) and compressive strength. They can withstand dynamic loads and vibrations, making them suitable for functional prototypes and end-use products. For example, gears and other machine elements can be printed to operate reliably.

• Thermal resistance: As we mentioned, Nylon withstands higher working temperatures compared to PLA or PETG. This means that printed components made from Nylon can function under heating (for example, near engines, in automotive applications, or machinery) without losing their hardness. Regular Nylon formulations have a softening point of around ~80-100°C, while some reinforced or specialized variants (e.g., carbon fiber Nylon) maintain their strength even at 150°C+. This high thermal resistance significantly expands the areas of application.

• Chemical resistance: Nylon is resistant to a variety of chemicals and fuels. This includes oils, greases, alcohols, and more. In an environment where PLA would dissolve or deform under the influence of chemicals, nylon parts remain stable. This is why Nylon is often used for components in the industry, such as tanks or gears operating with lubricants.

Proposed brands of Nylon filaments in 3DLarge

At 3DLarge, we offer a selection of high-quality Nylon filaments from leading manufacturers to ensure the best results for your projects. In this category, you will find threads from brands established in the field of 3D printing:

• Polymaker – An innovative manufacturer with the PolyMide™ Nylon series and Warp-Free technology for minimal warping.
• eSUN – A popular brand with affordable and reliable Nylon filaments.
• Taulman3D – A pioneer in nylon filaments (e.g. Nylon 645, 910) with exceptional strength for engineering applications.