Nylon

Nylon filaments for 3D printing

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

Main advantages of Nylon filament:

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

Nylon vs. PLA, PETG and ABS: Nylon is far stronger and heat resistant than PLA; more resistant to wear and bending than PETG; and more impact resistant than ABS (without the unpleasant printing odors 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, with some special formulas allowing printing at around 220°C (specific to certain brands and types). Make sure your 3D printer has all-metal hotend capable of reaching these temperatures, as standard PTFE-based hotends can fail above ~240°C.

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

Surface and Adhesion: Nylon does not stick well to a smooth platform. For a strong first layer, use PVA glue or special spray/glue for Nylon (eg 3DLAC Nylon). Also, using a frame (brim) or pad (raft) around the model further prevents the edges from peeling off.

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

Moisture and storage: Nylon filament is hygroscopic - always store it dry as moisture causes cracking and printing defects.

Nylon 3D printing properties and results

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

• Mechanical durability: 3D printed Nylon elements have high resistance to tension (stretching) and pressure. They can withstand dynamic loads and vibrations, making them suitable for functional prototypes and end-use products. For example, they can be printed gears and other machine parts, to work reliably.

• Heat resistance: As mentioned, Nylon withstands higher operating temperatures than PLA or PETG. This means that printed Nylon components can function when heated (eg near engines, in automotive applications or machinery) without losing their stiffness. Common Nylon formulas have a softening point of approx ~80-100°C, while some reinforced or specialized variants (e.g. nylon with carbon fibres) retain their strength even at 150°C+. This high heat resistance greatly expands the areas of application.

• Chemical resistance: Nylon is resistant to a range of chemicals and fuels. This includes oils, greases, alcohols, etc. In environments where PLA would dissolve or deform under the influence of chemicals, nylon parts remain stable. This is why Nylon is often used for industrial details such as tanks or gears running on lubricants.

Nylon filament brands available in 3DLarge

We in 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 filaments from brands established in the field of 3D printing:

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