Nylon Filament

Nylon is a tough, wear resistant engineering filament for working parts. We stock nylon PA12 in carbon fibre and glass fibre filled grades in 1.75 mm on plastic spools. PA12 absorbs less moisture than other nylons, and the fibre fill makes it stiffer and far easier to print without warping.

PA12 CF and PA12 GF

PA12 CF is the stiffest option with a matte black finish, suited to brackets, mounts and structural parts. PA12 GF gives a little less stiffness with better impact resistance. Both resist wear, fuels and oils, and both keep working at temperatures that soften PETG and ABS.

Printing nylon

Nylon must be dry. Dry the spool before printing and feed it from a dry box, because damp nylon prints weak and rough. Use a hardened nozzle for the fibre filled grades and an enclosure for larger parts.

Print settings

Data sheets are in the TDS library, and free slicer profiles are available.

Common questions

What is nylon filament used for?

Nylon filament is used for working parts that need toughness and wear resistance, such as gears, hinges, brackets, mounts and tool parts. Fibre filled nylon is also used for stiff structural parts that must survive heat, fuel or oil.

Does nylon filament need to be dried?

Nylon filament must be dried before every print. Nylon absorbs moisture from the air within hours, and wet nylon pops, strings and loses strength. Dry the nylon spool and feed it from a dry box while printing.

Do I need a hardened nozzle for nylon CF?

Nylon CF and nylon GF need a hardened steel or other wear resistant nozzle. The carbon or glass fibre is abrasive and wears brass quickly. A 0.6 mm hardened nozzle is a good choice for fibre filled nylon.