PA6
The workhorse nylon · 76 filaments
ExpertWhy: Strong, low-friction. Absorbs moisture extremely fast, so dry the spool right before use.
Nylon (PA6), in plain words
Is nylon hard to print?
It's the expert tier. PA6 wants 250-280 °C at the nozzle, an 80-110 °C bed, an enclosure, and a spool that is truly dry. None of those are negotiable.
Why does drying matter so much?
PA6 pulls water out of the air faster than any other family here, and a damp spool prints weak, rough, and stringy. Dry it right before use, print from sealed storage if you can, and reseal leftovers immediately. In a humid climate, its cousin PA12 will frustrate you less.
When to pick it
Moving parts. Nylon is strong, a little slippery by nature, and shrugs off wear, which is exactly what gears, hinges, and latches want. For a static bracket, PETG gets you most of the way with a tenth of the fuss.
Nylon (PA6), in plain words
Is nylon hard to print?
It's the expert tier. PA6 wants 250-280 °C at the nozzle, an 80-110 °C bed, an enclosure, and a spool that is truly dry. None of those are negotiable.
Why does drying matter so much?
PA6 pulls water out of the air faster than any other family here, and a damp spool prints weak, rough, and stringy. Dry it right before use, print from sealed storage if you can, and reseal leftovers immediately. In a humid climate, its cousin PA12 will frustrate you less.
When to pick it
Moving parts. Nylon is strong, a little slippery by nature, and shrugs off wear, which is exactly what gears, hinges, and latches want. For a static bracket, PETG gets you most of the way with a tenth of the fuss.