Materials /Engineering material
Nylon (PA) 3D printing
Nylon is the reference material when a part rubs, turns or suffers. It withstands around 111 °C, is extremely tough and resists wear better than any other material we print. It is what you choose for gears, bushings, guides and anything that works in motion.
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At a glance
| Heat resistance (HDT) | 111 °C |
|---|---|
| Mechanical strength | High — very tough, absorbs impacts and repeated flexing |
| Wear resistance | The best in our catalogue; low friction |
| Moisture absorption | High: nylon takes up moisture from the air, which affects the part |
| Typical use | Gears, bushings, guides, parts under friction |
Heat deflection temperature (HDT, ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa) from the data sheet of the filament we use. Real part behaviour depends on geometry, orientation and print settings.
When to choose nylon
- —Gears, pinions and drives that really work.
- —Bushings, guides and surfaces sliding against another part.
- —Parts that flex again and again without being allowed to break (clips, tabs, hinges).
- —Machine spare parts under continuous wear.
- —Parts combining moderate heat and mechanical load.
When NOT to use nylon
- —Parts where long-term dimensional accuracy is critical: it absorbs moisture and shifts slightly.
- —Purely aesthetic parts: the finish is functional, not pretty.
- —When budget comes first: it is among the more expensive materials.
- —Parts needing extreme stiffness without deflecting under load.
If you need maximum stiffness with nylon's toughness, PA-CF (carbon-fibre nylon) is the evolution: far stiffer and more stable. For aesthetic parts, PLA or PVB.
Why nylon rules the parts that move
Any part rubbing against another wears out. Nylon combines two things that rarely go together: low friction, so it slides well without lubricant, and very high toughness, which keeps a gear tooth from chipping under a sudden load. That is why nylon-printed gears survive cycles that would leave a PLA one broken in the first week.
Moisture: what to know before ordering
Nylon absorbs moisture from the environment, and that slightly changes its dimensions and stiffness over time. It is not a problem for most mechanical parts, but it is worth knowing if your application depends on a very tight clearance. We print with dry filament; if your part has a critical dimensional requirement, tell us when requesting a quote so we can assess it together.
What it will cost you
Nylon is among the more expensive engineering materials we quote, so on large parts the difference against PLA does show. On small parts, however, you often still land on the €20 + VAT minimum order. The quick way to settle it is to upload your file and use the comparator: you will see the price of your specific part across all 13 materials at once.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best material for 3D printing gears?
Nylon (PA), for its combination of low friction and high toughness: the teeth take load without chipping and the part slides without lubricant. If you also need stiffness and dimensional stability, PA-CF (carbon-fibre nylon) is the next step.
How much heat can nylon take?
Up to around 111 °C (HDT, ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa, from the filament manufacturer's data sheet), which places it well above PLA (60 °C) and PETG (78 °C).
Why does nylon absorb moisture and what does that mean?
Its chemical structure attracts water molecules from the air. Over time the part can gain some flexibility and shift slightly in size. For ordinary mechanical parts this is not relevant; for very tight clearances it is worth bearing in mind and telling us before printing.
Does printed nylon work as a replacement for a broken part?
Very often yes: many parts that break in appliances and machinery are nylon or a similar engineering plastic. If you have the broken part but not the 3D file, send us photos and measurements and we will come back with a proposal.
Shall we print your part in this material?
Upload the file, pick the material and see the estimated price instantly. We confirm the final price within 24 h, with no commitment, and ship within 72 h of payment.
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