Nylon (PA)

Overview

FDM Nylon (Polyamide) filament produces parts with exceptional strength-to-weight ratio, wear resistance, and fatigue life. While more challenging to print than PLA or PETG, the resulting parts rival injection-moulded nylon for many applications.

Key Properties

FDM Nylon offers tensile strength of 70-85 MPa, excellent fatigue resistance, and a heat deflection temperature around 80-180°C depending on the specific grade (PA6, PA66, PA12). Parts are naturally white and can be dyed.

Advantages

• Outstanding strength-to-weight ratio
• Excellent wear and abrasion resistance
• Self-lubricating — ideal for sliding parts and gears
• High fatigue resistance for parts under cyclic loading
• Good chemical resistance

Limitations

• Hygroscopic — absorbs moisture, which affects print quality and dimensions
• Requires dry storage and a heated, enclosed print environment
• Higher warpage tendency than PLA or PETG
• Thicker minimum wall requirements

Common Applications

Gears and bearings, tooling jigs and fixtures, cable guides, wear-resistant bushings, fan blades, hinges, mechanical linkages, and durable consumer product parts.