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Nylon PA12 filament

Tough, wear-resistant nylon for gears, hinges and other moving parts.

You use nylon filament for parts that have to move, bend or wear without breaking. Fiberlogy Nylon PA12 is tough, stretches a long way before it breaks and resists alcohol and many chemicals. Below you will find PA12 in solid colours, R Nylon PA12 made from recycled material and the variants with carbon or glass fibre. Below the products you can read how to print nylon and keep it dry. Read more…

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What is nylon PA12 filament?

Nylon is the common name for polyamide (PA). PA12 is one of its types. It absorbs less moisture than the widely used PA6 and therefore holds its dimensions better. Fiberlogy Nylon PA12 is tough and resilient: according to Fiberlogy it stretches 50% before it breaks. It resists high temperatures, alcohol and many chemicals, and it is easy to post-process and varnish.

Which nylon should you choose?

TypeSuitable for
Nylon PA12Tough, wear-resistant parts such as gears, plain bearings and clips. On 0.75 and 1 kg spools.
R Nylon PA12The same nylon from 100% recycled material, in anthracite grey.
Nylon PA12 + CF / GFStiff, dimensionally stable parts: PA12 with 15% carbon fibre or 15% glass fibre.

Drying nylon and keeping it dry

Nylon is hygroscopic: it draws moisture from the air, and faster than PLA or PETG. Damp nylon crackles in the nozzle and causes bubbles, heavy stringing and weaker prints.

  • Drying: dry nylon before printing in a filament dryer, on the setting for nylon or PA. Allow several hours; a long time at a moderate temperature is better than a short time at high heat.
  • Storage: store the spool airtight, for example in the Air Tight Filament Storage Set with silica gel beads.

Printing nylon PA12: the right settings

  • Nozzle: 255–270 °C, for all Fiberlogy PA12 types.
  • Print bed: around 100 °C; for PA12 + GF 90–110 °C.
  • Adhesion: nylon adheres poorly to glass. Print on a PEI sheet with a thin layer of glue stick.
  • Cooling: little or none, for better layer bonding and less warping.

Something going wrong? Our article on solving common 3D printing problems covers the most common problems and their solutions.

Pros and cons of nylon filament

Advantages

  • Tough and resilient: bends rather than breaks
  • Wear-resistant, so suitable for parts that move or rub
  • Resists high temperatures, alcohol and many chemicals

Disadvantages

  • Absorbs moisture quickly; drying and dry storage are necessary
  • Prints hot: the nozzle has to reach 270 °C and the bed around 100 °C
  • Less stiff than PLA; for stiff parts choose the CF or GF variant

Applications of nylon PA12

  • Mechanical: gears, guides and plain bearings.
  • Fastening: clips, snap fits, hinges and nuts.
  • Workshop: tool holders, jigs and wear parts.

Nylon PA12 is part of our technical filament, together with PP and soluble support material, among others.

Frequently asked questions

  • What is the difference between nylon and PA12?

    Nylon is the common name for polyamides; PA12, PA6 and PA66 are types of nylon. They differ in how much moisture they absorb, how stiff they are and how easy they are to print. PA12 absorbs less moisture than PA6 and therefore holds its dimensions better. All our nylon filament is PA12 from Fiberlogy.

  • Can I print nylon without a filament dryer?

    A spool straight out of its vacuum packaging usually prints without problems. If the spool is left open for a while, nylon absorbs moisture and the quality drops. If you print nylon regularly, a filament dryer or dry box is practically essential. An oven only works if it can hold a low temperature accurately.

  • Which 3D printer do I need for nylon filament?

    Your printer must be able to hold the nozzle at 255–270 °C and the bed at around 100 °C; check the maximum temperatures in the specifications. A closed printer is a plus against warping. If you print PA12 with carbon or glass fibre, you also need a hardened nozzle.

  • Is nylon stronger than PETG?

    Nylon PA12 is tougher and more wear-resistant than PETG and better at withstanding high temperatures and chemicals. It bends and stretches before it breaks, where PETG cracks sooner. PETG is easier to print, though, and far less sensitive to moisture. For moving and rubbing parts choose nylon; for general functional parts PETG is often enough.

  • Why does my nylon warp?

    Nylon shrinks as it cools, which can lift corners off the bed. Make sure the bed is at around 100 °C, use a layer of glue stick and a brim, and turn the cooling down or off. A closed printer keeps the heat in. Damp filament can also weaken adhesion, so dry the spool first.