Short answer
Dry filament and a hardened nozzle are not optional for Nylon PA6-CF. Sort out those two, and have a printer that can handle the heat, and you get parts that are hard to match for strength.
How to print Nylon (PA6-CF): quick guide
Nylon PA6-CF gives exceptionally strong and stiff parts, but it is an advanced material that makes demands on the printer. Two things decide the result: dry filament and a hardened nozzle. If you would like to read up on the material itself first, we cover it in What is Nylon?. This guide takes you through the printing, and all temperatures come from our own data sheets.
Recommended settings
Starting values for Nylon PA6-CF according to our data sheets. Check that your printer can handle the high temperatures before you begin.
Step by step
1. Dry the filament. Nylon is one of the most moisture-sensitive materials there is. It quickly absorbs moisture from the air, and damp nylon gives porous, weak parts with a poor surface. Dry the spool before printing and store it dry, preferably in an airtight container with desiccant or directly in a filament dryer while you print. This step is not optional. Drying methods and storage in detail can be found in How to dry filament.
2. Use a hardened nozzle. The carbon fibre that reinforces the material is abrasive and quickly wears down an ordinary brass nozzle, which changes the flow and degrades quality. A hardened nozzle lasts considerably longer and is a prerequisite for printing carbon-fibre-reinforced nylon over time.
3. Säkra fäste och värme. Nylon skrivs ut hett, 230–280 °C, och vill ha en varm bädd på 70–100 °C. För bra fäste hjälper limstift eller en brim. En jämn, varm miljö minskar risken för varpning på större delar, på samma sätt som för ABS. Vårt kolfiberförstärkta Nylon filament ligger på ett lika förmånligt pris som resten av sortimentet.
Common problems and solutions
Good to know
→ Store and dry it properly
Nylon PA6-CF absorbs moisture from the air faster than most other materials. Store the spool airtight with desiccant between prints, and dry it before every longer job — it is the single most important factor for good results.
→ Skip the hardened nozzle
Don't. The carbon fibre in the material quickly wears out an ordinary brass nozzle, and quality drops noticeably towards the end of a print as the nozzle widens. A hardened nozzle is a prerequisite, not an extra investment.
Frequently asked questions about printing Nylon
What temperature should I print Nylon PA6-CF at?
According to our data sheets, 230–280 °C for the nozzle and 70–100 °C for the bed. Start at around 260 °C for the nozzle. Check that your printer can handle these temperatures.
Why does Nylon need to be dried?
Nylon very readily absorbs moisture from the air, and damp filament gives porous and weak parts, bubbles and a poor surface. Dry the spool before printing and store it dry with desiccant, or print straight from a filament dryer.
Do I need a hardened nozzle for Nylon PA6-CF?
Yes. The carbon fibre is abrasive and quickly wears out an ordinary brass nozzle. A hardened nozzle is a prerequisite for reliable prints over time.
Can my printer handle Nylon?
It needs to handle nozzle temperatures of 230–280 °C and a bed at 70–100 °C, and the nozzle should be hardened. Many modern printers can manage this, but check the specifications first.
Nylon in 1 shade, from 280 SEK
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