How to Print Nylon (PA6-CF): Drying & Hardened Nozzle

Short answer

Dry filament and a hardened nozzle are not optional with Nylon PA6-CF. Sort those two out, on a printer that can handle the heat, and you get parts stronger than almost anything else you can print.

How to print Nylon (PA6-CF): quick guide

Nylon PA6-CF gives very strong, stiff parts, but it is an advanced material that asks a lot of your printer. Two things decide the result: dry filament and a hardened nozzle. To read up on the material itself first, see 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.

Nozzle temperature 230–280 °C, start around 260 °C

Bed temperature 70–100 °C, a hot bed for good adhesion

Print speed 40–90 mm/s, moderate speed

Nozzle Hardened. The carbon fibre wears out ordinary brass quickly

Drying Required. Nylon readily absorbs moisture from the air

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

Porous, weak parts Damp filament → dry the filament, print from a dryer

Bubbles or a sizzling sound Moisture vaporising → dry the filament thoroughly

Declining quality over time Worn nozzle → switch to a hardened nozzle

Part comes loose or the corners lift Bed too cool or cold surroundings → raise bed temp, brim, steady room temperature

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. Nothing else affects the result as much.

→ Skip the hardened nozzle

Don't. The carbon fibre in the material quickly wears out an ordinary brass nozzle, and the quality drops noticeably towards the end of a print as the nozzle widens. Without a hardened nozzle it won't work for long.

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.