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With our guide to the best nylon filament for 3D printing, you will discover which nylon filament you should use to create high quality models.
Nyon is a common 3D printing material, and it has many advantages such as strength, flexibility, as well as a great finish. There are many different nylon filaments on the market and we are going to look at each one in-depth to find the best one to use.
Before we get into the pros and cons of using nylon as print material, here is a quick overview of the top nylon filaments that are available now.
PolyMide CoPA Nylon filament 1.75 is made with Nylon 6 and Nylon 6.6 PA filament, which ensures outstanding mechanical strength and toughness, making it the best choice of engineering material for your creative ideas.
Table of Contents
At a Glance: 8 of the Best Nylon Filaments for 3D Printing in 2021
Nylon filament | Extruder temperature | Colors available | Filament diameters | Latest price |
Polymaker PolyMide CoPA 3D Printer Filament | 250-270°C | Black, natural | 1.75mm, 2.85mm | Check the latest price |
ColorFabb PA Neat | 265-290°C | Black | 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm | Check the latest price |
MatterHackers Nylon G | 245-265 °C | Red, orange, white, olive green, blue, desert tan, silver | 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm | Check the latest price |
MatterHackers Nylon K | 250-265 °C | Black | 1.75 mm, 2.85 mm | Check the latest price |
OVERTURE Nylon Filament | 250°C-270°C | Black | 1.75mm | Check the latest price |
Ultimaker Nylon | 230-260°C | Black, and transparent | 2.85mm | Check the latest price |
taulman3D Nylon filament | 230°C | Black | 1.75mm | Check the latest price |
eSUN ePA Nylon 3D Printer Filament | 230-260°C | Natural | 1.75mm | Check the latest price |
Advantages of using nylon filament in 3D printing
There are many different filament types out there for 3D printers, but what are the advantages of 3D printing with nylon?
Durability and Strength
One of the big reasons that many people choose to 3D print with nylon filament is its durability.
Nylon is one of the most rigid filaments you can use. Therefore, it is excellent for printing off tough printed objects, and if you need durability in your 3D models, nylon is perfect for this.
Using nylon filament means that it will take a lot of work to break your 3D printed models and parts. Even though plastic filaments such as Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) and PLA are perhaps more common, nylon is more robust and durable.
Nylon Filament Flexibility
Another big reason to go with nylon filament for your 3D printing material is down to its flexibility.
This flexible filament means it has great shock absorption properties. If you need to print 3D objects that regularly experience a lot of force, nylon is a great choice.
In addition, this filament has superior impact resistance, so nylon is a fantastic filament to use for moving parts and mechanical gears.
Print Quality
The overall print quality that you get with nylon filament is very high.
Even though print quality is often determined by how good your 3D printer is, the filament you use will play a big role in this as well.
With nylon filament, your 3D-printed objects and models will come out at a very high standard.
It absorbs moisture
Nylon filament is known as what is called hygroscopic. This means that it absorbs moisture very well.
Now, there is an upside and a downside to this. The downside to nylon being hygroscopic is that the filament can lose its freshness over time because it absorbs moisture more than many other filament types. However, if you keep it in an airtight container, you shouldn’t have any issues.
The advantage of nylon being able to absorb moisture is that your models will be easy to paint. For example, if you are using your 3D printer to print off miniatures, nylon makes creating a great finished product a lot more straightforward.
Disadvantages of using nylon filament in 3D printing
Nylon is a really good filament to use, but there are a couple of disadvantages.
Prone to warping
A significant downside to nylon filament is that it is prone to warping more than other materials. Certain types of nylon filament are made to prevent this as much as possible; however, it is something that is unfortunately quite common.
One method of cutting down on the chance of warping when using nylon filament is to use a 3D printer with a heated bed. If you don’t use a 3D printer with a high bed temperature, your printed objects will cool much quicker, which can accelerate the warping process.
Another way to avoid this is to use a 3D printer that has a fully enclosed chamber. This will ensure that a hot temperature is maintained throughout the printing process and the chances of your models warping are reduced.
Requires air-tight storage
We mentioned above that the hygroscopic nature of nylon filament has both good and bad sides.
The disadvantage is that you need to keep it in an airtight container. If you don’t, it can ruin pretty quickly and certainly a lot faster than many other filaments such as plastic.
This isn’t a huge deal because it just means you need to be careful about storing the filament, but it is worth highlighting.
8 of the Best Nylon Filaments for 3d Printing
1. Polymaker PolyMide CoPA 3D Printer Filament
The Polymaker PolyMide CoPA 3D Printer Filament has a significant advantage over many other types of nylon filament – its anti-warping properties. It has an anti-warp guarantee, and this is one of the few nylon filaments that you don’t need to use an enclosed 3D printing chamber because it holds up very well. In addition, it won’t start to soften up until the extruder temperature reaches 180°C, which is a good indication of its overall strength and durability.
It is still recommended that you do use a heated chamber to prevent your printed objects from cooling down too quickly, but it isn’t the end of the world if you don’t have one.
This filament is available in 1.75mm and 2.85mm, although there aren’t many color choices available.
Pros
- Has anti-warping properties, which is great for nylon filament
- Don’t necessarily need an enclosed chamber
- Very strong and durable
- Compatible with many different 3D printers
Cons
- Color choice is limited, but black is good for painting the finished product
PolyMide CoPA Nylon filament 1.75 is made with Nylon 6 and Nylon 6.6 PA filament, which ensures outstanding mechanical strength and toughness, making it the best choice of engineering material for your creative ideas.
2. ColorFabb PA Neat
This is another filament that has been constructed to help prevent warping, and the ColorFabb PA Neat nylon filament is ideal for printing mechanical and moving parts.
The overall tensile strength (the force required to break an object) is slightly higher than the Polymaker PolyMide CoPA filament. However, given the premium nature of this nylon filament, it isn’t that expensive, although you will find cheaper options.
The 2.85mm filament is very stiff. This means you will need to use a spool mount with some friction for the filament to perform correctly and prevent unspooling.
Overall, this is a robust filament that offers a high level of performance while still maintaining a reasonable price.
Pros
- Very strong nylon filament which isn’t too expensive
- Doesn’t warp as much as some other nylon filaments
- Perfect for mechanical and moving parts due to its solid nature
Cons
- You will need a pool mount with some friction for the 2.85mm filament
3. MatterHackers Nylon G
The MatterHackers Nylon G filament is the best option if you want numerous color choices as it is available in red, orange, white, olive green, blue, desert tan, and silver.
The multiple filament colors give you a world of possibilities, especially if you use a multicolor 3D printer.
You will also find this filament available at a pretty good price given the performance it offers. The glass fiber reinforcement enhances durability, which helps maintain your objects’ shape and increased accuracy. If you need superior impact resistance and print models that will come under repeated shocks, the Nylon G filament is your answer.
Pros
- Available in a wide range of colors
- Very strong filament which is ideal for impact resistance
- Prints high-quality objects
Cons
- Doesn’t come in a resealable bag
NylonG is glass-fiber infused 3D printing filament that has excellent impact-resistant capabilities. It also has excellent inter-layer adhesion and incredible tensile strength.
4. MatterHackers Nylon K
The next Matterhacker offering is the MatterHackers Nylon K filament.
This nylon filament has a Kevlar fiber reinforced construction to increase its durability and strength massively. If you are printing parts subject to constant friction, this is the perfect filament to choose.
It is slightly more expensive than the Nylon G, but the small additional cost is worth it if you need a highly abrasive resistant filament. Unlike the Nylon G, the color choice is limited to black, but this isn’t particularly a bad thing for painting your objects when they have cooled down.
Pros
- Great for abrasive resistance due to being Kevlar fiber reinforced
- Offers a high level of durability and strength
- Suitable for engineering-grade materials
Cons
- Slightly more expensive than Nylon G filament
- Color choice is limited to black
NylonK is a kevlar fiber reinforced nylon 3D printing filament that boasts excellent abrasion resistance and durability, making it ideal for applications that require more stiffness than unfilled nylons and improved durability under frictional forces.
5. OVERTURE Nylon Filament
The OVERTURE Nylon Filament is another product that has anti-warping properties, so it should cut down on the issues many people have when 3D printing with this kind of filament.
Another good feature of this nylon filament is that it is odorless. Strength and durability are found with this filament as well, and it is very cost-effective. One thing to note about this nylon filament is that it is one of the more brittle materials you can buy.
More experienced 3D printing enthusiasts have found that it can crack under pressure; however, if you are just getting started using nylon filament, it is ideal.
Pros
- Cheap nylon 3D printing filament that still produces good results
- Odorless and has anti-warping properties
- Good choice for 3D printing beginners
Cons
- This filament is quite brittle, so it can crack in some circumstances
This CoPA filament combines excellent strength, toughness, and heat resistance of up to 180˚C. It delivers excellent printing quality with no Order or warpage during printing.
6. Ultimaker Nylon
This is a premium filament, and the cost of the Ultimaker Nylon is a bit higher than you might want to pay.
However, it is a quality product, and spending a little extra money will be worth it. The Ultimaker Nylon filament has superior performance, while it has been specially created so that the absorption of moisture is reduced.
Suppose you are using an Ultimaker S5 3D printer. In that case, the material station works wonders with this nylon filament, as it helps to control humidity and allows for a much easier process when printing with nylon.
You don’t need to use this filament specifically with an Ultimaker printer, but it does help. However, this offers excellent all-around performance even if it is a little expensive.
Pros
- Premium nylon filament that has great strength and durability
- Works well with Ultimaker 3D printers, but can be used with most 3D printers
- Low moisture absorption properties
Cons
- This filament is a bit expensive
Ultimaker Nylon filament features reduced humidity absorption and longer shelf life. A great choice for 3D printing tools, functional prototypes, and end-use parts. Ultimaker Nylon is designed for impact and abrasion resistance, low friction coefficient, corrosion-resistant to alkalis and organic chemicals!
7. taulman3D Nylon filament
Moving back to our budget filaments, and the taulman3D Nylon filament provides a high level of performance. This product is also compatible with most 3D printers on the market, so it is very versatile.
This is a very flexible filament and removes some of the obstacles that you often find when working with nylon.
Some users have found that you may need to upscale your models slightly before printing in order to get the correct dimensions with the finished product. It shouldn’t be anything massive, but even enlarging your models by 2% is another task you’ll need to carry out.
Aside from that, this is a robust and rigid nylon filament that is very cheap for 1KG.
Pros
- Budget-conscious 3D printing filament
- Strong, flexible, and offers a great finish
- Compatible with many different 3D printers
Cons
- May need to upscale your models slightly to get the right dimensions
Flexible, high strength, chemical resistant, wear-resistant, heat resistant, medical-grade and food-safe materials are just some of the features of taulman3D's line of polymers for additive manufacturing (3d printing).
8. eSUN ePA Nylon 3D Printer Filament
The final product on our list (but certainly not the least) is the eSUN ePA Nylon 3D Printer Filament.
This is a kind of mid-range nylon filament, but it still provides very good results. It is available in a natural color that can make painting your objects easier, although it can take a while to use it. You may need to ramp your 3D printer temperature up to get the best finishes with this nylon filament.
This filament is solid and durable so that it would be a great choice for 3D printing gears and similar objects. Like many nylon filaments, this is prone to warping, and perhaps it is more likely to warp than others we have listed in this guide.
Pros
- Decent mid-range nylon filament for your 3D printer
- Provides good results for your printed objects
Cons
- Very prone to warping, even more so than other nylon filaments
- Can take a while to get the correct temperature
Reinforced spool with bigger inner diameter to allow the smoother pull from the extruder.
Frequently Asked Questions about Nylon Filament
Answer: Yes. Nylon filanet is one of the strongest filaments you can use as it is incredibly strong and durable. Even though it can be prone to warping, this is an ideal filament to use for moving parts, or if you need some tough printed 3D objects.
Answer: Air bubles occur when the printing temperature is too high. This can happen with any kind of filament, so make sure you use your nylon filament at the recommended temperatures to avoid air bubbles from appearing.
Answer: It depends on what you are printing off. While nylon is great for some printed objects, you might find plastics such as ABS and PLA more suitable.
Answer: Yes. there is no reason that you can’t use nylon filament as a beginner. Nylon can be prone to warping and you also need to be careful how you store it, but it isn’t more difficult to print overall.
Answer: It helps. While you can theoretically use nylon filament with most 3D printers that support it, using a printer with a heated bed and enclosed chamber will provide the best results.
Answer: You can find budget nylon filament brands as well as more expensive versions. Overall, the cheapest filament for 3D printing is usually PLA.
Answer: The general temperature that you shouold print nylon filament is betwen 220C and 260C. You can go lower than this, however, it is recommended that you stick within this range for a high-quality print.
Which is the Best Nylon Filament for 3D printing?
Nylon filament can take a while to get used to given its warping proneness and precise storage conditions.
This is why we recommend the Polymaker PolyMide CoPA 3D Printer Filament as our top choice.
The main reason is its anti-warping properties. While this doesn’t completely eliminate the problem, it massively cuts down on it. In addition, you don’t even necessarily need to use an enclosed chamber with this filament, and it is strong, durable, and compatible with many 3D printers.
The color choices are limited; however, black is a sensible option for painting with later on, and you can buy this filament for a reasonable price, while still being able to print high-quality objects.
PolyMide CoPA Nylon filament 1.75 is made with Nylon 6 and Nylon 6.6 PA filament, which ensures outstanding mechanical strength and toughness, making it the best choice of engineering material for your creative ideas.