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"/>Everything You Need to Know About Nylon Filament for 3D Printing
PA (Polyamide) is an engineering plastic, characterized by its great resistance to impact and ability to work continuously at a temperature of up to 120 ºC for an extended period of time. Commonly known as Nylon filament, is semi-flexible and its behavior derives from a semicrystalline structure, which imparts strength and durability, best suited for the most demanding technical applications, within 3D printing. A low coefficient of friction allows for short-term use in contact with moving parts.
Nylon filament is a technical and competent material with excellent impact strength and elongation at break. However, all this impact strength is compensated by a low level of stiffness that allows flexible applications as shown in the following graph.
Which are the applications of Nylon filament?
The most common applications where Nylon filament is the right material for 3D printing:
- Strong and flexible parts
- Structural components exposed to a harsh environment
- Parts demanding high fatigue endurance
- Bearings, nuts, rivets, washers, and gears
- Cams, rollers, snap-fit joints, and sliding components
- Plugs, connectors, jigs, and fixtures
- Electronic covers and tool handles
Properties of Nylon Filament
- Exceptional impact resistance and good strength
- Low friction coefficient
- High abrasion resistance
- Thermal resistance (up to 120ºC)
- Good resistance to oil and alkali
- Strongly hygroscopic
- Thermomechanical properties dependent on environmental humidity
How to 3D print with BCN3D using Nylon filament
For the best 3D print settings for the Nylon filament, always use the latest version of BCN3D Cura and select the preset profiles. Also, make sure that your printer has the latest firmware update. Nylon filament is compatible with all BCN3D Printers, the Sigma, the Sigmax, and the Epsilon.
Printer settings
BCN3D Nylon filament is printed at temperatures between 220° C – 250° C. The ideal temperature depends on the nozzle size and profiles you are using. The bed recommended temperature is 95ºC.
Adhesion
To ensure good bed adhesion use Magigoo. Magigoo is ideal to achieve good adhesion between the 3D printed part and the printing surface glass of your 3D printer in order to keep the part fixed.
Nylon filament recommendations
- Store it in an airtight container with desiccant.
- Nylon filament is hygroscopic, which means that it tends to absorb water from the air. That’s why we recommend drying the filament before printing. You can do it by placing it in an oven or in a dehydrator at 50ºC for 6 to 8 hours.
- In case you are using Nylon filament in a Sigma or Sigmax 3D printer, an enclosure is required to avoid warping.
