PA (Nylon) Filament
The tough, wear-resistant workhorse of engineering plastics. Nylon combines high strength, fatigue resistance, low friction, and chemical resistance — the material behind gears, bearings, living hinges, and functional end-use parts that have to keep moving.
What is nylon (PA) filament?
Nylon (PA, polyamide) is a family of tough, semi-crystalline engineering thermoplastics — grades like PA6, PA12, and PA6/66 — prized for strength, abrasion resistance, low friction, and fatigue endurance. It's the go-to for gears, bushings, living hinges, snap-fits, and durable functional parts.
Nylon's biggest challenge is that it is strongly hygroscopic — it absorbs moisture from the air aggressively, and wet nylon prints badly (stringing, popping, weak layers). Drying before and during printing is non-negotiable. Higher print temperatures (250–270 °C) and an enclosure help control warping.
Nylon vs PC vs PETG — how to choose
Match the material to the mechanical demand:
For added stiffness and stability, choose a carbon- or glass-filled nylon (PA-CF / PA-GF) — both stocked at Rev1.
Printing nylon successfully
- Dry it — always. Nylon is highly hygroscopic; dry before printing and keep it dry in a heated box or dry-spool feed.
- Nozzle 250–270 °C, bed 70–90 °C — exact temps vary by grade.
- Use an enclosure to reduce warping and improve layer bonding.
- Strong bed adhesion — use a garolite/PA-friendly surface or glue for the first layer.
- Expect some dimensional change as parts re-absorb moisture; design tolerances accordingly.
Nylon brands stocked at Rev1
Rev1 Technologies stocks nylon (PA) filament from multiple brands, all shipped from Auburn Hills, Michigan with real phone support. Use the brand filter below to narrow the range, or call (248) 707-2950 for spec, bulk, and color-match help.