Choosing the best printer machine can be such a tremendous hustle. Primarily due to the various printer machines available in the market. Getting a suitable printing filament depends on quite a several reasons. What is your budget range? What are the intended use and other specification?
This article has chosen the best 3D printing filament: PETG VS NYLON. We will discuss each printing filament’s uses, differences, and pros and cons.
By the end of this article, you will be able to make an easy decision when buying a 3D filament. You will also get to know the frequently asked questions on the printing filaments.
PETG VS NYLON
PETG and Nylon are the top 3D printer filaments. They both accomplish their task as required. However, each of the two printing filaments has some challenges. To help you understand the two filaments, we will describe them in detail.
- PETG: PETG stands for polyethylene terephthalate glycol. It is a type of Plastic that enhances glycol to make the most chemical, temperature-resistant, and affordable material. This thermoplastic material is mainly used in food containers.
- NYLON: Nylon is a synthetic polymer. Its flexible property makes it ideal for manufacturing some of the essential items like clothes, combs, toothbrushes, and tires. Nylon materials are chemical resistant and heat resistant. They are more flexible than PETG.
To help you make an accurate decision when choosing the best filament for your printing machine, we have broken down the differences between the filaments used in a 3Dprinting machine.
Related:
Comparison between PETG and Nylon.
PETG and Nylon are ideal printing filaments for 3D printing machines. However, there are some properties where PETG is better than Nylon and others where Nylon has the best quality.
Below is a table on the significant comparison between PETG and Nylon.
PROPERTIES of PETG
- Strength: strong
- Flexibility: Rigid
- Durability: Less durable
- Resistance: Good resistance
- Moisture absorption: Moisture absorption resistant
- Ease of use: Easy to use
- Affordability: Less expensive
PROPERTIES of NYLON
- Strength: Less strong
- Flexibility: flexible
- Durability: More durable
- Resistance: Good resistance
- Moisture absorption: Absorbs water
- Ease of use: A bit complicated
- Affordability: expensive
To understand how each of the materials works on a printing machine, we will discuss the properties of each.
Strength
When buying material, you should assess how strong the material is. Strength determines how well the material can fulfill its essential purpose and the amount of load it can manage.
There are different qualities of each of the materials. But based on the metrics, PETG is stronger than Nylon with a difference of more than 10MPa. This is because PETG has 50MPa and Nylon approximately 40MPa.
Depending on the difference in application, some printing works better with Nylon printing fillers, while others are more suitable for use with PETG printing filament.
Flexibility and Durability
Flexibility and durability affect the quality of the printing produced. For example, if you want to print for objects that move around, Nylon is the best material.
Nylon is more Flexible than PETG. This is what makes its application more diverse. In addition, Nylon can withstand pressure screws and chemicals.
On the other hand, PETG is more rigid than Nylon, but it cannot withstand adverse conditions like excess heat and screws.
Resistance and Hygroscopicity
The efficiency of a material depends on how resistant they are to two conditions such as heat and chemicals.
PETG and Nylon materials have different reactions to different chemicals. Both materials have excellent resistance to alcohol. However, Nylon is more resistant to heat than PETG. However, PETG has a high water resistance compared to Nylon, which absorbs water when it comes to water resistance.
Consider the application when using the PETG printing filaments and Nylon printing filaments.
Ease of use
Time spent using something for a job determines how well the job is done. PETG printing filament does not require extra reinforcements. However, Nylon materials warp a lot. Therefore, you will have to use a bed adhesive using Nylon 3D printing filaments.
You will consume more time when using the Nylon printing filament.
Nylon material produces less odor than PETG materials.
Affordability
The cost of the materials varies due to various reasons like strength, durability, and resistance. For example, nylon materials might be the most used for 3D printing. However, they are more expensive than PETG 3D printing filaments.
Both materials have a fair resistance to most conditions depending on the application. Therefore they can be used for different applications and are safe to use.
We will look at the cons and pros of using each of the materials in 3D printing.
Related: Nylon 3D Printer Review
What to expect if you use Nylon 3d printing filament as a printing material on a 3D printer
Nylon is flexible, and its durability makes it one of the best 3d printing filaments. In addition, you can use nylon printing with temperatures of approximately 250 ºC.
Nylon comes with its negativity. Due to its flexibility, more reinforcements are needed when using it. You can use a hotbed or adhesive to keep the nylon 3d printing filament.
Another huge inconvenience of using Nylon 3d printing filament is that it is hygroscopic. That means that Nylon is a high absorber of water. Therefore it cannot be used in quite a several printing services.
Pros
- Nylon 3D printing filaments are flexible.
- Quite a several brands produce Polyamide 3D printing Filaments.
- They are high impact resistant. Nylon materials are resistant to high temperatures and resistance to some chemical components.
- Synthetic materials are strong enough to withstand adverse conditions.
- Synthetic polymer printing filament does not produce an odor when used in printing machines.
- They are readily available in stores and last longer.
- The hydrogen bonds in the nylon material make it flexible therefore suitable for making cable wire.
- They provide a smooth finish.
Cons
- Nylon 3D printing filaments are susceptible to warping.
- Synthetic polymer materials are a bit pricey.
- They are highly hygroscopic. Nylon 3D printing filament should be stored in airtight containers to avoid damages.
- The nylon material has improperly dried filaments that can affect the print quality.
- Nylon materials are not environmentally friendly.
- Polyamide 3D printing Filaments are not ideal for cold and humid environments.
- It takes a lot of reinforcements to use the Nylon 3D printing filament.
Nylon materials are not only used for 3d printing. You can design clothes, wallets, phone cases, candle holders, and many more uses.
You can also get nylon materials in different vibrant colors.
Tips of using Nylon as a 3D printing Filament
Dry the filament before printing:
if you want to achieve the best results when printing using the Nylon printing Filament, make sure it is dry. This is because Nylon is hygroscopic.
A dry Nylon printing filament provides a smooth, flawless finish. Nylon is a bit shiny than PETG.
Ensure you store the Nylon 3D printing filament in a dry airtight container to prevent water absorption.
Use a heated bed:
Nylon is susceptible to warp. To ensure warping does not affect your printing, make sure you layer a hotbed with adhesive glue. The tacky glue is readily available and affordable.
The bed should have a temperature of about 60°C to 65°C. However, the temperatures ranges depend on the brand of Nylon. Avoid printing in cool rooms to prevent the Nylon from absorbing moisture.
Choose the highest quality Nylon:
There are a variety of nylon 3D printing filaments brands. Make sure you have researched the brand you want to settle on for your printing.
PETG is a 3D printing Filament.
PETG is made by mixing glycol with polyethylene terephthalate. The addition of glycol makes the filaments more clear than nylon 3D printing filaments. However, you cannot use the printing filament at high temperatures.
This type of printing filament has high strength and is flexible but cannot match Nylon’s flexibility.
Polypropylene materials are warping resistant. Therefore, you do not require additional reinforcements when using 3D printing machines. Thus it takes less time to print using PETG rather than Nylon.
You can, however, customize how you are using PETG 3D printing filament. This can only be done by gauging to what extent the material can withstand temperatures and what chemicals the material reacts to.
Pros
- PETG has a high level of water resistance. It can therefore be used in humid areas.
- Glycol enhanced PET is cheaper than Nylon materials.
- Despite being rigid, PETG is flexible enough for printing.
- You can customize your printing when using PETG 3D printing filaments.
- You do not need other printing support since PETG is warping-resistant.
- Polypropylene materials are easy to use and consume less time printing than Nylon.
- You do not need complicated instructions to use a Polyethylene terephthalate glycol 3D printing filament.
Cons
- Polypropylene materials are not UV resistant.
- PETG material can be too rigid to be used as a printing filament and are susceptible to cracking.
Tips of using PETG as a 3D printing Filament
Use a Glue Stick to increase adhesion:
If the adhesion of the PETG material to the surface of the heated bead is poor, consider using adhesive glue.
PETG has quite the adhesion to prevent the material from breaking after printing. Use hairspray to separate the surface and the material.
Take note of the settings of the 3d printing machine:
PETG can ooze a lot. This is because the strings made from the molten Plastic can cause a web that affects the printed project’s results.
The nozzle’s temperature should be tuned up to 260 °C, while the bed temperature is approximately 60 °C-85 °C. The fan speed is decreased to about 50%.
This should be adjusted per the manufactures manual. You can custom set your 3D printing machine settings until you are satisfied with the settings.
Handle with care:
PETG is prone to cracking and melting more than Nylon material if the print layers start to unravel when printing, reducing the fan’s speed to reduce the cooing rate.
PETG does not require many reinforcements like Nylon.
So what is the best 3D printing filament between PETG and Nylon?
There is no best 3D printing filament between PETG and Nylon per se. Both materials have their advantages and disadvantages. Again different applications work well with Nylon, while others work well with PETG.
So before choosing the material to use with 3D printing, make sure you have a clear outline of your need. Also, make sure to note the temperature required for your printing project. Nylon materials can withstand high temperatures more than PETG.
Your budget also impacts the decision you are to make. For example, PETG material is cheap and easy to use. In comparison, Nylon material is expensive but durable.
So many factors should be considered when choosing the ideal material for a printing project.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQS)
- Is PETG waterproof?
PETG is rigid. Therefore, the material can be used as a printing material in humid areas. PETG is not affected by temperature changes. They do not absorb water. Consequently, they can last longer without deforming. - Is PETG safe for food storage containers?
Yes. PETG is safe to be used as food storage containers and water bottles. However, PETG can react to some chemical components and high-temperature levels. They also do not absorb water, keeping the food in condition. - IS Nylon synthetic or Natural?
Nylon is one of the synthetic materials. It is a polymer made via a chemical process. - Is Nylon better than Plastic?
Nylon is heat resistant than Plastic and UV resistant than Plastic. It, however, absorbs water more than Plastic.
Conclusion
With all the information above, you will easily choose the suitable 3d printing filament.
If you live in humid areas, avoid using Nylon as the printing filament. However, consider Nylon as the printing filament if your projects require high temperatures.
Due to its high water absorbency, Nylon should be stored in a dry container. However, it would help if you also used an adhesive to prevent Nylon from warping.
Some brands are less durable than others, while others cannot withstand adverse conditions. Make sure you know the specifications of your printing project to choose the ideal brand.
To ensure that the material you are buying will serve you for the required period, read the customer’s reviews on the site you are buying.
Contents
