PA6
Polyamide 6 (Nylon 6)
9 products from 6 makers. Bambu Lab does not list this material for the H2C; its published process temperatures are within the printer's limits.
- Tensile modulus (XY)
- 2.1–3.3GPa
- as published · test bar not described as printed
- Tensile strength (XY)
- 50MPa
- one product
- Not published:
- tensile strength (Z).
- Notched Charpy impact
- 5–6.8kJ/m²
- as published · test bar not described as printed
- HDT at 0.45 MPa
- 60–186°C
- as published · test bar not described as printed, or no stated test load
- Price
- 163CAD/kg
- one product
PA6 is polyamide 6, or nylon 6. Makers sell it for end-use parts and wear-resistant uses, and a maker reports reduced shrinkage. It is semicrystalline, with a glass transition of 65.5 °C. On the H2C makers advise drying it at 60–100 °C, 2–12 h before printing.
Thinly documented Nine products, with values from 6 makers' documents. No document describes its tensile, impact and heat deflection bars as printed, so tensile modulus (XY), notched Charpy impact and HDT at 0.45 MPa are shown as published and not ranked against other materials. Read each figure as a few sheets' word.
On the H2C
Printing in full- Nozzle
- 250–280 °C
- most products that give one
- Bed
- 85–100 °C
- most products that give one
- Heated chamber
- 60 °C
- one product
- Drying
- 60–100 °C, 2–12 h
- 5 of 9 products call for it; 4 more give it as optional
- Nozzle type
- standard
- 3 say a standard nozzle is enough; the rest are silent
No product's setting is beyond the H2C's limits: nozzle 350 °C, bed 120 °C, heated chamber 65 °C.
Among the materials
Among the materials, PA6 sits in the middle half on every property it publishes comparably.
Against its alternatives, PA6 has the highest price
How does it compare with what an engineer would buy instead?
- PA6: its products' median and middle half
- an alternative
- lowest to highest
- each material's median (top row)
- set apart: test bar not described as printed, or no stated load
- beyond the scale
Each row is a material, each column a property: the bar is the middle half of a material's products, the tick their median, the hairline their lowest to highest; the ticks above the rows are every material's median.
The figure as a table
| Material | Modulus (XY) (GPa) | Strength (XY) (MPa) | Strength (Z) (MPa) | Notched Charpy (kJ/m²) | HDT 0.45 MPa (°C) | Price (CAD/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PA6 (this material) | 2.1–3.3 as published (6) | 50 · 1 | — | 5–6.8 as published (4) | 60–186 as published (5) | 163 · 0 |
| PA6-CF | 4.37 (4.09–4.61) · 6 | 70 (62.3–104) · 8 | 48 · 3 | 13.4 · 3 | 193 (185–202) · 6 | 130 (113–160) · 4 |
| PA6-GF | 4.35 (3.91–4.66) · 4 | 82.3 (76.3–87.9) · 6 | 60.7 · 3 | 8.6 · 2 | 186 (181–191) · 7 | 84 · 3 |
| PLA | 2.58 (2–2.88) · 61 | 45 (39.5–53) · 83 | 30.3 (22.1–34) · 40 | 6 (3.97–7.9) · 14 | 56 (53–58) · 50 | 33 (28–40) · 27 |
| PETG | 1.69 (1.42–1.95) · 24 | 47 (40.3–50.6) · 34 | 30.2 (28–36.5) · 16 | 6 (4.76–8) · 10 | 70 (69–71) · 32 | 26 (25–32) · 11 |
| ABS | 2.2 (2.02–2.25) · 13 | 34.5 (33–35.6) · 18 | 27.3 (24.6–28.3) · 12 | 20 (18–21.5) · 7 | 95 (89–99) · 18 | 40 (31–52) · 9 |
PA6 publishes no tensile strength (Z). Its tensile modulus (XY), notched Charpy impact and HDT at 0.45 MPa state no orientation, so they are drawn as published.
Mechanical properties
Printed flat (XY), PA6 typically reaches a tensile strength of 50 MPa.
| Product | Tensile strength (XY) | Tensile modulus (XY) | Elongation at break (XY) | Notched Charpy impact | Notched Izod impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum pa6 neat bk | 78 MPanot described as printed | 3.4 GPanot described as printed | not published | not published | not published |
| FormFutura STYX PA6 | 50 MPa | 2.9 GPanot described as printed | 1.9 %not described as printed | 6.8 kJ/m²not described as printed | not published |
| Spectrum PA6 Low Warp | 50 MPanot described as printed | 2.9 GPanot described as printed | 1.9 %not described as printed | 6.8 kJ/m²not described as printed | not published |
| Spectrum PA6 Neat NT | 80 MPanot described as printed | 3.3 GPanot described as printed | not published | not published | not published |
| Fillamentum Fishy Filaments’ | 59 MPanot described as printed | 2.2 GPanot described as printed | 51 %not described as printed | 5 kJ/m²not described as printed | not published |
| Nanovia PA-6 | 51 MPanot described as printed | 2.1 GPanot described as printed | > 50 %not described as printed | 6 kJ/m²not described as printed | 5 kJ/m²not described as printed |
| SIDDAMENT PA | not published | not published | 10 %not described as printed | not published | 95 kJ/m²not described as printed |
| Nanovia PA Rail | 27 MPa | 3.59 GPa | not published | not published | not published |
| 3DXTECH WearX Wear | 62 MPanot described as printed | 2.46 GPanot described as printed | 18 %not described as printed | not published | not published |
Not published for PA6: strength across the layers.
Thermal properties
Its glass transition is 55–76 °C. As published, Vicat softening is typically 193 °C and melting typically 198 °C.
| Product | HDT at 0.45 MPa | HDT at 1.8 MPa | Glass transition (Tg) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum pa6 neat bk | not published | 90 °Cnot described as printed | not published |
| FormFutura STYX PA6 | 60 °Cnot described as printed | not published | not published |
| Spectrum PA6 Low Warp | 60 °Cnot described as printed | not published | not published |
| Spectrum PA6 Neat NT | not published | 90 °Cnot described as printed | not published |
| Fillamentum Fishy Filaments’ | not published | not published | 55 °C |
| Nanovia PA-6 | 140 °Cnot described as printed | 50 °Cnot described as printed | not published |
| SIDDAMENT PA | 186 °Cnot described as printed | not published | not published |
| Nanovia PA Rail | not published | 90 °Cnot described as printed | not published |
| 3DXTECH WearX Wear | 143 °Cnot described as printed | not published | 76 °C |
Printing on the H2C
PA6 prints within the H2C's limits and softens near 66 °C, above its 65 °C chamber
What does printing it on the H2C take, and how hot can a part get?
- share of the products that accept each temperature
- what most products accept
- the H2C's limit, and beyond it
- a product
- PA6: its products' median and middle half
- as published, under each sheet's own test
Printing it on the H2C
In service
°C
One temperature axis for the settings a print needs and the temperatures a part meets. A setting's shade is how many of the products whose sheets give a window accept each degree; the H2C's limit closes its row.
The figure as a table
| Setting or property | Most products, or the median | Products | H2C limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nozzle | 250–280 °C | 7 | 350 °C |
| Bed | 85–100 °C | 7 | 120 °C |
| Heated chamber | 60 °C | 1 | 65 °C |
| Drying | 60–100 °C, 2–12 h | 6 | — |
| Glass transition (Tg) | 66 °C | 2 | — |
| Vicat softening temperature | 190–195 °C | 2 | — |
| Melting temperature | 185–220 °C | 5 | — |
Windows read from the Bambu Lab Filament Guide are not shaded: the guide speaks for every product that reads it.
| Setting | Most PA6 products |
|---|---|
| Nozzle | 250–280 °C most products that give one |
| Bed | 85–100 °C most products that give one |
| Heated chamber | 60 °C one product |
| Drying | 60–100 °C, 2–12 h 5 of 9 products call for it; 4 more give it as optional |
| Nozzle type | standard 3 say a standard nozzle is enough; the rest are silent |
Where a product's own sheet is silent, its setting comes from a sheet it shares or from the Bambu Lab Filament Guide; each product's card says which.
What makers say about printing it
Warping and shrinkage
low linear processing shrinkage (0.3%)
Spectrum pa6 neat bk, data sheet, p. 1
Moisture sensitivity
Drying Recommendations: 90°C for 4-6 Hours
3DXTECH WearX Wear Resistant PA6 Copolymer, data sheet, p. 1
More from makers: printing advice, nozzle wear, adhesion between layers and supports and removal
Printing advice
Print Bed Enclosure: Recommended
3DXTECH WearX Wear Resistant PA6 Copolymer, data sheet, p. 1
Nozzle wear
Ruby or hardened nozzle not necessary
Spectrum pa6 neat bk, data sheet, p. 1
Adhesion between layers
a very high adhesion between layers, which minimises the risk of delamination
Spectrum PA6 Low Warp, data sheet, p. 1
Supports and removal
Supporting Material: Self-supporting, PVA
SIDDAMENT PA, data sheet, p. 2
Products
9 products from 6 makers; the most from Spectrum (3) and Nanovia (2).
- Most documented: Nanovia PA-6, with values for more properties than any other.
These are published values, not recommendations: the selector judges each product against your requirements.
Uses, limitations and chemicals
What it is sold for
With an operational temperature of around 120 °C. Nanovia PA Rail is suited for the creation of objects meant of high hazard risk environments.
Nanovia PA Rail, data sheet, p. 1This makes STYX PA6 a versatile nylon filament for 3D printing end-use parts.
FormFutura STYX PA6, data sheet, p. 1Porthcurno is best suited for artistic and decorative 3D printing projects, as its unique appearance makes it a great choice for creating intricate and visually interesting designs.
Fillamentum Fishy Filaments’ Porthcurno, maker's product page or guide, p. 1
What makers warn about
Formulated for enhanced wear resistance under dry conditions, but the addition of external lubricants will extend wear-life
3DXTECH WearX Wear Resistant PA6 Copolymer, maker's product page or guide, p. 1Nanovia PA Rail raw material EN45545-2 Test results
Nanovia PA Rail, data sheet, p. 1
Finish and accuracy
Sustainable 3D printing filament made from recycled fishing nets with a translucent appearance resembling the sea.
Fillamentum Fishy Filaments’ Porthcurno, maker's product page or guide, p. 1Excellent printability with a more matte surface than unfilled PA6-66 copolymers
3DXTECH WearX Wear Resistant PA6 Copolymer, maker's product page or guide, p. 1
Chemicals and environment
| Exposure | What makers say |
|---|---|
| Flammability | Described in words, with no rating, in its one statement |
| Organic solvent resistance | Described in words, with no rating, in all 4 statements |
| UV and outdoor | Described in words, with no rating, in both statements |
| Oil and grease resistance | Described in words, with no rating, in its one statement |
| Acid resistance | Described in words, with no rating, in its one statement |
| Alkali resistance | Described in words, with no rating, in its one statement |
Makers rarely give the concentration, temperature or duration: treat them as indications, not design data. Each product's statements are on its card.
Where no maker of these products speaks to an exposure, reference data for plain PA6 resin is shown. Fillers, pigments and printing change it, so it does not stand for these products.
| PA6 resin | Verdict | Agents |
|---|---|---|
| Water solubility | resistant | Water (including seawater) (resistant) |
| Hydrolytic stability | not resistant | Steam, 100 °C (limited), Steam sterilization, 134 °C, over 50 cycles (DIN 58946 parts 1-5) (not resistant) and Water or aqueous solutions at high temperature (limited) |
Density and price
PA6's density is typically 1,150 kg/m³, the middle half 1,140–1,170 kg/m³, across 7 products. No PA6 product has a price in the sample.
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Spectrum pa6 neat bk | 163 CAD/kg |
Regular prices, never sale prices, from 9 Canadian shops and 10 foreign shops, sampled 10 Sep–20 Oct 2026, not live; shipping and tax are not included.
Other properties, as published
8 more properties are published, each under its own sheet's test conditions, so they are listed, not ranked.
The 8 properties, lowest to highest
| Property | Products | Lowest–highest |
|---|---|---|
| Water absorption | 6 | 0.3–9.5 % |
| Continuous service temperature | 3 | 120 °C |
| Tensile strain at strength | 3 | 1.5–4.4 % |
| Melt mass-flow rate | 2 | 5.1–5.5 g/10 min |
| Mould shrinkage | 2 | 0.3–0.5 % |
| Impact strength, test unclear | 1 | 5 kJ/m² |
| Melt volume-flow rate | 1 | 120 cm³/10 min |
| Surface resistivity | 1 | 1 × 10⁹ Ω |
Estimated values
No product publishes values of tensile modulus (XY), elongation at break (XY) and HDT at 0.45 MPa that can be ranked, so the selector estimates them from the products' related values and similar materials. An estimate is a range, never a product's value, and nothing above rests on it.
| Property | Likely | Plausible | Precision | Beside what is published |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile modulus (XY) | 1.3–3.7 GPa | 1.0–4.8 GPa | a factor of 2.8 between its ends | six products give 2.1–3.3 GPa without a stated orientation, inside it |
| Elongation at break (XY) | 52–113 % | 50–187 % | a factor of 2.2 between its ends | six products give 1.9–51 % without a stated orientation, below the likely range |
| HDT at 0.45 MPa | 83–145 °C | 69–159 °C | 62 °C between its ends | five products give 60–186 °C without a stated test load, at its low end |
What likely and plausible mean
Tested against known values, a likely range held the true value 8 times in 10, and a plausible range 19 times in 20. How the estimates are made.
Sources
18 documents from 7 publishers (10 data sheets, 5 makers' product pages and guides, 2 safety data sheets and 1 printer document), read 10 Sep–5 Oct 2026. Each value on PA6's Products page names its document and page, and links to the original.
Bambu Lab, H2C Filamant Printing Guide (the H2C's printer guide): print settings for 9 products.
Every document (18), by publisher
| Publisher | Documents | Values | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spectrum | 5 | 33 | 3 |
| Nanovia | 5 | 23 | 2 |
| Fillamentum | 3 | 12 | 1 |
| 3DXTECH | 2 | 9 | 1 |
| FormFutura | 1 | 13 | 1 |
| SIDDAMENT | 1 | 8 | 1 |
- 3DXTECH, Technical Data Sheet: WearX™ Wear Resistant PA6 Copolymer 3D Filament
- 3DXTECH, WEARX™ NYLON 6
- Bambu Lab, H2C Filamant Printing Guide | Bambu Lab Wiki
- Fillamentum, Drying of filaments before processing on 3D printer
- Fillamentum, Fishy Filaments’ Porthcurno by Fillamentum
- Fillamentum, Porthcurno
- FormFutura, Technical Data Sheet STYX PA6
- Nanovia, Nanovia PA Rail : EN 45545-2 : Nanovia
- Nanovia, Nanovia PA Rail raw material EN45545-2 Test results
- Nanovia, Nanovia PA-6 : High resistance : Nanovia
- Nanovia, PA Rail official material safety data sheet
- Nanovia, PA-6 official material safety data sheet
- SIDDAMENT, PA - Technical Datasheet
- Spectrum, 3D Printing Filament Manufacturer PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
- Spectrum, pa6 neat bk
- Spectrum, Spectrum Filaments Product Portfolio 2025 — Prografen pp28–29
- Spectrum, TECHNICAL DATA SHEET PA6 Low Warp
- Spectrum, TECHNICAL DATA SHEET PA6 Neat NT