PA6-GF, PA612-CF and PA12-CF printed to order. For gears and guides, and in our experience for parts that slide across something else.
Nylon is a common choice for moving work: gears, guides and slide blocks. Unfilled nylon takes up moisture and can soften in heat, so we print it fibre reinforced, because that makes it stiffer and raises the heat deflection temperature. Fibre does not stop the moisture uptake, though: a damp part gets less stiff and loses some heat resistance, most for PA6-GF and least for PA12-CF. Keep it dry.
Which of the three fits depends on how hot it gets, how stiff it has to be and how damp it will be.
The highest heat resistance of the three: about 180 C without load and about 145 C under load, dry and after annealing (the heat deflection temperature from the manufacturer minus a 10 C margin). It also takes up the most moisture, and damp it loses much of its stiffness. Also the most UV sensitive, so not the choice for outdoor work.
Stiff: about 165 C without load and about 100 C under load, dry and after annealing. It takes up less moisture than PA6-GF. For guides and stops that have to stay true.
Takes up the least moisture of the three and keeps its stiffness best when damp, so it holds its size better after a damp winter. About 120 C without load and about 95 C under load, dry and after annealing.
Typical work: gears and pulleys, guides and slide blocks, cable guidance, hinged parts, and replacements for places where the original polymer gave out.
If the part must not build up a charge either, PA612 also comes in an ESD grade. If it has to hang outdoors, do not choose nylon but ASA: nylon and UV do not get along.
With a 3D file, the quote tool shows your price straight away. Just a photo with dimensions? Email it to info@nworks3d.be and you will hear which nylon fits.