Nylon absorbs moisture faster than any other filament. Here's how to dry it properly — and keep it dry between prints.
Nylon (Polyamide) has polar amide groups in its polymer chain that actively attract water molecules. A sealed spool can absorb noticeable moisture in just 6-8 hours of open-air exposure.
Result: Wet Nylon prints poorly — bubbling, stringing, poor layer adhesion, weak parts.
| Method | Temperature | Duration | Effectiveness |
|---|---|---|---|
| Filament Dryer (PrintDry, Sunlu) ⭐ | 70-80°C | 8-12 hrs | Excellent — can print-while-dry |
| Food Dehydrator | 70°C | 8-12 hrs | Excellent — even heat |
| Oven | 70-80°C | 8-12 hrs | Good — verify temp with thermometer |
| Printer Heated Bed | 70°C | 12-16 hrs | Slow — emergency only |
Temperature warning: Do not exceed 85°C for Nylon. Above 90°C it can anneal or deform. 70-80°C is the safe sweet spot for PA6 and PA12.
Remove spool from sealed bag (if new) or storage container
Place in dryer/dehydrator — ensure air can circulate around spool
Set temperature to 75°C (compromise between PA6 and PA12)
Dry for minimum 8 hours. 12 hours for very wet filament.
Optional: Do a test print mid-drying (6h mark) to check improvement
After drying: immediately seal in airtight container with desiccant
OR: Print immediately while still warm from dryer
Drying fixes wet filament. Storage prevents it from getting wet again. Nylon re-absorbs moisture in hours, so storage is critical.
📦 Airtight Container + Silica Gel
Best budget solution. Sterilite/IKEA container with rechargeable silica gel. Target: <15% RH inside.
🔄 Print-While-Dry Filament Dryer
PrintDry Pro, eSun eBOX-Lite. Keeps Nylon at 50-60°C while printing. No moisture re-absorption between prints.
💨 Dry Cabinet
Electronic dry cabinet (PCB storage type). Maintains <10% RH automatically. Expensive ($150-400) but hands-off.
🛍️ Vacuum-Seal Bags
Vacuum seal with desiccant packs between uses. Good for long-term storage (months). Pain for frequent access.
| Nylon Type | Drying Temp | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| PA6 (Nylon 6) | 70-75°C | More moisture-sensitive than PA12 |
| PA12 (Nylon 12) | 75-80°C | Slightly more heat-resistant |
| PA6/66 Blend | 70-75°C | Follow PA6 guidelines |
| Carbon Fiber Nylon (PA-CF) | 75-80°C | Same as base Nylon type |
Drying temp: 70-80°C
Drying time: 8-12 hours
Storage RH target: <15%
Re-absorption time: 6-8 hours (open air)
Best dryer: Print-while-dry box