Nylon (PA) vs Carbon-fiber nylon: cost compared
Carbon fiber adds stiffness and roughly doubles material cost. It also needs a hardened nozzle, so count that wear.
| Nylon (PA) | Carbon-fiber nylon | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per 100 cm³ of solid part | $6.21 | $9.36 |
| Example print (preset) | $12.22 | $15.65 |
| Typical spool price | $40–70 per kg | $60–100 per kg |
| Density | about 1.1–1.15 g/cm³ | about 1.15–1.2 g/cm³ |
| Nozzle / bed | 240–280 °C / 70–90 °C | 260–290 °C / 80–100 °C |
| Enclosure | Recommended; dry filament | — |
Typical published ranges and mid-range prices. Example prints use each page's calculator preset. Cost per volume accounts for density: a lighter filament gives more parts per kilogram.
Choose Nylon (PA) for
Toughness and flexibility
- It absorbs moisture within hours, so store it sealed.
Choose Carbon-fiber nylon for
Stiff end-use and structural parts
- It's abrasive and moisture-sensitive. Store it in a dry box.
What changes the comparison
- Running a filament dryer for 4–8 hours adds about 50–100 W during that time. Add it to the print hours if you want it counted.
- A failure rate of 8–12% is common while you dial it in.
- At $80/kg, every 100 g is $8.00 of material.
- Drying and enclosure heat add to electricity.
More comparisons
Know your cost. Now check the demand.
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