Nylon vs Polycarbonate (PC) for 3D printing
Choose Nylon for living hinges; choose Polycarbonate (PC) for electronics enclosures.
Nylon — starting price
$10.00 / part
Tough, flexible, fatigue-resistant. Great for living hinges and gears.
Full Nylon guidePolycarbonate (PC) — starting price
$10.00 / part
High-impact, high-heat engineering material. Electronics enclosures, under-hood parts.
Full Polycarbonate (PC) guideSide by side
| Property | Nylon | Polycarbonate (PC) |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | High, fatigue-resistant | Very high impact strength |
| Flexibility | Moderate, springy | Low |
| Heat resistance | High | Very high |
| Friction | Low (self-lubricating) | — |
| Clarity | — | Optically clear |
| Density | 1.1 g/cm³ | 1.2 g/cm³ |
| Starting price | $10.00 / part | $10.00 / part |
Choose Nylon when…
- Living hinges
- Gears and bushings
- Low-friction moving parts
- Parts that flex repeatedly
Reach for something else for
- High-detail cosmetic parts — PLA is crisper and cheaper
Choose Polycarbonate (PC) when…
- Electronics enclosures
- Under-hood and high-heat parts
- Impact-critical parts
- Clear or light-transmitting parts
Reach for something else for
- Budget prototypes — PLA is far cheaper
Still not sure?
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