ABS vs PA6
How ABS and PA6 compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- PA6 is tougher and more flexible.
- PA6 typically prints about 25 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- ABS typically prints about 10 °C hotter on the bed.
- ABS is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 35 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 151 ABS filaments in 1,021 colours, and 69 PA6 filaments in 119 colours.
At a glance
Our rating, out of 5| ABS | PA6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of printing | ||
| Toughness | Tougher | |
| Stiffness | ||
| Heat resistance | ||
| Outdoor and UV | ||
| Flexibility | More flexible | |
| Setup | Needs an enclosure, Needs ventilation | Needs an enclosure, Dry before printing |
| ABS | PA6 | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene | Nylon 6 (polyamide 6) |
| Filaments listed | 151 | 69 |
| Brands | 72 | 28 |
| Colours | 1,021 | 119 |
| Nozzle temperature | 230–260 °C | 250–290 °C |
| Bed temperature | 90–110 °C | 80–100 °C |
| Density | 1.04 g/cm³ | 1.14 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 400 m | about 365 m |
| Max drying temperature | 80 °C | 80 °C |
Temperatures are medians across each material's filaments, rounded to 5 °C. Always check the maker's settings for a specific filament.
Brands that make both
25 brands make both ABS and PA6; these have the most of each.