PA6 vs PCTG
How PA6 and PCTG compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- PA6 is more heat resistant and more flexible; PCTG is easier to print and better outdoors.
- PA6 typically prints about 25 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- PA6 typically prints about 10 °C hotter on the bed.
- PA6 is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 27 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 69 PA6 filaments in 119 colours, and 26 PCTG filaments in 151 colours.
At a glance
Our rating, out of 5| PA6 | PCTG | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of printing | Easier to print | |
| Toughness | ||
| Stiffness | ||
| Heat resistance | More heat resistant | |
| Outdoor and UV | Better outdoors | |
| Flexibility | More flexible | |
| Setup | Needs an enclosure, Dry before printing | No enclosure or special setup needed |
| PA6 | PCTG | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Nylon 6 (polyamide 6) | Polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate glycol |
| Filaments listed | 69 | 26 |
| Brands | 28 | 13 |
| Colours | 119 | 151 |
| Nozzle temperature | 250–290 °C | 230–260 °C |
| Bed temperature | 80–100 °C | 70–90 °C |
| Density | 1.14 g/cm³ | 1.23 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 365 m | about 338 m |
| Max drying temperature | 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
5 brands make both PA6 and PCTG.