PETG and nylon are both strong, but they earn it in different places. PETG is the tough, easy filament for everyday parts. Nylon is the wear and heat specialist for gears and loaded parts.
How they compare
The table maps their differences. PETG leads ease. Nylon leads wear, friction, and heat.
| Property | PETG | Nylon |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of print | Medium | Hard |
| Wear resistance | Medium | High |
| Low friction | Medium | High |
| Heat resistance | Medium | High |
| Drying need | Yes | Yes, a lot |
| Needs enclosure | No | Yes |
| Best for | Tough parts | Gears, wear, warm parts |
When to pick PETG
Pick PETG for tough parts that stay indoors and do not slide against another surface. It prints at 240 to 260 °C with no enclosure, per the Prusament PETG datasheet. It is the easier path to a durable part.
When to pick nylon
Pick nylon for gears, sliders, and parts that face friction or warmth. The Polymaker PolyMide CoPA datasheet rates its heat resistance to 180 °C. The cost is printing difficulty: nylon is highly hygroscopic and abrades brass nozzles.
Frequently asked
Is nylon stronger than PETG?
Is nylon harder to print than PETG?
Which is better for gears?
Does nylon handle more heat than PETG?
For more, read the PETG guide or PLA versus nylon. For the strongest filament overall, see which filament is strongest.
Related guides
Related
Sources & methodology
4 citations · reviewed 2026-07-09- 01Prusament PETG Technical Datasheetaccessed 2026-07-06Tier 1
- 02Polymaker PolyMide CoPA (Nylon) Technical Data Sheetaccessed 2026-07-09Tier 1
- 03All3DP All 3D Printing Filament Types Explainedaccessed 2026-06-29Tier 2
- 043DSourced Complete 3D Printer Filament Guideaccessed 2026-06-29Tier 2