Bambu Lab X2D Filament Guide

Database-driven material guidance, support compatibility, drying information, and X2D-specific recommendations.

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19 materials shown

General-Purpose Filaments

Filament	Description	Use cases	Advantages	Disadvantages	Drying	Printing tips	X2D guidance	Support materials
PLA	Rigid, low-temperature material and the standard choice for general printing.	Prototypes, organizers, decorative parts, toys, models, and lightly loaded brackets.	Easy to print; excellent detail; low warping; inexpensive; broad color selection.	Relatively brittle; poor heat resistance; can soften in a hot vehicle or direct summer heat; limited fatigue resistance.	4–6 hr 113–122°F <20% (Ideal <15%)	Use a 0.4 mm nozzle for general work. Print with little or no chamber heat; vent or open the enclosure during long PLA prints to reduce heat creep. Use moderate part cooling after the first layers. Dry if brittle, stringy, or producing a rough surface.	Best default material. Use the standard 0.4 mm nozzle. Chamber heating is unnecessary; opening the door or venting may help on long PLA prints.	Support for PLA/PETG or Support for PLA (interface only); PVA for soluble support; PLA for ordinary breakaway supports.
PLA Matte	PLA formulated for a subdued, non-reflective finish.	Display models, architectural pieces, enclosures, and decorative objects.	Attractive finish; layer lines are less visible; easy to print.	Usually slightly weaker and more brittle than basic PLA; matte additives can reduce layer adhesion.	4–6 hr 113–122°F <20%	Use standard PLA hardware and moderate speeds. Matte additives can weaken layer bonding, so increase wall count rather than relying on high infill for functional parts. Avoid excessive chamber heat and dry if surface quality declines.	Prints well with standard PLA settings. Excellent for cosmetic parts that are not mechanically demanding.	Support for PLA/PETG or Support for PLA (interface only); PVA; matching PLA for ordinary supports.
PLA Silk / Metal-Effect PLA	PLA containing additives that create a glossy or metallic appearance.	Figurines, trophies, decorative components, and signage.	High visual impact; smooth-looking surfaces; easy general printability.	Lower mechanical reliability; weaker layer adhesion; more prone to splitting under load.	4–6 hr 113–122°F <20%	Best treated as decorative material. Slow outer walls and use a consistent speed for uniform gloss. Add walls for strength, avoid thin load-bearing features, and expect weaker layer adhesion than ordinary PLA.	Treat as decorative rather than structural. Slower outer-wall speeds often improve gloss consistency.	Support for PLA/PETG or Support for PLA (interface only); PVA; standard PLA for the support body.
PLA-CF	PLA reinforced with chopped carbon fiber.	Stiff prototypes, fixtures, housings, dimensional test parts, and matte-finish components.	Greater stiffness; excellent dimensional stability; attractive matte texture; hides layer lines.	More brittle than many functional plastics; abrasive; not necessarily stronger against impact; limited heat resistance remains.	6 hr 122°F <15%	Use a hardened nozzle; 0.6 mm is preferred for reliable flow and reduced clogging. Avoid a 0.2 mm nozzle. Dry before critical prints. Carbon fiber increases stiffness and dimensional stability but can reduce impact resistance and layer-to-layer toughness.	The hardened-steel X2D nozzle is appropriate. Use 0.4 mm at minimum; 0.6 mm is safer for long prints and reduces clogging risk.	Support for PLA/PETG or Support for PLA (interface only); PVA; PLA-CF or PLA for ordinary supports.
PETG / PETG HF	A tougher general-purpose plastic positioned between PLA and engineering materials. HF formulations are optimized for faster printing.	Functional brackets, storage components, outdoor items with moderate exposure, guards, containers, and workshop parts.	Tougher and less brittle than PLA; good layer adhesion; moderate heat, water, and chemical resistance; relatively easy to print.	More stringing and oozing than PLA; can adhere too aggressively to smooth plates; scratches more easily; bridging is generally poorer.	4–6 hr 140–149°F <15%	Use a release layer on very smooth build plates because PETG can bond aggressively. Reduce cooling compared with PLA, tune retraction to control stringing, and keep the nozzle clean to prevent buildup. Dry when stringing, popping, or rough extrusion appears.	One of the best everyday functional materials for the X2D. The main hotend is the safest default.	Support for PLA/PETG (preferred interface); PVA when temperature-compatible; PLA can work as an experimental interface with careful purging.
PETG-CF	PETG reinforced with chopped carbon fiber.	Functional housings, fixtures, machine accessories, and dimensionally stable workshop parts.	Stiffer than ordinary PETG; reduced gloss; better dimensional stability; less visible layer texture.	Abrasive; more expensive; reduced ductility; carbon fiber does not automatically make the part impact-resistant.	6–8 hr 149°F <15%	Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle and dry thoroughly before printing. Keep speeds conservative if extrusion becomes inconsistent. Use enough walls for strength; fiber-filled PETG is stiffer but less ductile than unfilled PETG.	Support for PLA/PETG after profile validation; PETG-CF or PETG for ordinary supports.	Use the hardened nozzle, preferably 0.6 mm. Keep the filament dry and avoid the 0.2 mm nozzle.

PLA Rigid, low-temperature material and the standard choice for general printing. Details

Description: Rigid, low-temperature material and the standard choice for general printing.
Use cases: Prototypes, organizers, decorative parts, toys, models, and lightly loaded brackets.
Advantages: Easy to print; excellent detail; low warping; inexpensive; broad color selection.
Disadvantages: Relatively brittle; poor heat resistance; can soften in a hot vehicle or direct summer heat; limited fatigue resistance.
Drying: 4–6 hr at 113–122°F; store <20% (Ideal <15%)
Printing tips: Use a 0.4 mm nozzle for general work. Print with little or no chamber heat; vent or open the enclosure during long PLA prints to reduce heat creep. Use moderate part cooling after the first layers. Dry if brittle, stringy, or producing a rough surface.
X2D guidance: Best default material. Use the standard 0.4 mm nozzle. Chamber heating is unnecessary; opening the door or venting may help on long PLA prints.
Support materials: Support for PLA/PETG or Support for PLA (interface only); PVA for soluble support; PLA for ordinary breakaway supports.

PLA Matte PLA formulated for a subdued, non-reflective finish. Details

Description: PLA formulated for a subdued, non-reflective finish.
Use cases: Display models, architectural pieces, enclosures, and decorative objects.
Advantages: Attractive finish; layer lines are less visible; easy to print.
Disadvantages: Usually slightly weaker and more brittle than basic PLA; matte additives can reduce layer adhesion.
Drying: 4–6 hr at 113–122°F; store <20%
Printing tips: Use standard PLA hardware and moderate speeds. Matte additives can weaken layer bonding, so increase wall count rather than relying on high infill for functional parts. Avoid excessive chamber heat and dry if surface quality declines.
X2D guidance: Prints well with standard PLA settings. Excellent for cosmetic parts that are not mechanically demanding.
Support materials: Support for PLA/PETG or Support for PLA (interface only); PVA; matching PLA for ordinary supports.

PLA Silk / Metal-Effect PLA PLA containing additives that create a glossy or metallic appearance. Details

Description: PLA containing additives that create a glossy or metallic appearance.
Use cases: Figurines, trophies, decorative components, and signage.
Advantages: High visual impact; smooth-looking surfaces; easy general printability.
Disadvantages: Lower mechanical reliability; weaker layer adhesion; more prone to splitting under load.
Drying: 4–6 hr at 113–122°F; store <20%
Printing tips: Best treated as decorative material. Slow outer walls and use a consistent speed for uniform gloss. Add walls for strength, avoid thin load-bearing features, and expect weaker layer adhesion than ordinary PLA.
X2D guidance: Treat as decorative rather than structural. Slower outer-wall speeds often improve gloss consistency.
Support materials: Support for PLA/PETG or Support for PLA (interface only); PVA; standard PLA for the support body.

PLA-CF PLA reinforced with chopped carbon fiber. Details

Description: PLA reinforced with chopped carbon fiber.
Use cases: Stiff prototypes, fixtures, housings, dimensional test parts, and matte-finish components.
Advantages: Greater stiffness; excellent dimensional stability; attractive matte texture; hides layer lines.
Disadvantages: More brittle than many functional plastics; abrasive; not necessarily stronger against impact; limited heat resistance remains.
Drying: 6 hr at 122°F; store <15%
Printing tips: Use a hardened nozzle; 0.6 mm is preferred for reliable flow and reduced clogging. Avoid a 0.2 mm nozzle. Dry before critical prints. Carbon fiber increases stiffness and dimensional stability but can reduce impact resistance and layer-to-layer toughness.
X2D guidance: The hardened-steel X2D nozzle is appropriate. Use 0.4 mm at minimum; 0.6 mm is safer for long prints and reduces clogging risk.
Support materials: Support for PLA/PETG or Support for PLA (interface only); PVA; PLA-CF or PLA for ordinary supports.

PETG / PETG HF A tougher general-purpose plastic positioned between PLA and engineering materials. HF formulations… Details

Description: A tougher general-purpose plastic positioned between PLA and engineering materials. HF formulations are optimized for faster printing.
Use cases: Functional brackets, storage components, outdoor items with moderate exposure, guards, containers, and workshop parts.
Advantages: Tougher and less brittle than PLA; good layer adhesion; moderate heat, water, and chemical resistance; relatively easy to print.
Disadvantages: More stringing and oozing than PLA; can adhere too aggressively to smooth plates; scratches more easily; bridging is generally poorer.
Drying: 4–6 hr at 140–149°F; store <15%
Printing tips: Use a release layer on very smooth build plates because PETG can bond aggressively. Reduce cooling compared with PLA, tune retraction to control stringing, and keep the nozzle clean to prevent buildup. Dry when stringing, popping, or rough extrusion appears.
X2D guidance: One of the best everyday functional materials for the X2D. The main hotend is the safest default.
Support materials: Support for PLA/PETG (preferred interface); PVA when temperature-compatible; PLA can work as an experimental interface with careful purging.

PETG-CF PETG reinforced with chopped carbon fiber. Details

Description: PETG reinforced with chopped carbon fiber.
Use cases: Functional housings, fixtures, machine accessories, and dimensionally stable workshop parts.
Advantages: Stiffer than ordinary PETG; reduced gloss; better dimensional stability; less visible layer texture.
Disadvantages: Abrasive; more expensive; reduced ductility; carbon fiber does not automatically make the part impact-resistant.
Drying: 6–8 hr at 149°F; store <15%
Printing tips: Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle and dry thoroughly before printing. Keep speeds conservative if extrusion becomes inconsistent. Use enough walls for strength; fiber-filled PETG is stiffer but less ductile than unfilled PETG.
X2D guidance: Support for PLA/PETG after profile validation; PETG-CF or PETG for ordinary supports.
Support materials: Use the hardened nozzle, preferably 0.6 mm. Keep the filament dry and avoid the 0.2 mm nozzle.

Engineering Filaments

Filament	Description	Use cases	Advantages	Disadvantages	Drying	Printing tips	X2D guidance	Support materials
ABS	Tough engineering plastic commonly used in molded consumer and automotive products.	Tool housings, automotive interior parts, enclosures, jigs, fixtures, and functional prototypes.	Better heat resistance than PLA and PETG; tough; machinable; can be solvent-smoothed or chemically welded.	Warping and shrinkage; noticeable fumes; lower UV resistance than ASA; requires good ventilation.	2–4 hr 167–176°F <20%	Preheat the enclosed chamber, minimize drafts, and use a suitable high-temperature plate or adhesive. Allow the part to cool gradually before opening the chamber. Provide local exhaust or strong ventilation because ABS printing emits irritating fumes and ultrafine particles.	The X2D's heated chamber makes ABS considerably more practical. Preheat the chamber and avoid opening the door during printing.	Support for ABS (preferred interface); HIPS/limonene-compatible support where appropriate; ABS for ordinary supports.
ABS-GF	ABS reinforced with chopped glass fiber.	Rigid fixtures, structural housings, brackets, and dimensionally stable parts.	Reduced warping compared with ordinary ABS; increased stiffness; good wear and water resistance.	Abrasive; rougher surface; lower flexibility; glass fibers can irritate skin when sanding or cutting.	4 hr 167–176°F <20%	Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle. Preheat the chamber and control cooling to prevent warping. Dry before dimensional or cosmetic prints. Ventilate or exhaust the printer, and wear skin and eye protection when sanding or cutting fiber-filled parts.	Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle when practical. Chamber heat remains beneficial.	Support for ABS; HIPS after validation; ABS-GF or ABS for ordinary supports.
ASA	An ABS-like engineering plastic formulated for outdoor stability.	Exterior brackets, automotive accessories, antenna mounts, garden equipment, and outdoor housings.	Strong UV and weather resistance; good temperature and impact resistance; better outdoor longevity than ABS.	Warps; emits fumes; more expensive than ABS; requires enclosure and controlled cooling.	4 hr 167–176°F <20%	Use an enclosed, preheated chamber with minimal fan cooling and slow, uniform cooling after the print. ASA is preferred over ABS for outdoor exposure. Use local exhaust or strong ventilation because printing produces fumes and ultrafine particles.	Usually the best choice for permanent outdoor parts. The X2D's heated chamber is a significant advantage. Use ventilation or exhaust.	ASA for ordinary supports. HIPS or Support for ABS may work after testing, but Bambu officially lists Support for ABS for ABS rather than universally for ASA.
ASA-CF	ASA reinforced with carbon fiber.	Exterior fixtures, vehicle accessories, rigid outdoor housings, and engineering prototypes.	UV and weather resistance plus increased stiffness and dimensional stability.	Abrasive; less impact-tolerant than unfilled ASA in some loading directions; higher cost.	4–6 hr 176°F <15%	Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle, a warm chamber, and dry filament. Expect good dimensional stability but lower ductility than plain ASA. Ventilate or exhaust the enclosure, and use protection when machining or sanding the finished part.	Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle where possible. Keep the chamber warm and the filament dry.	ASA-CF or ASA for ordinary supports. HIPS or Support for ABS only after a compatibility test.
PC — Polycarbonate	Strong, heat-resistant engineering thermoplastic.	Protective housings, mechanical components, structural brackets, and high-temperature fixtures.	High impact strength; good heat resistance; strong functional parts; suitable for demanding applications.	Difficult bed adhesion; substantial warping; moisture-sensitive; requires high temperatures; can develop internal stress.	8–12 hr 194–212°F <10%	Dry immediately before printing and feed from a dry box when possible. Use a hot bed, a preheated enclosure, minimal drafts, and a compatible adhesive or build surface. Allow slow cooling to reduce stress cracking and warping. Provide effective ventilation or enclosure exhaust.	The X2D can print PC, but chamber preheating, dry filament, and controlled cooling are critical. Use the main hotend for demanding parts.	PC for ordinary supports, or a manufacturer-approved high-temperature PC-compatible breakaway support. PLA/PETG/PVA-oriented supports are generally unsuitable at PC conditions.
PA6 / Nylon 6	Tough, fatigue-resistant engineering plastic with low friction.	Gears, hinges, bushings, clips, moving mechanisms, and impact-resistant parts.	Excellent toughness; good fatigue and wear resistance; suitable for repeated flexing and mechanical movement.	Extremely moisture-sensitive; can warp; less dimensionally stable when wet; harder to print consistently than ABS or ASA.	8–12 hr 176–194°F <10%	Dry thoroughly immediately before use and preferably print directly from a heated dry box. Use a warm enclosure, a suitable engineering plate or adhesive, and limited part cooling. Moist PA6 can pop, foam, string, weaken, and change dimensions. Condition finished parts consistently before precision measurement because nylon absorbs ambient moisture.	Dry immediately before printing and preferably print from a heated dry box or AMS HT. Chamber heat and a suitable engineering plate help considerably.	PA6 for ordinary supports. Support for PA/PET may work, but validate with unfilled PA6. Keep both filaments continuously dry.
PA12 / PAHT	Nylon formulations designed for improved dimensional stability or lower moisture absorption.	Precision fixtures, durable mechanical components, housings, automotive parts, and industrial components.	Tough; better dimensional stability than basic PA6; generally better performance in humid environments.	Expensive; still requires drying; can be less stiff than reinforced nylons.	6–8 hr 158–176°F <10%	Dry before printing and keep the spool in a dry-feed system. Use a warm enclosure and a compatible engineering plate. These nylons generally absorb less moisture and hold dimensions better than PA6, but moisture control remains important for surface quality and strength.	A strong choice when toughness and moisture stability matter more than maximum stiffness.	Matching PA12/PAHT for ordinary supports; Support for PA/PET after validating the exact nylon formulation and temperature.
PA6-CF / PA6-GF	Nylon 6 reinforced with carbon or glass fiber.	Structural brackets, robotic components, machine fixtures, gears, and tool mounts.	High stiffness and strength; good dimensional stability; reduced warping compared with unfilled nylon.	Very moisture-sensitive; abrasive; more brittle than unfilled nylon; rougher surfaces; requires careful layer orientation.	8–12 hr 176–194°F <10%	Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle and dry very thoroughly; print directly from a heated dry box when possible. Use a warm chamber, strong bed adhesion, and conservative cooling. Orient layers around the load path because fiber reinforcement improves in-plane stiffness more than Z-axis strength.	Among the most capable materials for the X2D. Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle, dry thoroughly, and print from a dry-feed system.	Support for PA/PET (preferred interface); matching reinforced nylon for ordinary supports; hardened nozzle and dry-feed required.
PAHT-CF	Higher-temperature nylon blend reinforced with carbon fiber.	Structural parts, wet-environment fixtures, automotive components, and precision tooling.	Strong and stiff; lower moisture absorption than PA6-CF; good thermal and dimensional performance.	Expensive; abrasive; drying is still necessary; reduced impact flexibility compared with plain nylon.	8 hr 176°F <10%	Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle, dry before every demanding print, and feed from a dry box. Use a warm chamber and engineering build surface. Excellent for rigid functional parts, but design around layer anisotropy and avoid assuming carbon fiber automatically improves impact resistance.	One of the better premium materials for functional X2D parts where dimensional accuracy and environmental stability matter.	Support for PA/PET (preferred interface); PAHT-CF for ordinary supports; dry and keep dry during printing.
PET-CF	High-temperature PET reinforced with chopped carbon fiber; distinct from PETG-CF.	Precision fixtures, structural components, tooling, and heat-resistant functional parts.	High stiffness; good dimensional stability; better heat capability than PETG-based materials; relatively low creep.	Requires high processing temperatures; abrasive; must be dried; more demanding than PETG-CF.	6–8 hr 158–176°F <15%	Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle and dry thoroughly. Print with a warm, stable enclosure and a compatible high-temperature build surface. PET-CF is suited to stiff, dimensionally stable parts; use multiple walls and orient the model to keep principal loads within the layer plane.	Use the main hotend, hardened 0.6 mm nozzle, and a thoroughly dried spool. This is an advanced engineering material rather than an everyday PETG replacement.	Support for PA/PET (preferred interface); PET-CF for ordinary supports; hardened nozzle and dry-feed required.

ABS Tough engineering plastic commonly used in molded consumer and automotive products. Details

Description: Tough engineering plastic commonly used in molded consumer and automotive products.
Use cases: Tool housings, automotive interior parts, enclosures, jigs, fixtures, and functional prototypes.
Advantages: Better heat resistance than PLA and PETG; tough; machinable; can be solvent-smoothed or chemically welded.
Disadvantages: Warping and shrinkage; noticeable fumes; lower UV resistance than ASA; requires good ventilation.
Drying: 2–4 hr at 167–176°F; store <20%
Printing tips: Preheat the enclosed chamber, minimize drafts, and use a suitable high-temperature plate or adhesive. Allow the part to cool gradually before opening the chamber. Provide local exhaust or strong ventilation because ABS printing emits irritating fumes and ultrafine particles.
X2D guidance: The X2D's heated chamber makes ABS considerably more practical. Preheat the chamber and avoid opening the door during printing.
Support materials: Support for ABS (preferred interface); HIPS/limonene-compatible support where appropriate; ABS for ordinary supports.

ABS-GF ABS reinforced with chopped glass fiber. Details

Description: ABS reinforced with chopped glass fiber.
Use cases: Rigid fixtures, structural housings, brackets, and dimensionally stable parts.
Advantages: Reduced warping compared with ordinary ABS; increased stiffness; good wear and water resistance.
Disadvantages: Abrasive; rougher surface; lower flexibility; glass fibers can irritate skin when sanding or cutting.
Drying: 4 hr at 167–176°F; store <20%
Printing tips: Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle. Preheat the chamber and control cooling to prevent warping. Dry before dimensional or cosmetic prints. Ventilate or exhaust the printer, and wear skin and eye protection when sanding or cutting fiber-filled parts.
X2D guidance: Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle when practical. Chamber heat remains beneficial.
Support materials: Support for ABS; HIPS after validation; ABS-GF or ABS for ordinary supports.

ASA An ABS-like engineering plastic formulated for outdoor stability. Details

Description: An ABS-like engineering plastic formulated for outdoor stability.
Use cases: Exterior brackets, automotive accessories, antenna mounts, garden equipment, and outdoor housings.
Advantages: Strong UV and weather resistance; good temperature and impact resistance; better outdoor longevity than ABS.
Disadvantages: Warps; emits fumes; more expensive than ABS; requires enclosure and controlled cooling.
Drying: 4 hr at 167–176°F; store <20%
Printing tips: Use an enclosed, preheated chamber with minimal fan cooling and slow, uniform cooling after the print. ASA is preferred over ABS for outdoor exposure. Use local exhaust or strong ventilation because printing produces fumes and ultrafine particles.
X2D guidance: Usually the best choice for permanent outdoor parts. The X2D's heated chamber is a significant advantage. Use ventilation or exhaust.
Support materials: ASA for ordinary supports. HIPS or Support for ABS may work after testing, but Bambu officially lists Support for ABS for ABS rather than universally for ASA.

ASA-CF ASA reinforced with carbon fiber. Details

Description: ASA reinforced with carbon fiber.
Use cases: Exterior fixtures, vehicle accessories, rigid outdoor housings, and engineering prototypes.
Advantages: UV and weather resistance plus increased stiffness and dimensional stability.
Disadvantages: Abrasive; less impact-tolerant than unfilled ASA in some loading directions; higher cost.
Drying: 4–6 hr at 176°F; store <15%
Printing tips: Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle, a warm chamber, and dry filament. Expect good dimensional stability but lower ductility than plain ASA. Ventilate or exhaust the enclosure, and use protection when machining or sanding the finished part.
X2D guidance: Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle where possible. Keep the chamber warm and the filament dry.
Support materials: ASA-CF or ASA for ordinary supports. HIPS or Support for ABS only after a compatibility test.

PC — Polycarbonate Strong, heat-resistant engineering thermoplastic. Details

Description: Strong, heat-resistant engineering thermoplastic.
Use cases: Protective housings, mechanical components, structural brackets, and high-temperature fixtures.
Advantages: High impact strength; good heat resistance; strong functional parts; suitable for demanding applications.
Disadvantages: Difficult bed adhesion; substantial warping; moisture-sensitive; requires high temperatures; can develop internal stress.
Drying: 8–12 hr at 194–212°F; store <10%
Printing tips: Dry immediately before printing and feed from a dry box when possible. Use a hot bed, a preheated enclosure, minimal drafts, and a compatible adhesive or build surface. Allow slow cooling to reduce stress cracking and warping. Provide effective ventilation or enclosure exhaust.
X2D guidance: The X2D can print PC, but chamber preheating, dry filament, and controlled cooling are critical. Use the main hotend for demanding parts.
Support materials: PC for ordinary supports, or a manufacturer-approved high-temperature PC-compatible breakaway support. PLA/PETG/PVA-oriented supports are generally unsuitable at PC conditions.

PA6 / Nylon 6 Tough, fatigue-resistant engineering plastic with low friction. Details

Description: Tough, fatigue-resistant engineering plastic with low friction.
Use cases: Gears, hinges, bushings, clips, moving mechanisms, and impact-resistant parts.
Advantages: Excellent toughness; good fatigue and wear resistance; suitable for repeated flexing and mechanical movement.
Disadvantages: Extremely moisture-sensitive; can warp; less dimensionally stable when wet; harder to print consistently than ABS or ASA.
Drying: 8–12 hr at 176–194°F; store <10%
Printing tips: Dry thoroughly immediately before use and preferably print directly from a heated dry box. Use a warm enclosure, a suitable engineering plate or adhesive, and limited part cooling. Moist PA6 can pop, foam, string, weaken, and change dimensions. Condition finished parts consistently before precision measurement because nylon absorbs ambient moisture.
X2D guidance: Dry immediately before printing and preferably print from a heated dry box or AMS HT. Chamber heat and a suitable engineering plate help considerably.
Support materials: PA6 for ordinary supports. Support for PA/PET may work, but validate with unfilled PA6. Keep both filaments continuously dry.

PA12 / PAHT Nylon formulations designed for improved dimensional stability or lower moisture absorption. Details

Description: Nylon formulations designed for improved dimensional stability or lower moisture absorption.
Use cases: Precision fixtures, durable mechanical components, housings, automotive parts, and industrial components.
Advantages: Tough; better dimensional stability than basic PA6; generally better performance in humid environments.
Disadvantages: Expensive; still requires drying; can be less stiff than reinforced nylons.
Drying: 6–8 hr at 158–176°F; store <10%
Printing tips: Dry before printing and keep the spool in a dry-feed system. Use a warm enclosure and a compatible engineering plate. These nylons generally absorb less moisture and hold dimensions better than PA6, but moisture control remains important for surface quality and strength.
X2D guidance: A strong choice when toughness and moisture stability matter more than maximum stiffness.
Support materials: Matching PA12/PAHT for ordinary supports; Support for PA/PET after validating the exact nylon formulation and temperature.

PA6-CF / PA6-GF Nylon 6 reinforced with carbon or glass fiber. Details

Description: Nylon 6 reinforced with carbon or glass fiber.
Use cases: Structural brackets, robotic components, machine fixtures, gears, and tool mounts.
Advantages: High stiffness and strength; good dimensional stability; reduced warping compared with unfilled nylon.
Disadvantages: Very moisture-sensitive; abrasive; more brittle than unfilled nylon; rougher surfaces; requires careful layer orientation.
Drying: 8–12 hr at 176–194°F; store <10%
Printing tips: Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle and dry very thoroughly; print directly from a heated dry box when possible. Use a warm chamber, strong bed adhesion, and conservative cooling. Orient layers around the load path because fiber reinforcement improves in-plane stiffness more than Z-axis strength.
X2D guidance: Among the most capable materials for the X2D. Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle, dry thoroughly, and print from a dry-feed system.
Support materials: Support for PA/PET (preferred interface); matching reinforced nylon for ordinary supports; hardened nozzle and dry-feed required.

PAHT-CF Higher-temperature nylon blend reinforced with carbon fiber. Details

Description: Higher-temperature nylon blend reinforced with carbon fiber.
Use cases: Structural parts, wet-environment fixtures, automotive components, and precision tooling.
Advantages: Strong and stiff; lower moisture absorption than PA6-CF; good thermal and dimensional performance.
Disadvantages: Expensive; abrasive; drying is still necessary; reduced impact flexibility compared with plain nylon.
Drying: 8 hr at 176°F; store <10%
Printing tips: Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle, dry before every demanding print, and feed from a dry box. Use a warm chamber and engineering build surface. Excellent for rigid functional parts, but design around layer anisotropy and avoid assuming carbon fiber automatically improves impact resistance.
X2D guidance: One of the better premium materials for functional X2D parts where dimensional accuracy and environmental stability matter.
Support materials: Support for PA/PET (preferred interface); PAHT-CF for ordinary supports; dry and keep dry during printing.

PET-CF High-temperature PET reinforced with chopped carbon fiber; distinct from PETG-CF. Details

Description: High-temperature PET reinforced with chopped carbon fiber; distinct from PETG-CF.
Use cases: Precision fixtures, structural components, tooling, and heat-resistant functional parts.
Advantages: High stiffness; good dimensional stability; better heat capability than PETG-based materials; relatively low creep.
Disadvantages: Requires high processing temperatures; abrasive; must be dried; more demanding than PETG-CF.
Drying: 6–8 hr at 158–176°F; store <15%
Printing tips: Use a hardened 0.6 mm nozzle and dry thoroughly. Print with a warm, stable enclosure and a compatible high-temperature build surface. PET-CF is suited to stiff, dimensionally stable parts; use multiple walls and orient the model to keep principal loads within the layer plane.
X2D guidance: Use the main hotend, hardened 0.6 mm nozzle, and a thoroughly dried spool. This is an advanced engineering material rather than an everyday PETG replacement.
Support materials: Support for PA/PET (preferred interface); PET-CF for ordinary supports; hardened nozzle and dry-feed required.

Flexible and Support Materials

Filament	Description	Use cases	Advantages	Disadvantages	Drying	Printing tips	X2D guidance	Support materials
TPU	Rubber-like flexible thermoplastic, commonly available from approximately 85A to 95A Shore hardness.	Feet, bumpers, seals, protective covers, flexible hinges, and vibration isolators.	Flexible; impact-absorbing; highly abrasion-resistant; useful for grips and protective components.	Difficult feeding; stringing; moisture-sensitive; slower printing; softer grades buckle easily in long filament paths.	6–8 hr 113–131°F <15%	Dry before printing, use a short and well-constrained filament path, and reduce speed. Minimize retraction and avoid excessive nozzle pressure. Softer TPU grades may not feed reliably through every AMS path; use the manufacturer-approved external or direct feed route when required.	Check the exact TPU grade and feeder configuration before use. Flexible materials are more sensitive to the filament path and may not be suitable for every AMS or auxiliary-hotend configuration.	TPU itself using sparse or tree supports. Use only manufacturer-approved TPU-compatible soluble/breakaway materials; standard supports are not universal TPU interfaces.
PVA	Water-soluble support material.	Internal cavities, complex support interfaces, and inaccessible support structures.	Dissolves in water; enables geometries that would otherwise trap supports.	Very moisture-sensitive; expensive; slow to dissolve; can clog or degrade when stored improperly.	8–12 hr 113–122°F <10%	Keep sealed with fresh desiccant and dry before use. Print from a dry box because PVA absorbs moisture rapidly. Use only for interfaces or inaccessible supports to limit cost and purge waste. Flush the nozzle after use and do not leave PVA loaded in a warm, humid machine.	Keep sealed and extremely dry. Use only for support interfaces where soluble support provides a real benefit.
Support for PLA/PETG	Breakaway or low-adhesion interface material designed to separate from the model material.	Smooth undersides, complex overhangs, and dual-material support interfaces.	Easier and faster to remove than soluble support; uses relatively little material when limited to interface layers.	Adds tool changes and purge waste; incorrect material combinations can bond poorly or contaminate the model.	4–6 hr 113–122°F <15%	Follow the support manufacturer's temperature limits. Use it primarily for interface layers instead of the entire support body to reduce material changes and waste. Keep dry, verify the correct model/support pairing, and confirm that each material is assigned to the intended nozzle before slicing.	The X2D's dual-nozzle arrangement is particularly useful here. Use support material only for interface layers rather than the entire support structure.	Dedicated breakaway interface for PLA and PETG. Use the model filament for the support base; not intended for ABS, ASA, TPU, reinforced PA, or PET-CF.

TPU Rubber-like flexible thermoplastic, commonly available from approximately 85A to 95A Shore hardness. Details

Description: Rubber-like flexible thermoplastic, commonly available from approximately 85A to 95A Shore hardness.
Use cases: Feet, bumpers, seals, protective covers, flexible hinges, and vibration isolators.
Advantages: Flexible; impact-absorbing; highly abrasion-resistant; useful for grips and protective components.
Disadvantages: Difficult feeding; stringing; moisture-sensitive; slower printing; softer grades buckle easily in long filament paths.
Drying: 6–8 hr at 113–131°F; store <15%
Printing tips: Dry before printing, use a short and well-constrained filament path, and reduce speed. Minimize retraction and avoid excessive nozzle pressure. Softer TPU grades may not feed reliably through every AMS path; use the manufacturer-approved external or direct feed route when required.
X2D guidance: Check the exact TPU grade and feeder configuration before use. Flexible materials are more sensitive to the filament path and may not be suitable for every AMS or auxiliary-hotend configuration.
Support materials: TPU itself using sparse or tree supports. Use only manufacturer-approved TPU-compatible soluble/breakaway materials; standard supports are not universal TPU interfaces.

PVA Water-soluble support material. Details

Description: Water-soluble support material.
Use cases: Internal cavities, complex support interfaces, and inaccessible support structures.
Advantages: Dissolves in water; enables geometries that would otherwise trap supports.
Disadvantages: Very moisture-sensitive; expensive; slow to dissolve; can clog or degrade when stored improperly.
Drying: 8–12 hr at 113–122°F; store <10%
Printing tips: Keep sealed with fresh desiccant and dry before use. Print from a dry box because PVA absorbs moisture rapidly. Use only for interfaces or inaccessible supports to limit cost and purge waste. Flush the nozzle after use and do not leave PVA loaded in a warm, humid machine.
X2D guidance: Keep sealed and extremely dry. Use only for support interfaces where soluble support provides a real benefit.
Support materials

Support for PLA/PETG Breakaway or low-adhesion interface material designed to separate from the model material. Details

Description: Breakaway or low-adhesion interface material designed to separate from the model material.
Use cases: Smooth undersides, complex overhangs, and dual-material support interfaces.
Advantages: Easier and faster to remove than soluble support; uses relatively little material when limited to interface layers.
Disadvantages: Adds tool changes and purge waste; incorrect material combinations can bond poorly or contaminate the model.
Drying: 4–6 hr at 113–122°F; store <15%
Printing tips: Follow the support manufacturer's temperature limits. Use it primarily for interface layers instead of the entire support body to reduce material changes and waste. Keep dry, verify the correct model/support pairing, and confirm that each material is assigned to the intended nozzle before slicing.
X2D guidance: The X2D's dual-nozzle arrangement is particularly useful here. Use support material only for interface layers rather than the entire support structure.
Support materials: Dedicated breakaway interface for PLA and PETG. Use the model filament for the support base; not intended for ABS, ASA, TPU, reinforced PA, or PET-CF.