Nozzle & Hotend Compatibility
Using the wrong nozzle with abrasive filaments destroys the bore over time, causing under-extrusion and dimensional inaccuracy. Select your filament type to see what you need — and why.
| Nozzle Material | Max Temp | Abrasion Resistance | Thermal Conductivity | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brass | ~300°C | Low | ★★★★★ | PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, TPU — any non-abrasive filament |
| Hardened Steel | >500°C | High | ★★★ | All filaments including CF, GF, metal fills, high-temp |
| Stainless Steel | >500°C | Medium | ★★ | Food-safe applications, corrosive or reactive filaments |
| Plated Copper | ~300°C | Low | ★★★★★ | High-speed printing with standard filaments — superior heat transfer |
| Ruby / Sapphire | >500°C | ★★★★★ | ★★ | Any filament, maximum longevity — premium cost |
PTFE-lined hotends (e.g. Creality stock) — the PTFE tube runs all the way to the nozzle. This limits safe printing to ~240°C. Above that, PTFE degrades and releases fumes. Suitable for PLA, PETG, and standard ABS only.
All-metal hotends (e.g. E3D V6, Dragon, Rapido) — no PTFE in the heat zone. Required for Nylon, PC, PEEK, and any high-temp material. Some flexible filaments (TPU) can be trickier without PTFE guide.
Nozzle size and particle fills — filled filaments (CF, GF, wood, metal) contain particles that can clog a 0.4mm nozzle. Consider a 0.5mm or 0.6mm nozzle to reduce clog risk, at the cost of some detail.