Quel est le prix du nylon imprimé en 3D par gramme? Un guide détaillé

Si vous utilisez l'impression 3D pour des pièces fonctionnelles, prototypes industriels, ou des composants performants, Comprendre le prix du nylon imprimé en 3D par gramme est essentiel pour établir un budget. Nylon (polyamide) est un matériau d'impression 3D populaire en raison de sa résistance et de sa durabilité, mais son prix varie considérablement : de 0.5 RMB/gram for standard bulk nylon à 8 RMB/gram for high-performance reinforced nylon. Ce guide détaille les principaux facteurs de prix, fournit des références pratiques, shares cost-saving tips, and answers common questions to help you make informed decisions.

1. 5 Core Factors That Affect the Price of 3D Printed Nylon Per Gram

The price of 3D printed nylon per gram is shaped by tangible factors, from material formulation to purchase volume. Below is a detailed breakdown with real numbers to illustrate their impact:

(1) Type de nylon & Performance

Nylon is categorized by grade, with specialized types (par ex., renforcé, photosensitive) costing far more than standard grades due to added properties:

Exemple: A 100g simple part made with Nylon 6 costs 50–200 RMB (0.5–2 RMB/gram). The same part made with carbon fiber reinforced nylon costs 300–800 RMB—6–4x more.

(2) Brand Origin & Qualité

Brand origin impacts both price and consistency. International premium brands offer reliable performance but higher costs, while domestic brands provide cost-effective options for most users:

Key Note: International brands like EOS (a leader in industrial 3D printing materials) set the benchmark for quality, but their Nylon 12 costs 2–3x more than domestic Nylon 12.

(3) Purchase Volume

Buying nylon in bulk is one of the most effective ways to lower the price per gram. Suppliers offer discounts for larger orders, as bulk purchases reduce packaging, logistique, and handling costs:

Exemple: A small business buying 500g of Nylon 6 pays 1.5 RMB/gramme (750 RMB total). A manufacturer buying 20kg pays 0.8 RMB/gramme (16,000 RMB total)—cutting the price per gram by nearly half.

(4) Market Supply & Demand

Nylon is derived from petroleum-based raw materials, so its price is linked to oil costs and industry demand:

• Raw Material Fluctuations: If crude oil prices rise by 30%, standard Nylon 6 prices may increase by 15–20% (par ex., depuis 1 à 1.2 RMB/gramme).
• 3D Printing Industry Demand: During peak industrial production seasons (par ex., Q4 for holiday manufacturing), demand for nylon spikes, pushing prices up by 10–15% temporarily.

(5) Printing Technology Compatibility

Nylon designed for specific 3D printing technologies (par ex., SLS, ANS) costs more than general-purpose nylon. Par exemple:

• SLS-specific nylon powder (used in industrial printers) costs 2–3 RMB/gram, while FDM nylon filament (for consumer printers) costs 0.5–1.5 RMB/gram.
• Photosensitive nylon (pour SLA/DLP) costs 2–5 RMB/gram due to its specialized resin formulation.

2. Practical Price Reference Table for 3D Printed Nylon

To quickly check if a nylon price is reasonable, use this table of common nylon types, marques, and their per-gram costs:

3. 4 Proven Tips to Reduce the Cost of 3D Printed Nylon

You don’t have to compromise on performance to save money on 3D printed nylon. Try these strategies:

(1) Choose the Right Nylon Grade for Your Needs

Only use specialized nylon when necessary. Par exemple:

• Use standard Nylon 6 for a simple prototype instead of Nylon 12—save 50–75% per gram.
• Reserve carbon fiber reinforced nylon for high-load parts (par ex., drone arms) and use standard nylon for non-load-bearing components (par ex., drone casings).

(2) Buy in Bulk (or Join Group Purchases)

If you don’t need large quantities alone, team up with other businesses or makers to split bulk orders. Par exemple:

• 3 small manufacturers splitting a 30kg order of Nylon 6 pay 0.7 RMB/gram each—vs. 1.5 RMB/gram for individual 10kg orders.

(3) Opt for Domestic Brands for Non-Critical Parts

Domestic nylon brands offer performance close to international brands but at 30–50% lower prices. Par exemple:

• Domestic Nylon 12 (2–3 RMB/gram) meets most industrial prototype needs, while international Nylon 12 (3–5 RMB/gram) is only necessary for critical components.

(4) Optimize Print Settings to Reduce Waste

• Adjust Infill: Use 20–30% infill for non-load parts (contre. 50% pour pièces soumises à de fortes charges) to cut material use by 40–60%.
• Design Lightweight Structures: Add lattice or hollow patterns to reduce part weight—e.g., a 200g Nylon 12 housing becomes 100g with a hollow design, saving 100g of material.
• Reuse Unused Powder (pour SLS): Collect and reprocess unused nylon powder (jusqu'à 50% of the original batch) for test prints or non-critical parts.

4. Key Precautions When Buying 3D Printed Nylon

To avoid overpaying or buying unsuitable nylon, keep these in mind:

(1) Check Printer Compatibility

Not all nylon works with all 3D printers:

• FDM printers need nylon filament (avoid powder), while SLS printers require nylon powder.
• Photosensitive nylon only works with SLA/DLP printers—confirm your printer’s resin compatibility before purchasing.

(2) Verify Storage Requirements

Nylon is highly hygroscopic (absorbs moisture easily), which causes print defects like bubbles or warping. Ensure the supplier stores nylon in sealed, moisture-proof packaging. After opening, store nylon in a dry box with desiccants.

(3) Test Small Samples First

For specialty nylon (par ex., carbon fiber reinforced), buy a small 100g sample first to test print quality and performance. This avoids wasting money on a large batch that doesn’t meet your needs.

Yigu Technology’s Perspective on 3D Printed Nylon Pricing

Chez Yigu Technologie, we believe matching nylon grade to project needs is the key to cost-effective 3D printing. Many clients overspend by using high-cost international nylon or reinforced grades for basic prototypes—for example, using carbon fiber nylon (5–8 RMB/gram) for a simple bracket when Nylon 6 (0.5–1 RMB/gram) travaux. Our team helps select the right nylon: for industrial prototypes, we recommend domestic Nylon 12 (2–3 RMB/gram) to save 30–40% vs. international options; pour pièces soumises à de fortes charges, we suggest targeted use of reinforced nylon (par ex., only in stress points) to cut material costs. We also assist with bulk ordering, helping clients access 40–50% discounts. Our goal is to deliver high-performance nylon parts at the lowest possible price.

FAQ

1. Why is carbon fiber reinforced nylon so much more expensive than standard nylon?

Carbon fiber reinforced nylon requires adding high-cost carbon fiber filaments (10–20 RMB/gram) to the nylon base material. The reinforcement process also increases manufacturing complexity, raising production costs by 200–300%. This translates to a 3–8x higher price per gram vs. standard nylon.

2. Can I mix different brands of nylon to save money?

No—mixing brands is not recommended. Different nylon brands have variations in melting point, molecular weight, and additive content, which can cause inconsistent print quality (par ex., mauvaise adhérence des couches, uneven shrinkage). Stick to one brand for a single project to ensure reliability.

3. Is nylon powder (pour SLS) more expensive than nylon filament (pour FDM)?

Yes—SLS nylon powder typically costs 2–3 RMB/gram, while FDM nylon filament costs 0.5–1.5 RMB/gram. SLS powder requires finer particle sizes and stricter quality control to ensure uniform sintering, which increases production costs. Cependant, SLS is better for complex geometries, making it worth the cost for specific projects.