Replace a dull or clogged nozzle, or find the right nozzle for a new printing job. When selecting a nozzle, check to see that its trade name is compatible with your fused filament fabrication (FFF) printer.

In choosing a material for your nozzle, consider its ability to transfer heat and its wear resistance. The more efficiently the nozzle transfers heat to the filament, the more smoothly it will print. And the harder the nozzle’s material, the more wear resistant it is, so won’t dull from abrasive filament as quickly.

Brass nozzles are the most commonly used for printing nonabrasive filaments such as ABS, PLA, and nylon. Brass transfers heat efficiently, so these nozzles print smoothly with little clogging. Its softness, however, means they’ll wear out quickly if you use them to print abrasive materials, such as filament with carbon or glass fiber. Plated brass nozzles have a protective outer coating that allows for occasional use with abrasive filaments.

Plated copper nozzles transfer heat nearly three times as efficiently as brass nozzles, so they work well with PEEK, Ultem PEI, and other filament materials that require high printing temperatures. Their nickel plating lets filaments pass through smoothly—even stickier ones such as TPU and PETG.

Stainless steel nozzles don’t contain lead, making them the best choice when printing parts that will be in frequent contact with skin. They conduct heat less efficiently than brass nozzles so they print more slowly, but they’re more wear resistant, so they can be used occasionally with abrasive filament.

Hardened steel nozzles are up to 10 times more wear resistant than brass nozzles and can be used regularly to print abrasive filaments. Since they don’t transfer heat as well as brass nozzles, they generally require a higher print temperature.

Nozzles with a 0.4 mm opening are the standard size for extruding nonabrasive filament such as ABS, PLA, and nylon. Nozzles with a 0.5 mm opening are the standard size for extruding abrasive filament.

Use nozzles with smaller openings to print parts with a smooth finish and fine detail. Nozzles with smaller openings, however, take more time to print and clog more often. Use nozzles with larger openings to print larger parts that are stronger, but are less smooth and precise.

For technical drawings and 3-D models, click on a part number.