Hardened Nickel-Plated Steel Tip—Hardened steel nozzles resist wear 10 times better than brass nozzles. However, they don’t transfer heat well, so they require higher printing temperatures. Nickel-plated nozzles have a slippery surface, which creates less friction, so filaments flow smoothly. The slippery surface also prevents plastic from sticking to the nozzle.

Opening Diameter—For opening diameter, consider whether you need precision or speed. The smaller the nozzle opening, the smoother the finish and the finer the detail, making these nozzles best for small and intricate parts. The larger the nozzle opening, the faster they print and less likely they are to clog, which is good for abrasive materials and large, strong parts. The most common opening to balance precision and speed is 0.4 mm.