Recommended dryer settings for FDM filaments, with moisture sensitivity ratings, signs of wet filament, and storage tips. Print and keep with your filament dryer.
| Material | Dryer temp | Min time | Moisture sensitivity | Key note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PLA | 45–50°C | 4–6 h | Low | Softens around 60°C; never exceed 55°C or loops may fuse on the spool |
| PETG | 65°C | 4–6 h | Medium | Absorbs moisture quickly; a spool left open overnight in a humid room may already show symptoms |
| ABS | 80°C | 3–5 h | Low | Lower moisture sensitivity than PETG; drying mainly matters when printing in very humid climates |
| ASA | 80°C | 3–5 h | Low | Same drying profile as ABS; treat the two identically for storage and drying purposes |
| TPU | 50–55°C | 4–6 h | High | Can deform on the spool above 60°C; keep dryer at the lower end of the range |
| Nylon | 90–95°C | 12 h+ | Extreme | Can absorb enough moisture in 30 min of open-air exposure to cause print failures; dry immediately before printing |
These are minimum dry times for moderately damp spools. Spools left open for days or stored improperly may need longer. Weigh the spool before and after drying - if weight drops noticeably, moisture was present.
| Symptom | What it means | Most commonly affects |
|---|---|---|
| Popping or crackling sounds while printing | Water in the filament flashing to steam in the hotend | Nylon, TPU, PETG |
| Bubbles or foam on extruded filament | Steam bubbles trapped in the molten plastic | Nylon, PETG |
| Rough or matte surface finish on normally glossy material | Micro-bubbles deforming the surface layer | PETG, TPU |
| Excessive stringing compared to usual | Reduced viscosity from steam allows more ooze | PLA, PETG |
| Weak layer bonds and delamination | Steam voids reduce contact area between layers | Nylon, PETG, TPU |
| Dimensional inaccuracy on small features | Steam expansion slightly inflates the extrusion width | Nylon |