Filament drying temperatures and times
Keep the drying temperature below the material's glass transition or the spool fuses. These are the figures manufacturers publish, sorted hottest first.
| Material | Dry at | For | Absorbs moisture | Max service temp | Symptoms when wet |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PEEK | 120 °C | 4 h | low | 250 °C | slight stringing after months open |
| Nylon PA6 | 80 °C | 12 h | high | 120 °C | popping, foamy extrusion, weak layers |
| Nylon PA12 | 80 °C | 8 h | medium | 110 °C | stringing, matte surface, small bubbles |
| PA-CF | 80 °C | 12 h | high | 150 °C | popping, foamy extrusion, weak layers |
| PC | 80 °C | 8 h | medium | 115 °C | stringing, matte surface, small bubbles |
| PC-ABS | 80 °C | 8 h | medium | 105 °C | stringing, matte surface, small bubbles |
| ABS | 70 °C | 6 h | low | 95 °C | slight stringing after months open |
| ASA | 70 °C | 6 h | low | 95 °C | slight stringing after months open |
| TPU 95A | 70 °C | 6 h | medium | 70 °C | stringing, matte surface, small bubbles |
| TPU 85A | 70 °C | 8 h | medium | 60 °C | stringing, matte surface, small bubbles |
| PETG | 65 °C | 6 h | medium | 70 °C | stringing, matte surface, small bubbles |
| PETG-CF | 65 °C | 8 h | medium | 75 °C | stringing, matte surface, small bubbles |
| PCTG | 65 °C | 6 h | medium | 75 °C | stringing, matte surface, small bubbles |
| HIPS | 65 °C | 6 h | low | 90 °C | slight stringing after months open |
| PP | 60 °C | 6 h | low | 100 °C | slight stringing after months open |
| Carbon-fibre PLA | 55 °C | 8 h | medium | 55 °C | stringing, matte surface, small bubbles |
| PVA | 55 °C | 8 h | high | 50 °C | popping, foamy extrusion, weak layers |
| PLA | 50 °C | 6 h | low | 55 °C | slight stringing after months open |
| PLA+ (Tough PLA) | 50 °C | 6 h | low | 58 °C | slight stringing after months open |
| Silk PLA | 50 °C | 6 h | low | 55 °C | slight stringing after months open |
| Matte PLA | 50 °C | 6 h | low | 55 °C | slight stringing after months open |
| Wood-filled PLA | 50 °C | 6 h | medium | 55 °C | stringing, matte surface, small bubbles |
Rules that hold for every filament
- Dry below the glass-transition temperature: PLA ≤ 50 °C, PETG ≤ 65 °C, ABS/ASA ≤ 70–80 °C, nylon and PC ≤ 80–90 °C. Filament dryers with a fan reach the core of the spool faster than still air.
- Time matters more than temperature. A full 1 kg spool needs 6–12 hours; the outer layers dry in two.
- Weigh before and after. A spool that loses 5–10 g has given up a lot of water; when the weight stops dropping it is dry.
- Storage is the other half: a sealed box with silica gel at 10–20% relative humidity keeps a dried spool dry for months.
Questions people ask
How do I know my filament is wet?
Popping or hissing at the nozzle, steam, stringing that was not there before, rough or matte surfaces on glossy filament, and weak layer bonding. PETG, nylon, TPU and PVA show it first.
Can I dry filament in a kitchen oven?
Only if the oven holds a low temperature accurately; many overshoot by 10–20 °C and will soften PLA (glass transition ~60 °C). A filament dryer, a food dehydrator, or a dry box with desiccant is safer.
How long does dried filament stay dry?
In open air at 50% humidity PETG and nylon reabsorb enough moisture to matter within 1–3 days. Store opened spools in a sealed box or bag with desiccant, or print from a dry box.
Does PLA need drying?
Rarely for fresh spools, but PLA that has been open for months in a humid room prints noticeably better after 4–6 hours at 45–50 °C.