Everything about nozzles for FDM printing
The nozzles of an FDM 3D printer are more important than most people realize. They come in various diameters and materials. All of this, along with the manufacturing quality, has a significant impact on print quality.
{index}
Cheap Nozzles vs. Expensive Nozzles
Cheap nozzles aren't always bad, as they often come from a cheaper material that is easier to machine (and therefore has a shorter lifespan). Expensive nozzles often have a special coating that wears down quickly with improper use, making the price seem unjustified. Therefore, it's important to use the right nozzle for the right filament, as I've summarized here.
Nozzle Shapes
E3DV6
ASDASD
MK10
SAD
Nozzle Diameter
Most printers are equipped with 0.4mm nozzles as standard, since this is the best compromise between quality and printing speed. The smaller the nozzle, the finer the details that can be printed, but it takes an extremely long time to produce larger parts. It's also important to note that with smaller nozzle diameters, you need to print more infill to create a top layer, which further increases the printing time. It's also crucial to understand that maximum stability is achieved at approximately 40% of the nozzle diameter in terms of layer height. Beyond this, stability and quality suffer significantly, and the printing speed isn't effectively increased, as you have to print more slowly at such high layer heights. A major advantage of larger nozzles is that overhangs and bridges become much smoother. Different Nozzle Materials Nozzles are made from different materials because they are designed for different applications. The various nozzles have different hardness levels, thermal conductivity coefficients, and manufacturing complexities. This is why some nozzles are significantly more expensive, but that doesn't mean you can achieve better print quality with an expensive nozzle.
Brass
Brass nozzles are the "standard" nozzle, especially for inexpensive printers. The nozzle is inexpensive because it is the simplest to manufacture, yet it still offers good durability and accuracy.
Plated Copper / Nickel-Plated Bronze Nozzle
Affordable Abrasive Filament <500 °C Ø > 0.1 mm
The best price-performance nozzle with the best thermal conductivity and yet very stable.
Stainless Steel
Normal Abrasive Filament <400 °C Ø >0.2 mm
Stainless steel nozzles have even higher strength than brass nozzles, but also significantly lower thermal conductivity. Stainless steel nozzles are ideal for processing food-grade plastics, as stainless steel is the only nozzle material approved for use with food-grade products even without certification, provided, of course, that it has been thoroughly cleaned of all production residues and has not been used with any other filaments. Stainless steel nozzles are very easy to clean. Due to their significantly lower thermal conductivity, the nozzle temperature must be set slightly higher (~10 °C), and the printing speed must be significantly reduced, especially with small nozzle diameters. Abrasive materials can be processed without hesitation using this nozzle.
Hardened Steel Nozzle
Normal-Expensive Abrasive Filament <500 °C Ø > 0.25 mm
A hardened steel nozzle is used for abrasion-resistant