Filament Storage and Drying Reference — All Materials
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Filament Storage and Drying Reference — All Materials
Drying Settings
| Material | Temp | Time | Hygroscopic? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PLA / PLA+ | 45-50C | 4-6 hrs | Low |
| PETG | 65C | 6-8 hrs | Medium |
| TPU / TPE | 50C | 4-6 hrs | Medium |
| ABS / ASA | 80C | 4-6 hrs | Low-medium |
| PA / Nylon | 80C | 12-24 hrs | Very high |
| PVA | 45C | 8-12 hrs | Extreme |
| PC | 80-90C | 8-12 hrs | High |
| HIPS | 60C | 4-6 hrs | Low |
| Wood-fill | 50C | 4-6 hrs | Medium |
| Metal-fill | 50C | 4-6 hrs | Medium |
| Carbon fiber fills | Match base material | — | Same as base |
Note: Keep temps below the HDT (heat deflection temperature) of the material. PLA softens at 55-60C — don't exceed 52C.
Signs of Wet Filament
- Popping/crackling during extrusion
- Bubbles or rough texture on strands
- Excessive stringing that ignores retraction settings
- Snapping/brittle filament on the spool
- Inconsistent extrusion / pinholes in walls
Storage Solutions
| Method | Effectiveness | Cost |
|---|---|---|
| Sealed bag + desiccant | Good | $ |
| Vacuum seal bag + desiccant | Very good | $$ |
| Airtight container + desiccant | Very good | $$ |
| Filament dry box (active) | Excellent | $$$ |
| Print directly from dry box | Best | $$$ |
Desiccant Reference
- Color-change silica gel — blue/orange when active, pink/clear when saturated
- Recharge in oven: 120C for 1-2 hours
- Replace when it no longer changes color reliably
Storage Humidity Targets
| Material | Target RH |
|---|---|
| PA / Nylon | Below 15% |
| PVA | Below 10% |
| PETG, TPU | Below 25% |
| PLA, ABS | Below 40% |