Prusa Launches Pure PA11 Filament for Gears and Moving Parts

Prusa is filling a gap in its material lineup

The new Prusament PA11 Natural launched on July 23, priced at $122 for an 800 g spool. Unlike the carbon-filled version Prusa already sells, this variant skips the reinforcement in favor of pure nylon 11 properties: better interlayer bonding, lower friction, and improved impact resistance. The material is derived from castor oil, making it partially bio-based.

Prusa says the filament is specifically aimed at functional parts that move. Gears, bushings, and hinges benefit from the low friction surface, while the strong layer adhesion means the parts can absorb repeated impacts without splitting along the Z-axis. An enclosed printer with a heated chamber is recommended.

How it compares to PA11 Carbon Fiber

The existing PA11 Carbon Fiber variant trades some layer adhesion for stiffness and heat resistance. Those carbon fibers make the material more abrasive and more sensitive to Z-axis weaknesses. The Natural version is the opposite: it flexes more under load, but it bonds better layer to layer and slides more cleanly against other surfaces.

The price is steep. At $152 per kilogram, PA11 Natural costs roughly twice as much as standard Prusament PLA. For comparison, the carbon-filled PA11 is priced similarly. Buyers are paying for the raw material and Prusa's quality control rather than for a budget prototyping filament.

Who should buy it

This is not a filament for beginners. The print temperature, moisture sensitivity, and chamber requirements put it in the advanced material category. If you need functional nylon parts that flex, rotate, or take repeated contact, the pure PA11 formulation is worth the premium. If you just want to print a rigid bracket, stick with carbon-filled nylon or PETG.