Nylon vs. PBT Brush Filament: Which Offers Better Wear Resistance for Your Application?
Quick Answer
In short, while both are highly durable, nylon filament generally exhibits better wear resistance in applications involving frequent bending, dry friction, and fatigue resistance, thanks to its superior toughness and bend recovery. In contrast, PBT filament excels in wet environments and abrasive applications requiring high stiffness, due to its greater hardness and excellent moisture resistance.
A Deeper Dive: Key Performance Differences Between Nylon and PBT
To help you make an informed decision, here is a detailed performance comparison table:
| Feature | Nylon Filament | PBT Filament |
|---|---|---|
| Overall Wear Resistance | Excellent Especially excels at resisting flex fatigue. |
Very Good Performs better in wet abrasion and scraping. |
| Bend Recovery | Superior Quickly returns to its original shape after bending. |
Good Dimensionally stable, but less resilient than nylon. |
| Stiffness | Moderate-to-High | Higher Provides stronger scraping power. |
| Moisture Absorption | Higher Can soften and lose performance in wet conditions. |
Very Low Maintains stiffness and stability in water. |
| Chemical Resistance | Good Resistant to most oils and alkalis. |
Excellent Resistant to acids, bases, solvents, and chlorine. |
| Heat Resistance | Good e.g., PA66 can withstand up to 120°C (248°F). |
Excellent Can withstand up to 150°C (302°F) with dimensional stability. |
Scenario-Based Guide: When to Choose Nylon Filament
Leveraging its unparalleled toughness and bend recovery, nylon is the ideal choice for the following applications:
- Industrial Cleaning & Polishing: In high-speed rotating industrial brushes, nylon filaments withstand constant bending and friction without breaking.
- Conveyor Belt Cleaning: Where filaments must constantly sweep across a conveyor surface, nylon's fatigue resistance ensures a long service life.
- Dusting and Light Sweeping: In vacuum cleaner heads or sweeping applications requiring flexibility, nylon effectively removes dust without damaging surfaces.
Scenario-Based Guide: When to Choose PBT Filament
PBT excels in the following areas, thanks to its high stiffness, dimensional stability, and superior moisture resistance:
- Food Processing Industry: PBT's extremely low moisture absorption makes it ideal for wet environments (like washing fruits and vegetables), as it resists bacterial growth and maintains performance.
- Car Washes: In car wash brushes, PBT retains sufficient stiffness to effectively remove dirt, even when soaked in water and detergents.
- High-Temperature and Chemical Environments: For instance, in cleaning printed circuit boards (PCBs), PBT can withstand chemical cleaning agents and high temperatures from soldering processes.
Does your application involve water, chemicals, or heat? Discover our PBT filament solutions

Conclusion: Making the Right Choice for You
The choice between nylon and PBT isn't about which one is absolutely "better," but which one is better suited for your specific operating conditions. Understanding their core differences in wet vs. dry environments and for bending vs. scraping tasks is the first step to making the optimal decision.
Still unsure? Our material experts are here to help. Based on your equipment, application, and budget, we can recommend the most suitable filament material and even provide free samples for testing.
Contact Us Now for a Free Consultation and Samples!
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At Mingwang Filament, we are committed to equipping professionals with the superior brush filaments essential for the production of high-quality brushes. Our focus on delivering precision and excellence, bolstered by our team’s expertise, experience, and unwavering commitment, ensures that you have access to an extensive array of reliable products. Additionally, we specialize in providing tailored filament solutions and design services to meet your unique manufacturing requirements. For a deeper dive into our custom engineering and production services, feel free to reach out to us directly.