Nozzle Wear Calculator — Estimate Nozzle Lifespan

A brass nozzle printing standard PLA or PETG lasts approximately 400-600 hours. With abrasive filaments like carbon fibre or glow-in-the-dark, it can wear out in as little as 50-100 hours. Check for under-extrusion as a wear indicator.

Switch to hardened steel if you regularly print abrasive filaments (carbon fibre, glass fibre, glow-in-the-dark, wood or metal fill). Hardened steel lasts 5-10x longer with abrasives but conducts heat slightly less efficiently.

Signs of nozzle wear include: under-extrusion, inconsistent extrusion width, poor first layer despite correct Z-offset, stringing that was not present before, and visible enlargement of the nozzle opening when inspected.

Practically, with abrasive filaments, yes. The Olsson Ruby showed zero measurable wear even under a microscope after extruding 8 kg of carbon-fibre filament, because the tip is an aluminium-oxide gemstone rather than a coating that can rub off. This calculator therefore treats a ruby tip as immune to abrasive wear, so its estimated life matches its base figure regardless of filament. They are expensive and best for heavy users of carbon-fibre, glass-fibre or metal-fill, and the ruby tip can chip if the nozzle crashes into the bed.