3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS-CF vs ABS-GF

Compare printing settings, strength, heat resistance, dated prices and sources.

2 selected · all documented properties

ABS-CF vs ABS-GF — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre ABS (ABS-CF)ABSGlass-fibre ABS (ABS-GF)ABS
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$35.99/kg median; $22.00–$125.00/kg across 7 dated product listings$34.99/kg median; $24.49–$73.33/kg across 4 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryABS reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[1]ABS reinforced with chopped glass fibre — 3DXTech's grade is nominally 10 wt%[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.11 (ISO 1183)[1]1.08 (Bambu Lab) and 1.15 (3DXTech), ISO 1183[3][2]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 22–125; the middle of the market is about 36[4][5][6][7][8]1 kg-equivalent spools span 24–73; the middle of the market is about 35[9][4][10][11]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg22–125 across brands; IEMAI 22, Siraya Tech 28 and 36 for the core-shell grade, YXPOLYER 35, Push Plastic 50 at 2 kg, 3DXTech 64 at 750 g; Stratasys-compatible cartridges run far higher[4][5][6][7][12][8]24–73 across brands; Siraya Tech 24, Bambu Lab 30, SUNLU 40, 3DXTech 73[9][4][10][11]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[4][5]Available from several mainstream brands[9][4]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75 and 2 kg spools plus Stratasys-compatible cartridges[4][5]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g and 1 kg spools[4][9]
Typical applicationsStiff tooling and fixtures that must survive above 100 °C[1]Stiff, dimensionally stable enclosure and tooling parts; Bambu Lab notes the fibre blurs layer lines into a matte finish[3]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented240–280 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Bed temperature°CNot documented80–100 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[13]Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[3][13]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented45–60 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Part cooling fanNot documented0–80 % (Bambu Lab)[3]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[13][14]Clean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[13][14]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented14 at Bambu Lab's 180 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[3][15]
Warping tendency1–5Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield; the fibre reduces warping against unfilled ABS[13]Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield; Bambu Lab positions the fibre as reducing warping[3]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[13]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[13]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[16]Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[16]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[13]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[13]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[13]Hardened steel required[13]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[13]Highly abrasive — standard GF composite[13]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; 3DXTech specifies a hardened nozzle of 0.4 mm minimum and 0.25 mm layers or higher, and Prusa lists composites as a higher clogging risk[17][18][19]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; 3DXTech specifies a hardened 0.4 mm minimum nozzle and 0.25 mm layers or higher for the glass-filled grade[20][18]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[14]Slightly sensitive[14]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[14]No special hot-end required[14]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate — the ABS matrix takes up 0.51–0.65 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH and 3DXTech specifies a 80 °C, 4 h pre-dry[21][22][17]Moderate — 0.53 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[3]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented0.53 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[3]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[3]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[23]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[23]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures; absorbed water flashes to steam in the hotend and shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[23]Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures; absorbed water flashes to steam in the hotend and shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[23]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[23]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[23]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa46 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]36 ± 3 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 68 at break[3][2]
Young's modulusMPa5210 (printed XY, ISO 527) — more than double unfilled ABS[1]3160 ± 170 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 4210[3][2]
Elongation at break%2 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]6.3 ± 1.2 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 2 at break[3][2]
Flexural strengthMPa76 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]68 ± 4 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 70[3][2]
Flexural modulusMPa5260 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]2860 ± 130 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 4420[3][2]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented4.2 ± 1.1 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Bambu Lab)[3]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 14.5 ± 1.5 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179)[3]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented29 ± 3 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation at break 2 %[1]Brittle — snaps with little warning; notched Charpy falls from 21.5 to 4.2 kJ/m² against unfilled Bambu Lab ABS[3][21]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Good — no creep test found; chopped carbon fibre restrains matrix flow and modulus rises to 5210 MPa against 2200–2330 for unfilled ABS[1][21][22]Good — no creep test found; chopped glass fibre lifts modulus to 3160 MPa against 2200 for unfilled Bambu Lab ABS[3][21]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Below average — no S-N curve found; elongation at break falls to 2 % against 10.5 % for unfilled ABS[1][21]Below average — no S-N curve found; notched Charpy falls to 4.2 kJ/m² against 21.5 for unfilled Bambu Lab ABS[3][21]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[3]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented81 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile)[3]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented99 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 87 for unfilled Bambu Lab ABS[3][21]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented88 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 84 for unfilled Bambu Lab ABS[3][21]
Glass transition (Tg)°C105 (DSC)[1]Not documented
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·K19–25 along the print bead and 80–84 in the build direction at 30 °C (20 wt% CF, large-format printed, TMA)[24]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[25]Good against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[25]
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[16]Not food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[16]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[16]Not biodegradable[16]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[16]Mechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[16]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — not static-dissipative (ASTM D257)[1]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[26][13]High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[26][13]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[26]12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[26]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[26]2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[26]
Hazardous species emittedStyrene dominates. Bambu Lab states ABS and ASA release harmful gases such as styrene at printing temperature, which can be toxic and cause dizziness or nausea[26][13]Styrene dominates. Bambu Lab states ABS and ASA release harmful gases such as styrene at printing temperature, which can be toxic and cause dizziness or nausea[26][13]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[26][13]Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[26][13]
Dust & fibre handling hazardCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[1]Glass fibre is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[2]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[16]Sands well and takes filler before painting[16]
Painting & finishingPaints readily after light abrasion[16]Paints readily after light abrasion[16]
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone smoothing is blunted by the fibre — only the resin fraction dissolves[25]Not documented
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[27][13]HIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[27][13]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedBambu Lab describes a smooth matte finish with micro-spot gloss that blurs layer lines[3]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves the resin and leaves the fibre as sludge; MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and chlorinated solvents do the same.[28][25]Acetone dissolves the resin and leaves the fibre as sludge; MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and chlorinated solvents do the same.[28][25]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[28][29]Petrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[28][29]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone vapour reaches only the resin fraction, so the fibre is left standing proud of the smoothed surface.[30][25]Acetone vapour reaches only the resin fraction, so the fibre is left standing proud of the smoothed surface.[30][25]

Material entries describe families or representative grades, not an interchangeable specification for every spool. Test methods, orientations and conditions may differ. Unknown values are marked “Not documented”. Prices and source dates remain historical snapshots; check the linked guide for product details. Differences highlight text, not a universal winner.

Sources for this comparison

  1. CarbonX Carbon Fiber ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  2. FibreX ABS+GF10 Glass Fiber ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — ABS-GF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  4. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  5. Push Plastic product catalogue Push Plastic · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. IEMAI CF-ABS 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ABS-CF Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. YXPOLYER ABS CF product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. ABS-GF — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ABS-GF Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. SUNLU ABS-GF (ABS Glass Fiber) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ABS-CF Core Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  14. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  15. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  16. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. CARBONX ABS+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  18. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  19. Carbon Fiber Filled — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  20. FIBREX ABS+GF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  21. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ABS Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  22. Polymaker ABS Pro Technical Data Sheet V1 (2026-05-29) Polymaker · 2026-05 · tds
  23. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Effects of Fiber Orientation on the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Fiber-Filled Polymer Systems in Large Format Polymer Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing Materials 15(8):2764 · 2022-04 · paper
  25. PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5 served at this URL) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  26. Emissions of Ultrafine Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds from Commercially Available Desktop Three-Dimensional Printers with Multiple Filaments (Azimi et al.) Environmental Science & Technology 50(3) 1260-1268 · 2016-01 · paper
  27. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  28. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  29. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  30. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc