3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS-CF vs e-TPU

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

Carbon-fibre ABS (ABS-CF) guideFoaming / expanded TPU (TPU Aero / TPU Air) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS-CF comparisonsMore e-TPU comparisons
ABS-CF vs e-TPU — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre ABS (ABS-CF)ABSFoaming / expanded TPU (TPU Aero / TPU Air)FLEX
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$35.99/kg median; $22.00–$125.00/kg across 7 dated product listings$52.05/kg median; $41.99–$85.29/kg across 6 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryABS reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[1]Foaming thermoplastic polyurethane — a blowing agent expands the extrudate so the printed Shore hardness can be tuned by flow rate[2]
Densityg/cm³1.11 (ISO 1183)[1]1.15 filament (Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air) and 1.05 (Roamr TPU Air HR), ISO 1183; the printed part falls to 0.51–0.93 depending on nozzle temperature (ISO 845)[3][4]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 22–125; the middle of the market is about 36[5][6][7][8][9]1 kg-equivalent spools span 42–85; the middle of the market is about 52[10][11][12][13][14][15]
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[5][6][7][8][16][9]42–85 across brands; QIDI TPU-Aero 42, Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air 45, Phaetus aeFlex TPU-Aero 49 direct and 40 at West3D, Roamr TPU Air HR 80A 55 at 800 g, Recreus Filaflex Foamy 73 at 750 g, colorFabb varioShore 85 at 700 g[10][11][12][13][14][15][17]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[5][6]Available from several mainstream brands — colorFabb, Recreus, QIDI, Phaetus, Siraya Tech and FusRock all sell an active-foaming TPU[2][10][11][12][14][15]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75 and 2 kg spools plus Stratasys-compatible cartridges[5][6]1.75 mm; 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 1 and 3 kg spools[2][10][12][13][15]
Typical applicationsStiff tooling and fixtures that must survive above 100 °C[1]Cushioning, midsoles, insoles and soft-touch parts where the softness needs to vary within one print; Siraya Tech's Roamr line is aimed specifically at printed footwear[2][13]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented0.03 (Siraya Tech and Roamr, 1.75 mm)[3][4]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented230–270 (QIDI and Siraya Tech), 220–260 (Roamr); foaming activates near 230 °C and is strongest at the top of the range[2][3][4][14]
Bed temperature°CNot documented30–45 (QIDI and Siraya Tech), 35–50 (Roamr) — a hot bed makes the foamed part over-stick[3][4][14]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[18]Open frame is fine — Roamr states no enclosure is required[2][4]
Part cooling fanNot documented100 % — cooling sets the foamed structure quickly (Siraya Tech and Roamr)[3][4]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[18][19]PEI sheet or painter's tape; Polymaker warns TPU can over-stick and advises a glue stick as a release agent, and Siraya Tech recommends PVP glue or Magigoo as a release agent on PEI[20][21][3]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documentedUp to 12 (Siraya Tech, Flex TPU Air)[12]
Warping tendency1–5Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield; the fibre reduces warping against unfilled ABS[18]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[18]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[22]Severe — the material expands inside the hot end, so it oozes on travel moves; QIDI states retraction tuning cannot fix it and Siraya Tech advises setting retraction distance and speed to zero[3][14]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[18]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; both density and hardness follow nozzle temperature and flow[2]
Extruder requirementNot documentedDirect drive; the base material is a 92A TPU[2][23]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[18]Brass fine indefinitely — Roamr states plainly that no hardened nozzle is needed[24][4]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[18]Non-abrasive[24]
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[25][26][27]Not documented
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[19]Not documented
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[19]No special hot-end required, but a direct-drive extruder is (Simplify3D)[20]
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[28][29][25]Moderate[30]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented1.09 water absorption (QIDI TPU-Aero; the standard is not stated)[14]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented70–80 °C for 4–6 h; keep below 15 % RH while printing (Siraya Tech, Roamr and QIDI)[3][4][14]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[30]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface; Siraya Tech adds that moisture wrecks the foaming itself, not only the surface[30][3]
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[30]Polymaker groups TPU with the highly hygroscopic materials; no dry-versus-conditioned figures are published[30]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[30]Sealed with desiccant; often kept in a dryer during the print[30]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa46 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]Falls with foaming: colorFabb 24 unfoamed and 12 foamed (ISO 527-1A); Siraya Tech 10.3 at break printed at 240 °C down to 3.8 at 270 °C; QIDI 6.81 at break (ISO 527, XY)[2][3][14]
Young's modulusMPa5210 (printed XY, ISO 527) — more than double unfilled ABS[1]50 unfoamed and 40 foamed (colorFabb, ISO 527-1A)[2]
Elongation at break%2 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]465 unfoamed and 450 foamed (colorFabb, ISO 527-1A); Siraya Tech 629 at 240 °C down to 475 at 270 °C; Roamr 760 down to 540; QIDI 576 (ISO 527, XY)[2][3][4][14]
Flexural strengthMPa76 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]Not documented
Flexural modulusMPa5260 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]50 unfoamed and 40 foamed flexural modulus (colorFabb, ISO 178)[2]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation at break 2 %[1]Very ductile — bends far before failing[2]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documentedTunable by nozzle temperature: colorFabb 92 Shore A unfoamed; Siraya Tech 78 A printed at 240 °C falling to 63 A at 270 °C, Roamr TPU Air HR 80A 80 A down to 66 A and HR 85A 83 A down to 70 A (ISO 7619)[2][3][4][31]
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][28][29]Poor — no foamed-grade creep test; a printed 95A TPU bar crept from 74.5 to 82.7 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[32]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Below average — no S-N curve found; elongation at break falls to 2 % against 10.5 % for unfilled ABS[1][28]Excellent — living hinges viable[21]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rubbery / highly elastic[2]
Thermal Properties
Glass transition (Tg)°C105 (DSC)[1]Not documented
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documentedVicat softening drops as the foam expands: 83 printed at 240 °C to 53 at 270 °C (Siraya Tech, ISO 306); QIDI 70.4[3][14]
Annealing responseNot documentedFoaming activates near 230 °C and expands the extrudate about 1.6×; colorFabb advises dropping flow to 60–70 % to realise the weight saving, and Siraya Tech publishes a flow schedule from 85–90 % at 230 °C down to 50–55 % at 270 °C[2][3]
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)[33]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Not documentedGood — years with some colour shift; Polymaker lists UV exposure among the conditions TPU withstands[21]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[34]Withstands industrial solvents and UV exposure (Polymaker)[21]
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[22]Not food safe without specific certification (Polymaker)[21]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[22]Not biodegradable[21]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[22]Not accepted in household plastic collection[21]
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[35][18]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; TPU was not among the nine filaments in the chamber study[35]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[35]Not documented
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[35]Not documented
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[35][18]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[35][18]Open a window / occasional ventilation[35]
Dust & fibre handling hazardCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[1]Not documented
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[22]Difficult to sand or smooth; Polymaker limits post-processing to trimming or tumbling[21]
Painting & finishingPaints readily after light abrasion[22]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedCyanoacrylate bonds TPU; no common solvent welds it[21]
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone smoothing is blunted by the fibre — only the resin fraction dissolves[34]No practical vapour smoothing[21]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[36][18]Polymaker warns TPU supports are often very difficult to remove[21]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedFoamed surfaces are matte and textured; holding a consistent hardness means holding the nozzle temperature steady, and the printed density moves by nearly a factor of two across the 230–270 °C window[2][3]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves the resin and leaves the fibre as sludge; MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and chlorinated solvents do the same.[37][34]DMF, DMSO, NMP and THF dissolve TPU; acetone, MEK and cyclohexanone are partial solvents. All laboratory reagents.[38]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[37][39]Toluene and benzene swell it up to +50 % by weight at 23 °C; the foamed wall soaks up esters and alcohols faster still.[38]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone vapour reaches only the resin fraction, so the fibre is left standing proud of the smoothed surface.[40][34]None practical — the true solvents (DMF, THF, NMP) are laboratory reagents and leave the joint swollen and weak.[38]

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. varioShore TPU Technical Data Sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Roamr TPU Air HR 80A Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  5. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. Push Plastic product catalogue Push Plastic · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. IEMAI CF-ABS 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ABS-CF Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. YXPOLYER ABS CF product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Recreus product catalogue Recreus · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. varioShore TPU Natural — product page colorFabb US · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air Black Filament — lightweight foaming flexible, product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Roamr TPU Air HR 80A Filament — product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. TPU-Aero Lightweight TPU Filament — product page with specification tables QIDI Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. aeFlex TPU-Aero — active foaming low weight TPU, product page Phaetus · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ABS-CF Core Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. Phaetus aeWorthy TPU-Aero — reseller listing West3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Flexible (TPE/TPU) — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  21. TPU — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  22. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  23. NinjaFlex 85A Technical Specifications NinjaTek · 2026-08 · tds
  24. Extrudr Product Catalogue (DURAPRO PA12 data block) Extrudr · 2025-03 · tds
  25. CARBONX ABS+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  26. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  27. Carbon Fiber Filled — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  28. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ABS Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  29. Polymaker ABS Pro Technical Data Sheet V1 (2026-05-29) Polymaker · 2026-05 · tds
  30. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  31. Roamr TPU Air HR 85A Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  32. BambuLab TPU 95A HF vs Qidi TPU 95A HF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2024-02 · test
  33. 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
  34. PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5 served at this URL) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  35. 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
  36. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  37. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  38. Elastollan — Chemical properties: swelling and chemical resistance BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  39. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  40. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc