3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS-CF vs LW-PLA

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

Carbon-fibre ABS (ABS-CF) guideLightweight / foaming PLA (LW-PLA) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS-CF comparisonsMore LW-PLA comparisons
ABS-CF vs LW-PLA — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre ABS (ABS-CF)ABSLightweight / foaming PLA (LW-PLA)PLA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$35.99/kg median; $22.00–$125.00/kg across 7 dated product listings$47.48/kg median; $37.49–$50.00/kg across 4 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryABS reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[1]PLA with a blowing agent. Two distinct types: active-foaming grades that expand at the nozzle (Bambu Lab PLA Aero, colorFabb LW-PLA) and pre-foamed grades that do not (Polymaker PolyLite LW-PLA, PolyWood)[2][3][4][5]
Densityg/cm³1.11 (ISO 1183)[1]Filament 1.21 (Bambu Lab) and 1.24 (colorFabb); pre-foamed filament 0.8 (PolyWood, at 21.5 °C) and 0.9 (Polymaker LW-PLA); foamed prints reach 0.40[2][3][4][5]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 22–125; the middle of the market is about 36[6][7][8][9][10]1 kg-equivalent spools cluster near 45[11][3][12]
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[6][7][8][9][13][10]37–50 across brands; Polymaker LW-PLA 37, Bambu Lab Aero 45, colorFabb 50, PolyWood 50[12][11][3]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[6][7]Available from several mainstream brands[11][12][3]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75 and 2 kg spools plus Stratasys-compatible cartridges[6][7]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.6, 0.75, 0.8 and 1 kg spools[12][3]
Typical applicationsStiff tooling and fixtures that must survive above 100 °C[1]RC aircraft, drone airframes and large props where mass matters more than strength[2][3]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented210–260 (Bambu Lab, foaming); 195–260 (colorFabb, foaming); 190–210 (Polymaker, pre-foamed)[2][3][4]
Bed temperature°CNot documented35–45 (Bambu Lab); 50–60 (colorFabb); 25–60 (Polymaker)[2][3][4]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[14]Open frame is fine[4]
Part cooling fanNot documentedFan on[2][4]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[14][15]Not documented
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented3.2–8 at the 40–100 mm/s colorFabb specifies and the 50–100 mm/s Polymaker specifies, on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[4][3][16]
Warping tendency1–5Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield; the fibre reduces warping against unfilled ABS[14]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[14]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[17]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[14]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; flow has to be cut to match the expansion[3]
Extruder requirementNot documentedBambu Lab PLA Aero is 0.4 mm nozzle only on the store and wiki, while its own TDS lists 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8[2][18]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[14]Brass fine indefinitely[4][5]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[14]Non-abrasive[4][5]
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[19][20][21]High — jams from moisture, heat creep or particles; Bambu Lab warns the foamed extrudate swells and easily clogs the nozzle, and rules out 0.2 mm nozzles[18]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[15]Not documented
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[15]Not documented
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[22][23][19]Moderate — 0.45 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.40 % equilibrium (Polymaker)[2][4]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented0.45 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.40 equilibrium (Polymaker)[2][4]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented55 °C for 6–8 h[2][4]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[24]Not documented
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[24]Polymaker rates PLA low-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures for this grade; absorbed water flashes to steam and shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[24]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[24]Not documented
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa46 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]24 ± 2 (Bambu Lab) and 24.4 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527; colorFabb falls from 43.1 unfoamed to 10.8 at 45 % flow[2][4][3]
Young's modulusMPa5210 (printed XY, ISO 527) — more than double unfilled ABS[1]1350 ± 250 (Bambu Lab) and 1689 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527; colorFabb falls from 3334 unfoamed to 864 foamed[2][4][3]
Elongation at break%2 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]2.6 ± 0.7 (Bambu Lab) and 8.8 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527[2][4]
Flexural strengthMPa76 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]45 ± 4 (Bambu Lab) and 50.2 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 178[2][4]
Flexural modulusMPa5260 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]1690 ± 120 (Bambu Lab) and 1959 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 178[2][4]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented8.2 ± 0.7 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Bambu Lab); colorFabb 3.67 foamed[2][3]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 28.8 printed XY (Bambu Lab); colorFabb 5.46 foamed[2][3]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented18 ± 3 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); flexural Z collapses to 17 against 45 in XY[2]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation at break 2 %[1]Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation at break 2.6 % in XY and 1.2 % in Z[2]
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][22][23]Poor — no foamed-grade creep test; plain printed PLA sagged from 12 to 16.2–21.8 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg, and the foam carries less solid[25][26][27]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Below average — no S-N curve found; elongation at break falls to 2 % against 10.5 % for unfilled ABS[1][22]Poor — no grade-specific S-N curve; plain printed PLA ran 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength and elongation at break falls to 2.6 % in XY and 1.2 % in Z[28][2]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[2]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented75 by tensile, 38 by flexural (printed, Bambu Lab)[2]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented53 (Bambu Lab) and 54 (Polymaker), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[2][4]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented48 (Bambu Lab) and 50 (Polymaker), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[2][4]
Glass transition (Tg)°C105 (DSC)[1]55 (Bambu Lab) and 59 (Polymaker), DSC[2][4]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documented150 peak melt (Polymaker, DSC); Vicat 60 °C[4]
Annealing responseNot documentedBambu Lab advises against annealing thin, low-infill Aero prints[2]
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)[29]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Not documentedDegrades within weeks outdoors[30]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[31]Not documented
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[17]Not documented
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[17]Not documented
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[17]Not documented
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[32][14]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[32]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[32]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[32]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[32][14]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[32][14]None needed in a normal room[32]
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[17]Not documented
Painting & finishingPaints readily after light abrasion[17]Not documented
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone smoothing is blunted by the fibre — only the resin fraction dissolves[31]Not documented
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[33][14]Not documented
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedFoamed surfaces are rough and matte; dimensional accuracy depends on holding the foaming temperature steady[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.[34][31]Chloroform dissolves the PLA matrix; the foamed wall wicks solvent right through instead of only skinning over.[35]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[34][36]Acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise the matrix but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; acetone submersion crazes parts.[35][37]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone vapour reaches only the resin fraction, so the fibre is left standing proud of the smoothed surface.[37][31]Chloroform vapour reaches only the resin skin; no workshop-safe smoothing agent exists for PLA of any kind.[38][37]

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. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V4.0 — PLA Aero Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  3. LW-PLA technical data sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  4. PolyLite LW-PLA Technical Data Sheet (V7.0) Polymaker · 2026-08 · tds
  5. PolyWood Technical Data Sheet Version 4.0 (Nov 2018) Polymaker (copy hosted by 3Dee) · 2018-11 · tds
  6. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. Push Plastic product catalogue Push Plastic · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. IEMAI CF-ABS 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ABS-CF Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. YXPOLYER ABS CF product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. PLA Aero — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ABS-CF Core Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  15. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  17. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  18. PLA Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. CARBONX ABS+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  21. Carbon Fiber Filled — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ABS Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  23. Polymaker ABS Pro Technical Data Sheet V1 (2026-05-29) Polymaker · 2026-05 · tds
  24. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  25. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  26. Polymaker PLA Pro vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  27. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  28. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  29. 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
  30. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  31. PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5 served at this URL) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  32. 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
  33. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  34. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  35. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  36. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  37. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  38. Effect of vapour smoothing in trichloromethane on 3D printed PLA — surface, mechanical and chemical structure Pitale, Keche & Chopra, Engineering Research Express 6(4) 045579 · 2024-12 · paper