3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS-CF vs PA6-CF

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

Carbon-fibre ABS (ABS-CF) guideCarbon-fibre PA6 (PA6-CF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS-CF comparisonsMore PA6-CF comparisons
ABS-CF vs PA6-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre ABS (ABS-CF)ABSCarbon-fibre PA6 (PA6-CF)PA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$35.99/kg median; $22.00–$125.00/kg across 7 dated product listings$62.48/kg median; $39.00–$133.32/kg across 6 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryABS reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[1]PA6 reinforced with chopped carbon fibre — Polymaker's grade is 20 wt%[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.11 (ISO 1183)[1]1.09 (Bambu Lab), 1.17 (Polymaker Fiberon and 3DXTech), ISO 1183[3][2][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 39–133; the middle of the market is about 80[3][10][11][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[5][6][7][8][13][9]39–133 across brands; IEMAI 3D 39, Bambu Lab 43, YXPOLYER 45, Polymaker Fiberon 80, 3DXTech CarbonX 83, Obsidian 133[3][10][14][5][11][12]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[5][6]Stocked by most mainstream brands[3][10][5][14][11][12]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75 and 2 kg spools plus Stratasys-compatible cartridges[5][6]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 2 kg spools[10][5][3]
Typical applicationsStiff tooling and fixtures that must survive above 100 °C[1]Load-bearing brackets, tooling and drone frames that must hold strength above 150 °C[3][2]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented260–290 (Bambu Lab); 280–300 (Polymaker Fiberon)[3][2]
Bed temperature°CNot documented40–50 (Polymaker Fiberon)[2]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[15]Enclosure required (passive) — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber, Polymaker room temperature[3][2]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented45–60 (Bambu Lab); room temperature (Polymaker Fiberon)[3][2]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[15][16]Engineering or high-temperature plate with glue (Bambu Lab)[3]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented8 at Bambu Lab's 100 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer; Polymaker rates its grade to 300 mm/s[3][2][17]
Warping tendency1–5Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield; the fibre reduces warping against unfilled ABS[15]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[15]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[3]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[18]Moderate — retraction tuning needed[19]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[15]Expert / industrial hardware only — enclosure, hardened nozzle, an 80 °C dry and a printer that can hold the filament dry throughout[3][2][20]
Extruder requirementNot documented0.6 mm nozzle recommended by Bambu Lab; 0.4 and 0.8 also supported[3]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[15]Hardened steel required — Polymaker measures brass nozzle life at about 9 h on PA6-CF20 and recommends hardened steel or ruby[2]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[15]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite; Polymaker puts brass nozzle life at roughly 9 h[2]
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[21][22][23]Very high — frequent jams without careful setup; the combination of moisture and fibre is the worst case in the dataset[20][2]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[16]Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed[24]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[16]Hardened steel or ruby nozzle plus an all-metal hot end rated to 300 °C[2][3]
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[25][26][21]Very high (>2 %) — 2.35 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[3]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented2.35 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[3]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented80 °C for 8–12 h (Bambu Lab); 100 °C for 10 h (Polymaker Fiberon)[3][2]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[20]Popping and cracking during extrusion, then hard-to-diagnose defects[27]
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[20]Polymaker publishes dry and wet printed blocks for PA6-CF20 itself: at 5.30 % moisture tensile falls 109.3 → 54.7 MPa and modulus 8636 → 2508 MPa, while notched Charpy rises 11.0 → 35.6 kJ/m². Fibre reinforcement reduces but does not remove the effect[2][27]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[20]Sealed below 20 % RH with desiccant; often needs to stay in a dryer while printing[20]
Hydrolysis at melt temperatureNot documentedPolymaker specifies an 80–100 °C dry and storage below 20 % RH; no molecular-weight loss figure is published, and the wet data it does publish is conditioning rather than melt hydrolysis[2][28]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa46 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]102 ± 7 (Bambu Lab) and 109.3 ± 2.4 (Polymaker Fiberon, dry/annealed) printed XY, ISO 527; the Fiberon grade falls to 54.7 ± 1.1 conditioned to 5.30 % moisture; 3DXTech quotes 63 at break[3][2][4]
Young's modulusMPa5210 (printed XY, ISO 527) — more than double unfilled ABS[1]4430 ± 310 (Bambu Lab) and 8636 ± 211 (Polymaker Fiberon, dry/annealed) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberon falls to 2508 ± 83 conditioned; 3DXTech quotes 3800[3][2][4]
Elongation at break%2 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]5.8 ± 1.6 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 3 at break[3][4]
Flexural strengthMPa76 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]161.0 ± 3.9 printed XY dry, 64.9 ± 4.9 conditioned, ISO 178 (Polymaker Fiberon); 3DXTech quotes 84[2][4]
Flexural modulusMPa5260 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]7038 ± 205 printed XY dry and 2286 ± 185 conditioned, ISO 178 (Polymaker Fiberon); 3DXTech quotes 3750[2][4]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented11.0 ± 0.3 printed XY dry and 35.6 ± 1.2 conditioned, ISO 179 notched (Polymaker Fiberon)[2]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 24.0 ± 1.0 printed XY dry and 73.0 ± 2.0 conditioned, 7.5 ± 2.7 printed Z dry (Polymaker Fiberon); Bambu Lab 40.3 ± 2.5 unnotched, 13.4 ± 1.7 notched[2][3]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented48 ± 6 (Bambu Lab) and 54.0 ± 5.2 (Polymaker Fiberon, dry) printed Z, ISO 527; Fiberon falls to 25.5 ± 1.2 conditioned[3][2]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation at break 2 %[1]Moderate[3][2]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documentedRockwell M88 / R117 on extruded PA66-GF30 stock (ASTM D785); no figure is published for a carbon-fibre nylon filament[29]
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][25][26]Good. Ensinger rates its PA66-CF30 injection-moulding compound for exceptional performance under both static and dynamic loading with 110 °C continuous service; in a printed part the fibre restrains the matrix, but conditioning to equilibrium moisture still softens it[30][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][25]Good. Ensinger states its PA66-CF30 compound has improved fatigue strength in tension, flexure and compression against unfilled and glass-filled PA66[30]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[3]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented47 (Bambu Lab) to 49 (Polymaker Fiberon), printed[3][2]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented186 (Bambu Lab) and 215 (Polymaker Fiberon), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[3][2]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented164 (Bambu Lab) and 173 (Polymaker Fiberon), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[3][2]
Glass transition (Tg)°C105 (DSC)[1]68 (Bambu Lab) to 74.2 (Polymaker Fiberon), DSC; 3DXTech quotes 70[3][2][4]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documented223 melting (Bambu Lab, DSC); Vicat 212 (ISO 306)[3]
Continuous service temperature°CNot documentedBounded by heat deflection of 164–173 °C at 1.8 MPa; no loaded-bar service figure is published[3][2]
Annealing responseNot documented100 °C for 16 h (Polymaker Fiberon)[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)[31]94 in the XY direction and 180 in Z, measured on XY-built specimens (79 and 148 on XZ/ZX-built specimens), room temperature to 60 °C, ASTM E831. From Stratasys FDM Nylon-CF10, a blended-nylon matrix with 10 wt% carbon fibre — the closest published printed CTE for a carbon-fibre nylon[32]
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedFlammable; no UL 94 rating published[2]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Not documentedMonths outdoors before embrittlement — unstabilised polyamide yellows and chalks under UV[19]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[33]Withstands oils, fuels and alkalis[19]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedAbsorbs water, properties shift[27]
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[18]Not food-contact certified[19]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[18]Not biodegradable[19]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[18]Fibre-filled polyamide is not accepted in household plastic collection[19]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — not static-dissipative (ASTM D257)[1]Surface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — not static-dissipative (3DXTech, ASTM D257)[4]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[34][15]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[34]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[34]Up to 180 caprolactam, the dominant VOC from nylon and the largest single-VOC rate in the study[34]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[34]≈2 × 10⁸ median for nylon — low for particles despite the highest VOC mass measured[34]
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[34][15]Caprolactam, at up to 180 µg/min from nylon filament[34]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[34][15]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[34]
Dust & fibre handling hazardCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[1]Fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[2]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[18]Sands to a matte finish; the fibre makes it cut more cleanly than unfilled nylon[24]
Painting & finishingPaints readily after light abrasion[18]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds polyamide[24]
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone smoothing is blunted by the fibre — only the resin fraction dissolves[33]No practical vapour smoothing[24]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[35][15]PolyDissolve S1 (Polymaker Fiberon)[2]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedConditioned parts grow; Polymaker declines to publish a standard dimensional allowance because it depends on geometry and infill[27]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves the resin and leaves the fibre as sludge; MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and chlorinated solvents do the same.[36][33]Formic acid, phenol, m-cresol and hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve the matrix at 23 °C, leaving the fibre; laboratory reagents.[37]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[36][38]Zinc chloride solutions stress-crack the nylon matrix, alcoholic calcium chloride dissolves it, mineral acids attack it.[37]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone vapour reaches only the resin fraction, so the fibre is left standing proud of the smoothed surface.[39][33]None — nylon's only solvents (formic acid, phenol, HFIP) degrade the part, and the fibre blocks surface flow anyway.[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. Fiberon PA6-CF20 Technical Data Sheet V1.1 Polymaker · 2024-12 · tds
  3. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PA6-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  4. CarbonX Carbon Fiber Nylon (Gen3) Technical Data Sheet v3.0 3DXTech · 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. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. YXPOLYER PA6 CF-Black 1 kg — product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. IEMAI 3D CF-PA6 3D Printing Filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ABS-CF Core Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  16. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  18. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. PA (Nylon) — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  21. CARBONX ABS+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  23. Carbon Fiber Filled — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Nylon — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  25. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ABS Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  26. Polymaker ABS Pro Technical Data Sheet V1 (2026-05-29) Polymaker · 2026-05 · tds
  27. Moisture Conditioning — effect on printed nylon properties Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  28. PolyMide CoPA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 (dry and wet status blocks) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  29. TECAMID 66 GF30 black (PA66-GF30) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  30. TECACOMP PA66 CF30 black — injection-moulding compound Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  31. 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
  32. FDM Nylon-CF10 — Material Data Sheet (blended nylon, 10 wt% carbon fibre) Stratasys · 2026-08 · tds
  33. PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5 served at this URL) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  34. 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
  35. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  36. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  37. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  38. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  39. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc