3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS-CF vs PC

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

Carbon-fibre ABS (ABS-CF) guidePolycarbonate (PC) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS-CF comparisonsMore PC comparisons
ABS-CF vs PC — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre ABS (ABS-CF)ABSPolycarbonate (PC)PC
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$35.99/kg median; $22.00–$125.00/kg across 7 dated product listings$39.99/kg median; $29.99–$92.00/kg across 9 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryABS reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[1]Bisphenol-A polycarbonate — an amorphous engineering thermoplastic[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.11 (ISO 1183)[1]1.19 (Polymaker) to 1.22 (Prusament), ISO 1183; Bambu Lab 1.20; Stratasys specific gravity 1.20 (ASTM D792)[2][4][5][6]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 22–125; the middle of the market is about 36[7][8][9][10][11]1 kg spools cluster near 40[5][12][13]
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[7][8][9][10][14][11]30–92 across brands; Polymaker PolyLite 30, Bambu Lab 40, Polymaker PolyMax 52, Prusament 59, 3DXTech ezPC 64 and 3DXMAX PC 92[12][5][13][7]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[7][8]Available from several mainstream brands[5][12][7][13]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75 and 2 kg spools plus Stratasys-compatible cartridges[7][8]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75, 0.9, 1 and 3 kg spools[12][7][13]
Typical applicationsStiff tooling and fixtures that must survive above 100 °C[1]Light guides, lenses, under-bonnet automotive parts and impact-loaded housings that must hold shape above 110 °C[3][2]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented±0.03 (Prusament PC Blend)[4]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented250–280 across brands; Prusament 275 ± 10, Bambu Lab 260–280, Polymaker 250–270. Polymaker's material guide gives a wider 260–310 for PC and its composites[4][5][2][3]
Bed temperature°CNot documented90–115; Prusament 110 ± 10, Bambu Lab 90–110, Polymaker 90–105[4][5][2]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[15]Enclosure required (passive) — Polymaker specifies a 70–100 °C chamber, Bambu Lab 45–60 °C and rules out its P1P and A-series machines[2][5][15]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented70–100 (Polymaker); 45–60 (Bambu Lab)[2][5]
Part cooling fanNot documentedOff or very low — Polymaker specifies off, Prusament 20 % within a 0–30 % range, Bambu Lab 0–60 %[2][4][5]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[15][16]Textured PEI with glue when needed (Polymaker); smooth or textured PEI (Bambu Lab)[2][17]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented24 at Bambu Lab's 300 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer; Polymaker allows 50–200 mm/s and its material guide advises 30–60 for layer adhesion[5][2][3][18]
Warping tendency1–5Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield; the fibre reduces warping against unfilled ABS[15]Severe — heated chamber needed[2][3][15]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[15]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[2][15]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[19]Moderate — retraction tuning needed[3]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[15]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[3][15]
Extruder requirementNot documentedAll-metal hotend rated to 300 °C; Polymaker advises larger nozzles and high chamber temperatures to improve bonding[3]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[15]Brass fine indefinitely[15]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[15]Non-abrasive[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[20][21][22]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[3]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[16]Slightly sensitive[23]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[16]All-metal hot end required (Simplify3D); Polymaker advises a hot end rated above 300 °C[23][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[24][25][20]Low — 0.25 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); Prusa measures 0.15 % after 7 days at 22 % RH. Polymaker nonetheless calls PC highly hygroscopic in service[5][4][3]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented0.25 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.15 after 7 days at 24 °C / 22 % RH (Prusa)[5][4]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab); 75 °C for 6 h (Polymaker); 70–80 °C for 6–8 h (Polymaker material guide)[5][2][3]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[26]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[26]
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[26]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published. Polymaker calls PC highly hygroscopic and requires a 70–80 °C dry for 6–8 h; run wet, the loss shows as surface defects and poor layer adhesion[3][26]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[26]Airtight containers with desiccant to prevent reabsorption[3]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa46 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]53.4 (PolyMax) to 69.1 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 527; Bambu Lab 62 +/- 2 and Prusament 63 +/- 1 at yield; Stratasys 62.3-64.6 at yield printed XZ, ASTM D638 (its PC White table duplicates the Antero 840CN03 figures and was not used)[2][27][5][4][28][6]
Young's modulusMPa5210 (printed XY, ISO 527) — more than double unfilled ABS[1]2110 (Bambu Lab) to 2497 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 527; Prusament 1900, 3DXTech 2180[5][2][4][28]
Elongation at break%2 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]3.8 (Bambu Lab) to 4.8 (PolyLite) at break, printed XY, ISO 527; 3DXTech quotes 14 at break, Prusament 5.8 at yield[5][2][28][4]
Flexural strengthMPa76 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]81.3 (PolyMax) to 108 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 178; Prusament 88 ± 1, PolyLite 106.1[27][5][4][2]
Flexural modulusMPa5260 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]2050 (PolyMax) to 2640 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 178; Prusament 2100[27][2][4]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented4.1 (PolyLite) to 21.3 (PolyMax) printed XY, ISO 179, notched; Prusament 12 ± 1[2][27][4]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched does not break on Prusa's pendulum in either orientation (ISO 179-1); PolyMax PC retains 9.2 kJ/m2 notched at -30 °C. Stratasys PC Black gives 85.3 MPa flexural strength at break in ZX against no break in XZ (ASTM D790, printed)[4][27][6]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented37.1-45.3 at yield printed ZX (Stratasys PC Black and Red, ASTM D638); 41.4 (PolyMax) to 56 (Bambu Lab) printed Z; Prusa's interlayer adhesion test gives 21 +/- 2[4][27][5][6]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation at break 2 %[1]Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[3][4]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documentedShore D 79 (Prusa Polymers method) and Shore D 79 on extruded PC stock (ASTM D2240); Rockwell 70 (118) — the source does not name the scales[4][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][24][25]Excellent — holds load for years. Room-temperature tensile creep of moulded PC was still running unbroken at 41 MPa when the experiment was stopped for time; specimens failed within the test window only at 47-52 MPa (ASTM D638)[30]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Below average — no S-N curve found; elongation at break falls to 2 % against 10.5 % for unfilled ABS[1][24]Good[4][3]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[2]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented59-73 (Stratasys PC Black and Red, ZX against XZ tensile yield, ASTM D638); 76 for PolyLite PC and 90 for Bambu Lab (printed Z against XY tensile)[5][2][6]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented110 (PolyMax PC-FR) to 114 (PolyMax PC), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa; Bambu Lab 112, PolyLite 111, Prusament 113. Stratasys FDM PC reaches 144 printed (ASTM D648 Method B at 66 psi)[27][2][5][4][6]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented93 (Prusament) to 117 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa; PolyLite 107, PolyMax 99. Stratasys FDM PC reaches 141 printed (ASTM D648 Method B at 264 psi)[4][5][2][27][6]
Glass transition (Tg)°C105 (DSC)[1]113 (Polymaker, DSC), 142.5 (Stratasys, ASTM D7426 inflection point) and 145 (Bambu Lab, DSC); Polymaker's material guide quotes 150[2][5][3][6]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documentedAmorphous — no melting point; Vicat 117–120 (Polymaker, ISO 306); decomposition above 360 °C[2][27]
Continuous service temperature°CNot documented113 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament PC Blend; extruded PC stock is rated 121 long term (converted from 250 °F)[4][29]
Annealing responseNot documented90 °C for 2 h (Polymaker)[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]51.6 in XY over -50 to 30 °C, falling to 35.8 over 30-75 °C and 11.5 over 75-130 °C; 49.2 in XZ over -50 to 120 °C (printed, ASTM E831). Extruded PC stock gives 68.4 (ASTM D696)[6][29]
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedFlammable; no UL 94 rating on standard PC, though V-0 grades exist[32][2]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Not documentedDegrades within weeks outdoors — unstabilised PC yellows and embrittles under UV[3]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[33]Withstands oils, solvents and fuels; Polymaker rates it good against weak acids[3]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedGood — minor absorption[5]
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[19]Bisphenol-A polycarbonate is not offered as food-contact filament[3]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[19]Not biodegradable[3]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[19]Mechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[3]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — not static-dissipative (ASTM D257)[1]Surface resistance above 10¹³ ohm/sq — an electrical insulator, which Polymaker lists as a headline advantage[28][3]
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]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[34]≈4 × 10¹⁰ median — the highest ultrafine-particle rate of the nine filaments in the chamber study, above every ABS tested[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]Not documented
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][15]
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[19]Sands and machines well; the toughness means it cuts rather than chips[23]
Painting & finishingPaints readily after light abrasion[19]Optical clarity survives printing, so transparent parts are usually left unpainted[3]
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedCyanoacrylate; dichloromethane solvent-welds PC but is a laboratory reagent[23]
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone smoothing is blunted by the fibre — only the resin fraction dissolves[33]No practical vapour smoothing[23]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[35][15]Prints its own supports; 3DXTech sells a dedicated PC break-away support[23]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedWarping is the dominant accuracy limit; light transmission 89 % on PolyLite PC (GB/T 2410)[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.[36][33]Dichloromethane, chloroform, DMF and dioxane dissolve it outright (Covestro, 6 days at 23 °C). 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]Methanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell 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]Dichloromethane cement welds PC — 16.5 MPa lap shear at one week (IPS Weld-On 3). A controlled carcinogen.[40]

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. PolyLite PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  3. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  4. Prusament PC Blend Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  5. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V2.0 — PC Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  6. PC (Polycarbonate) — FDM Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2026-04 · tds
  7. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Push Plastic product catalogue Push Plastic · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. IEMAI CF-ABS 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ABS-CF Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. YXPOLYER ABS CF product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ABS-CF Core Filament product page Siraya Tech · 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. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — PC FR Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  18. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  19. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  20. CARBONX ABS+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  21. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Carbon Fiber Filled — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  23. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ABS Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  25. Polymaker ABS Pro Technical Data Sheet V1 (2026-05-29) Polymaker · 2026-05 · tds
  26. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  27. PolyMax PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  28. ezPC Polycarbonate Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  29. TECANAT natural (PC) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  30. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  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. PolyMax PC-FR Technical Data Sheet V5.5 Polymaker · 2024-11 · 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. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  38. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  39. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  40. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds