3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS-ESD vs ASA-CF

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

ESD-safe ABS guideCarbon-fibre ASA (ASA-CF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS-ESD comparisonsMore ASA-CF comparisons
ABS-ESD vs ASA-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyESD-safe ABSABSCarbon-fibre ASA (ASA-CF)ASA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$102.50/kg median; $47.00–$166.67/kg across 4 dated product listings$36.99/kg median; $25.00–$90.00/kg across 5 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryABS compounded with a conductive carbon filler for static-dissipative parts[1]ASA reinforced with chopped carbon fibre — Formfutura's ApolloX CF10 is 10 wt%[2][3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.09 (ISO 1183)[1]1.02 (Bambu Lab), 1.1 (Formfutura ApolloX CF10) and 1.11 (3DXTech), ISO 1183[2][3][4]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 47–167; the middle of the market is about 103[5][6][7]1 kg spools cluster near 37[8][9]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg47–167 across brands; IEMAI 47, YXPOLYER 65, 3DXTech 140 at 750 g pricing; the EMI-shielding ABS grade runs 167[5][6][7]25–90 across brands; IEMAI 25, Ambrosia 33, Bambu Lab 37, Polymaker Fiberon 40, 3DXTech 90[10][8][9][5][11]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[5]Available from several mainstream brands[8][9][5][10]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g spools[5]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75 and 1 kg spools[9][5][8]
Typical applicationsElectronics handling fixtures, trays and jigs used around static-sensitive parts[1]Outdoor structural parts, drone and antenna mounts where stiffness and UV stability both matter[2][3]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented250–280 (Bambu Lab)[2]
Bed temperature°CNot documented80–100 (Bambu Lab)[2]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[12]Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[2][12]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented45–60 (Bambu Lab)[2]
Part cooling fanNot documentedFan on (Bambu Lab)[2]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[12][13]PEI sheet, BuildTak or an adhesion aid such as Magigoo (Polymaker); Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ASA slurry[14][15]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented20 at Bambu Lab's 250 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[2][16]
Warping tendency1–5High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts[12]Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield; the fibre reduces warping against unfilled ASA[12]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[12]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[14]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[17]Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[14]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[12]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[12]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[1]Hardened steel required[12]
Abrasiveness1–5Moderately abrasive — conductive carbon filler[1]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[12]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Low — 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns and no minimum layer height for its ESD-ABS, only an 80 °C pre-dry[18]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa lists higher risk of nozzle clogging for fibre-filled composites and Simplify3D a higher tendency to clog[19][20]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[13]Slightly sensitive[15]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[13]No special hotend required[15]
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][18]Moderate — 0.33 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[2]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented0.33 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[2]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[2]
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]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published; Polymaker groups the styrenics as moderate-sensitivity and absorbed water shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[23]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[23]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates the styrenics moderate-sensitivity[23]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa58 at break (printed XY, ISO 527) — the conductive filler raises strength above the unfilled grade's 42[1][24]34 ± 3 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 48 at break and Formfutura 79 at 23 °C[2][3][4]
Young's modulusMPa2130 (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]4200 ± 270 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 5355 and Formfutura 7580[2][3][4]
Elongation at break%4 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]9.6 ± 1.4 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 3 at break and Formfutura 1.8[2][3][4]
Flexural strengthMPa80 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]72 ± 5 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 78[2][3]
Flexural modulusMPa2275 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]3740 ± 130 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 5210[2][3]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented6.2 ± 1.4 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Bambu Lab) — a third of unfilled Bambu Lab ASA's 19.6[2][25]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 14.0 ± 2.2 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179), against 41.0 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[2][25]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented30 ± 4 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); flexural Z falls to 33 against 72 in XY[2]
Brittleness1–5Moderate[1]Brittle — snaps with little warning[2][3]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Moderate — no creep test found; Tg of 105 °C keeps room-temperature service far below softening[1]Good — no creep test found; chopped carbon fibre lifts modulus to 4200 MPa against 2379–2450 for unfilled ASA[2][26]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Below average — no S-N curve found; elongation at break 4 %, well below unfilled ABS[1][24]Below average — no CF-grade S-N curve; notched Charpy falls to 6.2 kJ/m² against 19.6 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[2][25]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[2]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented88 by tensile, 46 by flexural (printed, Bambu Lab)[2]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented110 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 100 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[2][25]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented102 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 92 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[2][25]
Glass transition (Tg)°C105 (DSC)[1]Not documented
Continuous service temperature°CNot documented93 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament ASA[27]
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedFlammable; no UL 94 rating published[25]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Not documentedExcellent — designed for permanent outdoor use; the acrylate rubber phase is unchanged by the fibre[28][14]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[29]Good against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[26]
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[17]Not food safe[14]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[17]Not biodegradable[14]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[17]Not accepted in household plastic collection[14]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance 10⁷–10⁹ ohm/sq, the static-dissipative band (ASTM D257), against above 10¹³ for unfilled ABS[1][24]Surface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — not static-dissipative (3DXTech, ASTM D257)[3]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[30][12]High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[30][12]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[30]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[30]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[30][12]Styrene. Bambu Lab states ABS and ASA release harmful gases such as styrene at printing temperature, which can be toxic and cause dizziness or nausea. Azimi et al. measured styrene from every styrenic filament tested but did not test ASA itself[12][30]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[30][12]Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration[30][12]
Dust & fibre handling hazardConductive carbon filler is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[1]Carbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[3]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[17]Sands well and takes filler before painting[14]
Painting & finishingPaints readily after light abrasion[17]Paints readily; ASA holds colour outdoors so many parts are left unpainted[14]
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedSolvent-welds with acetone[26]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNot documentedAcetone vapour smoothing works[26]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[31][12]HIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a Support for ABS that also serves ASA[12]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedMatte fibre-filled finish hides layer lines[2]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[32][29]Acetone dissolves the resin and leaves the fibre; MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and chlorinated solvents attack the styrenic backbone.[32][26]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[32][33]Limonene attacks some grades — Prusa reports Prusament ASA Orange flaking apart as layer adhesion fails.[33]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[34]Acetone vapour reaches only the resin fraction, so the fibre is left standing proud of the smoothed surface.[34][26]

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. 3DXSTAT ESD-ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  2. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — ASA-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  3. CarbonX Carbon Fiber ASA Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  4. ApolloX CF10 Technical Data Sheet Formfutura · 2026-08 · tds
  5. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. IEMAI ESD-ABS 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. YXPOLYER ABS ESD product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. ASA-CF — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Filastruder product catalogue Filastruder · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. IEMAI CF-ASA 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  13. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  14. ASA — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  15. ASA — 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. 3DXSTAT ESD-ABS — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  19. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Carbon Fiber Filled — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 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. 3DXMAX ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  25. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ASA Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  26. PolyLite ASA Technical Data Sheet Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  27. Prusament ASA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  28. ASA — FDM Material Data Sheet (includes 1000 h QUV exposure results) Stratasys · 2026-08 · tds
  29. PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5 served at this URL) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  30. 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
  31. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  32. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  33. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  34. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc