3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS-FR vs ABS-GF

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

Flame-retardant ABS (FR-ABS) guideGlass-fibre ABS (ABS-GF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS-FR comparisonsMore ABS-GF comparisons
ABS-FR vs ABS-GF — documented properties and sources
PropertyFlame-retardant ABS (FR-ABS)ABSGlass-fibre ABS (ABS-GF)ABS
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$52.00/kg median; $44.99–$120.00/kg across 5 dated product listings$34.99/kg median; $24.49–$73.33/kg across 4 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryABS with a flame-retardant package; 3DXTech rates the base resin UL 94 V-0[1]ABS reinforced with chopped glass fibre — 3DXTech's grade is nominally 10 wt%[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.18 (ISO 1183) — above unfilled ABS at 1.05 because of the retardant loading[1][4]1.08 (Bambu Lab) and 1.15 (3DXTech), ISO 1183[3][2]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 45–120; the middle of the market is about 52[5][6][7][8]1 kg-equivalent spools span 24–73; the middle of the market is about 35[9][5][10][11]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg45–120 across brands; SUNLU 45, YXPOLYER 50, Coex 3D 52, 3DXTech 107 at 750 g pricing; the FR PC/ABS grade runs 120[5][6][7][8]24–73 across brands; Siraya Tech 24, Bambu Lab 30, SUNLU 40, 3DXTech 73[9][5][10][11]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[5]Available from several mainstream brands[9][5]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g spools[5]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g and 1 kg spools[5][9]
Typical applicationsElectrical enclosures and transport interiors that must meet a flammability rating[1]Stiff, dimensionally stable enclosure and tooling parts; Bambu Lab notes the fibre blurs layer lines into a matte finish[3]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented240–280 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Bed temperature°CNot documented80–100 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[12]Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[3][12]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented45–60 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Part cooling fanNot documented0–80 % (Bambu Lab)[3]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[12][13]Clean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[12][13]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented14 at Bambu Lab's 180 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[3][14]
Warping tendency1–5High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts[12]Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield; Bambu Lab positions the fibre as reducing warping[3]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[12]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[12]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[15]Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[15]
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 required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[12]Hardened steel required[12]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[1]Highly abrasive — standard GF composite[12]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Low — 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns and no minimum layer height for its FR-ABS, only an 80 °C pre-dry[16]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; 3DXTech specifies a hardened 0.4 mm minimum nozzle and 0.25 mm layers or higher for the glass-filled grade[17][18]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[13]Slightly sensitive[13]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[13]No special hot-end required[13]
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[4][19][16]Moderate — 0.53 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[3]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented0.53 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[3]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[3]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[20]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[20]
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 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]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[20]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[20]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa45 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]36 ± 3 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 68 at break[3][2]
Young's modulusMPa1990 (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]3160 ± 170 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 4210[3][2]
Elongation at break%4 at break (printed XY, ISO 527) — well below the 10 % of unfilled 3DXTech ABS[1][21]6.3 ± 1.2 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 2 at break[3][2]
Flexural strengthMPa80 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]68 ± 4 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 70[3][2]
Flexural modulusMPa2250 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]2860 ± 130 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 4420[3][2]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented4.2 ± 1.1 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Bambu Lab)[3]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 14.5 ± 1.5 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179)[3]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented29 ± 3 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Brittleness1–5Moderate — elongation at break falls to 4 % from 10 % for the unfilled grade[1][21]Brittle — snaps with little warning; notched Charpy falls from 21.5 to 4.2 kJ/m² against unfilled Bambu Lab ABS[3][4]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Moderate — no creep test found; Tg of 105 °C keeps room-temperature service far below softening[1][21]Good — no creep test found; chopped glass fibre lifts modulus to 3160 MPa against 2200 for unfilled Bambu Lab ABS[3][4]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Below average — no S-N curve found; elongation at break falls to 4 % against 10 % for unfilled 3DXTech ABS[1][21]Below average — no S-N curve found; notched Charpy falls to 4.2 kJ/m² against 21.5 for unfilled Bambu Lab ABS[3][4]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[3]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented81 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile)[3]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented99 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 87 for unfilled Bambu Lab ABS[3][4]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented88 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 84 for unfilled Bambu Lab ABS[3][4]
Glass transition (Tg)°C105 (DSC)[1]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94UL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm, rated on the base resin rather than the printed part[1]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[22]Good against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[22]
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[15]Not food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[15]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[15]Not biodegradable[15]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[15]Mechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[15]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[23][12]High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[23][12]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[23]12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[23]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[23]2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[23]
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[23][12]Styrene 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[23][12]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[23][12]Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[23][12]
Dust & fibre handling hazardNot documentedGlass fibre is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[2]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[15]Sands well and takes filler before painting[15]
Painting & finishingPaints readily after light abrasion[15]Paints readily after light abrasion[15]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[24][12]HIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[24][12]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedBambu Lab describes a smooth matte finish with micro-spot gloss that blurs layer lines[3]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[25][22]Acetone dissolves the resin and leaves the fibre as sludge; MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and chlorinated solvents do the same.[25][22]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[25][26]Petrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[25][26]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[27]Acetone vapour reaches only the resin fraction, so the fibre is left standing proud of the smoothed surface.[27][22]

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. Firewire Flame Retardant ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  2. FibreX ABS+GF10 Glass Fiber ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — ABS-GF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ABS Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  5. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. SUNLU ABS-FR (ABS Flame Retardant) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. YXPOLYER ABS Flame-Retardant product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Flame Retardant Black ABS Coex 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. ABS-GF — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ABS-GF Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. SUNLU ABS-GF (ABS Glass Fiber) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 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. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  15. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  16. FIREWIRE FR-ABS — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  17. FIBREX ABS+GF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  18. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  19. Polymaker ABS Pro Technical Data Sheet V1 (2026-05-29) Polymaker · 2026-05 · tds
  20. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  21. 3DXMAX ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  22. PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5 served at this URL) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  23. 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
  24. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  25. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  26. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  27. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc