3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS-FR vs PA6-GF

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

Flame-retardant ABS (FR-ABS) guideGlass-fibre PA6 (PA6-GF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS-FR comparisonsMore PA6-GF comparisons
ABS-FR vs PA6-GF — documented properties and sources
PropertyFlame-retardant ABS (FR-ABS)ABSGlass-fibre PA6 (PA6-GF)PA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$52.00/kg median; $44.99–$120.00/kg across 5 dated product listings$59.98/kg median; $39.99–$130.00/kg across 6 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryABS with a flame-retardant package; 3DXTech rates the base resin UL 94 V-0[1]PA6 reinforced with chopped glass fibre — Polymaker's grade is 25 wt%[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.18 (ISO 1183) — above unfilled ABS at 1.05 because of the retardant loading[1][4]1.14 (Bambu Lab) and 1.20 (Polymaker Fiberon), 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 40–130; the middle of the market is about 60[3][9][10]
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]40–130 across brands; SUNLU 40, YXPOLYER 45, Polymaker Fiberon and Bambu Lab 60, 3DXTech FibreX 87, Obsidian Nylon 6+GF 130[9][3][5][10][11]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[5]Stocked by most mainstream brands[3][9][5][10][11]
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][3]
Typical applicationsElectrical enclosures and transport interiors that must meet a flammability rating[1]Stiff, heat-resistant structural parts where a matte finish and lower cost beat carbon fibre[3][2]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented260–290 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[12]Enclosure required (passive) — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[3]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented45–60 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[12][13]PEI sheet with a glue stick, or a dedicated adhesive such as Magigoo[14][15]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented10 at Bambu Lab's 130 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[3][16]
Warping tendency1–5High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts[12]Not documented
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]Moderate — retraction tuning needed[15]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[12]Expert / industrial hardware only[3][18]
Extruder requirementNot documented0.6 mm nozzle recommended by Bambu Lab; 0.4 and 0.8 also supported[3]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[12]Hardened steel required — Polymaker measures brass nozzle life at about 9 h on PA6-GF25 and recommends hardened steel or ruby[2]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[1]Highly abrasive — standard GF composite; Polymaker puts brass nozzle life at roughly 9 h on PA6-GF25[2]
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[19]Very high — frequent jams without careful setup[18]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[13]Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed[14]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[13]May require an all-metal hot end (Simplify3D)[14]
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][20][19]Very high (>2 %) — 2.56 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab) and 3.33 % equilibrium (Polymaker Fiberon), the highest in the dataset[3][2]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented2.56 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 3.33 equilibrium (Polymaker Fiberon PA6-GF25)[3][2]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented80 °C for 8–12 h (Bambu Lab)[3]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[18]Popping and cracking during extrusion, then hard-to-diagnose defects[21]
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[18]Polymaker publishes dry and wet printed blocks for PA6-GF25 itself: at 4.57 % moisture tensile falls 80.1 → 40.2 MPa and modulus 5357 → 1794 MPa, while notched Charpy rises 10.0 → 28.0 kJ/m²[2][21]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[18]Sealed below 20 % RH with desiccant[18]
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[22][23]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa45 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]75 ± 6 (Bambu Lab) and 80.1 ± 1.8 (Polymaker Fiberon, dry/annealed) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberon falls to 40.2 ± 2.1 conditioned to 4.57 % moisture. Stratasys FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR gives 60.2-61.1 at break and 61.7-62.3 at yield printed XZ (ASTM D638)[3][2][24]
Young's modulusMPa1990 (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]2850 ± 260 (Bambu Lab) and 5357 ± 211 (Polymaker Fiberon, dry) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberon falls to 1794 ± 84 conditioned. Stratasys FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR gives 5600-5830 printed XZ against 3050-3140 in ZX (ASTM D638)[3][2][24]
Elongation at break%4 at break (printed XY, ISO 527) — well below the 10 % of unfilled 3DXTech ABS[1][25]2.4 ± 0.2 dry (Polymaker Fiberon) to 3.9 ± 0.8 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 527; the Fiberon grade rises to 4.2 ± 0.7 conditioned[3][2]
Flexural strengthMPa80 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]Not documented
Flexural modulusMPa2250 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]3670 ± 140 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented10.0 ± 0.7 printed XY dry and 28.0 ± 1.0 conditioned, ISO 179 notched (Polymaker Fiberon); Bambu Lab 7.2 ± 2.3[2][3]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 27.2 ± 2.2 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179). Stratasys FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR gives Izod notched 74.6-77.1 J/m printed XZ against 17.2-22.1 in ZX (ASTM D256)[3][24]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented27 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) and 60.7 ± 1.1 (Polymaker Fiberon, dry) printed Z, ISO 527 — the two makers differ by more than a factor of two; Fiberon falls to 26.3 ± 1.5 conditioned. Stratasys FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR gives 23.7-24.4 at break printed ZX (ASTM D638)[3][2][24]
Brittleness1–5Moderate — elongation at break falls to 4 % from 10 % for the unfilled grade[1][25]Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation at break 2.4 % in XY[2]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documentedRockwell M88 / R117 on extruded PA66-GF30 stock (ASTM D785)[26]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Moderate — no creep test found; Tg of 105 °C keeps room-temperature service far below softening[1][25]Good. Ensinger lists high creep resistance as a headline property of extruded PA66-GF30 stock; the rating is held below Excellent because equilibrium moisture uptake of 3.33 % softens the matrix in service[26][2]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Below average — no S-N curve found; elongation at break falls to 4 % against 10 % for unfilled 3DXTech ABS[1][25]Good. Ensinger lists high fatigue strength as a headline property of extruded PA66-GF30 stock[26]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[3]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented36 (Bambu Lab) to 76 (Polymaker Fiberon), printed; Stratasys FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR gives 39-41 (ZX against XZ tensile at break, ASTM D638)[3][2][24]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented182 (Bambu Lab) and 191 (Polymaker Fiberon), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa. Stratasys FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR gives 161 printed XY and 185 XZ (ASTM D648 at 66 psi)[3][2][24]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented157 (Polymaker Fiberon) and 158 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[3][2]
Glass transition (Tg)°C105 (DSC)[1]67 (Bambu Lab) and 70.4 (Polymaker Fiberon), DSC; Stratasys measures 51.5 on FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR (ASTM D7426)[3][2][24]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documented214.5 (Polymaker Fiberon) and 219 (Bambu Lab) melting, DSC; Vicat 210–212 (ISO 306)[3][2]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·KNot documented48.6 on extruded PA66-GF30 stock (ASTM D696; source states 2.7e-5 in/in/°F). Stratasys measures much higher on printed FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR — 95.4 over -20 to 5 °C and 214 over 25 to 80 °C in XY (ASTM E831)[26][24]
Flammability / UL 94UL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm, rated on the base resin rather than the printed part[1]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for the grades surveyed[22]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Not documentedMonths outdoors before embrittlement — unstabilised polyamide yellows under UV[15]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[27]Withstands oils, fuels and alkalis[15]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedAbsorbs water, properties shift[21]
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[17]Not food-contact certified as filament[15]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[17]Not biodegradable[15]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[17]Not accepted in household plastic collection[15]
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedSurface resistivity above 10¹² ohm — insulating (Polymaker Fiberon, ANSI/ESD S11.11)[2]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[28][12]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[28]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[28]Up to 180 caprolactam, the dominant VOC from nylon and the largest single-VOC rate in the study[28]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min2 × 10¹⁰ to 9 × 10¹⁰ median across all ABS printers, two orders of magnitude above PLA's ≈1 × 10⁸[28]≈2 × 10⁸ median for nylon — low for particles despite the highest VOC mass measured[28]
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[28][12]Caprolactam, at up to 180 µg/min from nylon filament[28]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[28][12]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[28]
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[17]Sands poorly — gums rather than powders[14]
Painting & finishingPaints readily after light abrasion[17]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds polyamide[14]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNot documentedNo practical vapour smoothing[14]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[29][12]Not documented
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[30][27]Formic acid, phenol, m-cresol and hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve the matrix at 23 °C, leaving the fibre; laboratory reagents.[31]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[30][32]Zinc chloride solutions stress-crack the nylon matrix, alcoholic calcium chloride dissolves it, mineral acids attack it.[31]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[33]None — nylon's only solvents (formic acid, phenol, HFIP) degrade the part, and the fibre blocks surface flow anyway.[31]

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. Fiberon PA6-GF25 Technical Data Sheet V1.1 Polymaker · 2024-12 · tds
  3. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PA6-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. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. SUNLU Nylon-6 Glass Fiber (PA6-GF) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg — product page SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. YXPOLYER PA6-GF Black 1 kg — product page YXPOLYER · 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. Nylon — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  15. PA (Nylon) — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  17. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  18. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. FIREWIRE FR-ABS — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Polymaker ABS Pro Technical Data Sheet V1 (2026-05-29) Polymaker · 2026-05 · tds
  21. Moisture Conditioning — effect on printed nylon properties Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Fiberon PA6-CF20 Technical Data Sheet V1.1 Polymaker · 2024-12 · tds
  23. PolyMide CoPA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 (dry and wet status blocks) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  24. FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR — Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2026-07 · tds
  25. 3DXMAX ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  26. TECAMID 66 GF30 black (PA66-GF30) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  27. PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5 served at this URL) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  28. 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
  29. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  30. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  31. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  32. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  33. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc