3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS-FR vs PC-CF

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

Flame-retardant ABS (FR-ABS) guideCarbon-fibre PC (PC-CF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS-FR comparisonsMore PC-CF comparisons
ABS-FR vs PC-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyFlame-retardant ABS (FR-ABS)ABSCarbon-fibre PC (PC-CF)PC
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$52.00/kg median; $44.99–$120.00/kg across 5 dated product listings$62.58/kg median; $34.99–$117.33/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]Polycarbonate reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.18 (ISO 1183) — above unfilled ABS at 1.05 because of the retardant loading[1][4]1.22 (Prusament) and 1.36 (3DXTech), ISO 1183[2][3]
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 35–117; the middle of the market is about 63[9][10][5][11][12]
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]35–117 across brands; Ambrosia 35, IEMAI 39, YXPOLYER 55, Spectrum PC CF 70, Prusament 94, 3DXTech 117[9][10][5][11][12]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[5]Available from several mainstream brands[9][5][13]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g spools[5]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75, 0.8 and 1 kg spools[9][5]
Typical applicationsElectrical enclosures and transport interiors that must meet a flammability rating[1]Stiff high-temperature structural parts — jigs, drone frames and under-bonnet brackets[2][3]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented±0.04 (Prusament PC Blend Carbon Fiber)[2]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented285 ± 10 (Prusament)[2]
Bed temperature°CNot documented110 ± 10 (Prusament)[2]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[14]Enclosure required (passive)[2][14]
Part cooling fanNot documentedOff — Prusa allows 0–20 % and warns cooling significantly reduces interlayer adhesion[2]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[14][15]PEI with a glue stick or a commercial adhesive[16]
Warping tendency1–5High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts[14]High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts; the fibre reduces warping against unfilled PC[2][14]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[14]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[16][17]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[18]Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker flags stringing as a common PC problem[17]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[14]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; hardened nozzle mandatory[14][2]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[14]Hardened steel required[14]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[1]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[14]
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]High — jams from moisture, heat creep or particles; PC already absorbs water from the air and 3DXTech adds a hardened 0.4 mm minimum nozzle, 0.25 mm layers and a 120 °C pre-dry[20][16][21]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[15]Slightly sensitive[16]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[15]All-metal hot end required (Simplify3D)[16]
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][22][19]Low (0.1–0.3 %) — the PC matrix takes up 0.15–0.25 % and 3DXTech specifies a 120 °C, 4 h pre-dry[23][24][20]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented0.11 after 7 days at 24 °C / 22 % RH (Prusa Polymers)[2]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[25]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[25]
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[25]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[17][25]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[25]Airtight containers with desiccant to prevent reabsorption[17]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa45 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]64 ± 3 printed horizontal and 70 ± 3 printed vertical at yield, ISO 527-1 (Prusament); 3DXTech quotes 73 at break[2][3]
Young's modulusMPa1990 (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]2600 printed horizontal and 3200 printed vertical, ISO 527-1 (Prusament); 3DXTech quotes 6980[2][3]
Elongation at break%4 at break (printed XY, ISO 527) — well below the 10 % of unfilled 3DXTech ABS[1][26]4.6 at yield printed horizontal (Prusament); 3DXTech quotes 2.1 at break[2][3]
Flexural strengthMPa80 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]94 ± 3 printed horizontal and 130 ± 2 printed vertical, ISO 178 (Prusament); 3DXTech quotes 85[2][3]
Flexural modulusMPa2250 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]3500 printed horizontal and 4200 printed vertical, ISO 178 (Prusament); 3DXTech quotes 6540[2][3]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented12 ± 1 printed horizontal and 17 ± 2 printed vertical, ISO 179-1 notched (Prusament)[2]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 32 ± 5 printed horizontal and 35 ± 4 printed vertical (Prusament, ISO 179-1)[2]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented23 ± 2 (Prusa Polymers interlayer adhesion test) — above the 21 ± 2 of unfilled Prusament PC Blend[2][24]
Brittleness1–5Moderate — elongation at break falls to 4 % from 10 % for the unfilled grade[1][26]Moderate[2][3]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documented83 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method), against 79 for unfilled Prusament PC Blend[2][24]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Moderate — no creep test found; Tg of 105 °C keeps room-temperature service far below softening[1][26]Excellent — holds load for years. Room-temperature tensile creep of moulded unfilled PC ran unbroken at 41 MPa until the test was stopped; short carbon fibre raises the flexural modulus from about 2.1 to 3.5-6.5 GPa, which reduces creep strain further[27][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][26]Good. No fatigue test data was found for a carbon-fibre PC filament; the unfilled polymer is rated Good on the same scale[27]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[2]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented114 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Prusament)[2]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented106 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Prusament), against 93 for unfilled Prusament PC Blend[2][24]
Glass transition (Tg)°C105 (DSC)[1]127 (3DXTech, DSC)[3]
Continuous service temperature°CNot documented113 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament PC Blend[24]
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
UV resistance1–5Not documentedDegrades within weeks outdoors unless stabilised[17]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[28]Withstands oils, solvents and fuels; Polymaker rates it good against weak acids[17]
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[18]Bisphenol-A polycarbonate is not offered as food-contact filament[17]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[18]Not biodegradable[17]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[18]Mechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[17]
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedSurface 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[29][14]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[29]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[29]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[29]≈4 × 10¹⁰ median — the highest ultrafine-particle rate of the nine filaments in the chamber study, above every ABS tested[29]
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[29][14]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[29][14]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[29][14]
Dust & fibre handling hazardNot documentedCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[3]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[18]Sands and machines well; the toughness means it cuts rather than chips[16]
Painting & finishingPaints readily after light abrasion[18]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedCyanoacrylate; dichloromethane solvent-welds PC but is a laboratory reagent[16]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNot documentedNo practical vapour smoothing[16]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[30][14]Prints its own supports; 3DXTech sells a dedicated PC break-away support[16]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[31][28]Dichloromethane and chloroform dissolve the matrix and leave the fibre; DMF and dioxane do the same (Covestro).[32]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[31][33]Methanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell it.[32]
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]Dichloromethane cement welds the resin, but the fibre keeps the joint from flowing closed. Controlled carcinogen.[35]

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. Prusament PC Blend Carbon Fiber Technical Datasheet v2.0 Prusa Polymers · 2023-04 · tds
  3. CarbonX Carbon Fiber ezPC Polycarbonate Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 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. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Spectrum PC CF Carbon Black, 1.75 mm / 250 g 3DJAKE · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. IEMAI CF-PC 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. YXPOLYER PC CF product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Filastruder product catalogue Filastruder · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  15. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  17. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  18. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. FIREWIRE FR-ABS — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  20. CARBONX ezPC+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. Polymaker ABS Pro Technical Data Sheet V1 (2026-05-29) Polymaker · 2026-05 · tds
  23. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V2.0 — PC Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  24. Prusament PC Blend Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  25. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  26. 3DXMAX ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  27. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  28. PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5 served at this URL) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  29. 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
  30. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  31. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  32. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  33. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  34. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  35. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds