3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ABS-FR vs PET-CF

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

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

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ABS-FR comparisonsMore PET-CF comparisons
ABS-FR vs PET-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyFlame-retardant ABS (FR-ABS)ABSCarbon-fibre PET (PET-CF)PETG
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$52.00/kg median; $44.99–$120.00/kg across 5 dated product listings$39.99/kg median; $26.00–$49.98/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]Semi-crystalline PET reinforced with carbon fibre — a different polymer from PETG-CF, with the glycol modifier removed so the matrix can crystallise[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.18 (ISO 1183) — above unfilled ABS at 1.05 because of the retardant loading[1][4]1.29 (Bambu Lab) and 1.34 (Fiberon PET-CF17), 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 spools cluster near 45[2][9]
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]26–50 across brands; ELEGOO 26 in a 5 kg pack, Bambu Lab 45, Fiberon 50[10][2][9]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[5]Available from several mainstream brands[2][9][10]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g spools[5]1.75 mm; 0.5 and 1 kg spools[9][2]
Typical applicationsElectrical enclosures and transport interiors that must meet a flammability rating[1]Load-bearing parts that must survive above PETG's 70 °C ceiling without moving to PA or PC[2][3]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented260–290 (Bambu Lab)[2]
Bed temperature°CNot documented80–100 (Bambu Lab)[2]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[11]Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[2]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented45–60 (Bambu Lab)[2]
Part cooling fanNot documented0–60 % (Bambu Lab)[2]
Bed surface & adhesion aidClean the plate and apply glue; Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ABS slurry[11][12]Textured PEI, satin or powder-coated sheets; on smooth PEI a glue stick acts as a release agent[13][14]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented8 at Bambu Lab's 100 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer — half the speed it allows for PETG-CF[2][15]
Warping tendency1–5High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts[11]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[11]Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive — the problem is releasing the part, not sticking it[13][14]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[16]Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker names stringing as PETG's common quirk[14]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[11]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[2]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[11]Hardened steel required[2]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[1]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[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[17]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa lists higher risk of nozzle clogging for carbon-filled composites[18]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[12]Slightly sensitive[19]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[12]No special hot-end required[19]
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][17]Moderate — 0.37 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.53 % equilibrium (Fiberon)[2][3]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented0.37 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.53 equilibrium (Fiberon PET-CF17)[2][3]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented80 °C for 8–12 h (Bambu Lab) — the longest and hottest dry in the polyester family; Fiberon specifies 100 °C for 10 h[2][3]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[21]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[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[21]Bambu Lab publishes its whole mechanical table under the heading "Mechanical Properties (Dry state)" — the quoted figures apply only to dried filament[2]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates ABS moderate-sensitivity[21]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker groups PETG with the highly hygroscopic materials[21][14]
Hydrolysis at melt temperatureNot documentedThe 80–100 °C dry both suppliers mandate is far above the 55–65 °C used for PETG, consistent with a melt-hydrolysis risk in the semi-crystalline PET matrix; neither publishes a molecular-weight loss figure[2][3]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa45 at break (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]65.9 (Fiberon) to 74 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 527[2][3]
Young's modulusMPa1990 (printed XY, ISO 527)[1]4730 ± 260 (Bambu Lab) and 5481 ± 224 (Fiberon) printed XY, ISO 527[2][3]
Elongation at break%4 at break (printed XY, ISO 527) — well below the 10 % of unfilled 3DXTech ABS[1][22]2.4 ± 0.5 printed XY, ISO 527 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[3]
Flexural strengthMPa80 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]109.3 ± 2.0 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[3]
Flexural modulusMPa2250 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]4744 ± 136 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[3]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented5.1 ± 0.2 printed XY, ISO 179 notched (Fiberon PET-CF17); unnotched 25.1 ± 2.8[3]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented27.9 (Fiberon) and 35 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) printed Z, ISO 527[2][3]
Brittleness1–5Moderate — elongation at break falls to 4 % from 10 % for the unfilled grade[1][22]Very brittle — elongation at break 2.4 % in XY and 0.8 % in Z[3]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Moderate — no creep test found; Tg of 105 °C keeps room-temperature service far below softening[1][22]Good — no creep test found; annealed PET-CF holds a 105 °C HDT at 1.8 MPa and a 4730–5481 MPa modulus against 1500–2311 for PETG[3][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][22]Below average — no S-N curve; elongation at break is 2.4 % in XY and 0.8 % in Z, against 5.2–9.3 % for unfilled PETG[3]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[2]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented42 (Fiberon) to 47 (Bambu Lab), printed[2][3]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented147.5 (Fiberon) and 205 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[2][3]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented105 (Fiberon) and 182 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[2][3]
Glass transition (Tg)°C105 (DSC)[1]75 (Bambu Lab) and 79.3 (Fiberon), DSC[2][3]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documented241.3 (Fiberon) and 250 (Bambu Lab) melting, DSC; Vicat 226–238[2][3]
Annealing responseNot documentedThe PET matrix crystallises on annealing, which is what separates this grade from PETG-CF[3][2]
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 standard grades[23]
Environment & Chemical
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[24]Withstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure[14]
Food contactNot food safe — Polymaker cites potential chemical leaching[16]Not certified for food contact as filament[14]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[16]Not biodegradable[14]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[16]Not accepted in household plastic collection[14]
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedSurface resistivity above 10¹² ohm — insulating (Fiberon PET-CF17, ANSI/ESD S11.11)[3]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[25][11]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[25]
VOC emission rateµg/min12–113 styrene, the dominant VOC from every ABS and HIPS combination tested[25]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[25]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[25][11]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration — an enclosure alone cut measured UFP by only about 35 %[25][11]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[25][2]
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[16]Sands poorly — the material is tough and gums rather than powders[19]
Painting & finishingPaints readily after light abrasion[16]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds PETG cleanly[19]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNot documentedNo practical vapour smoothing[19]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a dedicated Support for ABS[26][11]Prints its own supports; Polymaker rates PolyDissolve S1 for PETG[19]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedBambu Lab markets it on low warping and shrinkage relative to other high-temperature composites[2]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves it — the basis of ABS slurry; so do MEK, THF, ethyl acetate, chloroform, dichloromethane and toluene.[27][24]None common; fluorinated solvents such as hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve linear polyester at 23 °C. Laboratory only.[28][27]
Softened or crazed byPetrol and perchloroethylene soften it and benzene attacks it; d-limonene disrupts layer adhesion in some ABS and ASA grades.[27][29]Ensinger rates polyester not resistant to chloroform or dichloromethane and only conditionally resistant to acetone and MEK.[27]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone: about 20 min of vapour at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid. Prusa measured layer adhesion more than doubled.[30]Dichloromethane attacks polyester and can be brushed on, but the carbon fibre blocks any useful surface flow.[27][30]

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. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PET-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Fiberon PET-CF17 Technical Data Sheet V1.0 Polymaker · 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. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  12. ABS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  13. Prusament PETG Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  14. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  15. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  16. ABS — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. FIREWIRE FR-ABS — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  18. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  19. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Polymaker ABS Pro Technical Data Sheet V1 (2026-05-29) Polymaker · 2026-05 · tds
  21. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  22. 3DXMAX ABS Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  23. Prusament PETG V0 Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  24. PolyLite ABS Technical Data Sheet (V5.5 served at this URL) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  25. 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
  26. HIPS — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  27. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  28. Resistance of Ultramid, Ultraform and Ultradur to chemicals (TI-KTU/AS-28 e) BASF · 2000-10 · tds
  29. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  30. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc