3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ASA Aero vs PET-CF

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

Foaming ASA (ASA Aero) guideCarbon-fibre PET (PET-CF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ASA Aero comparisonsMore PET-CF comparisons
ASA Aero vs PET-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyFoaming ASA (ASA Aero)ASACarbon-fibre PET (PET-CF)PETG
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$49.99/kg median; $49.99–$49.99/kg across 1 dated product listings$39.99/kg median; $26.00–$49.98/kg across 4 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryASA with a heat-activated blowing agent that expands at the nozzle[1][2]Semi-crystalline PET reinforced with carbon fibre — a different polymer from PETG-CF, with the glycol modifier removed so the matrix can crystallise[3][4]
Densityg/cm³0.99 filament (Bambu Lab, ISO 1183); Formfutura's grade reaches 0.33 g/cm³ fully expanded[1][2]1.29 (Bambu Lab) and 1.34 (Fiberon PET-CF17), ISO 1183[3][4]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 50[5]1 kg spools cluster near 45[3][6]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg50 at Bambu Lab's 1 kg listing[5]26–50 across brands; ELEGOO 26 in a 5 kg pack, Bambu Lab 45, Fiberon 50[7][3][6]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[5][2]Available from several mainstream brands[3][6][7]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 1 kg spools[5]1.75 mm; 0.5 and 1 kg spools[6][3]
Typical applicationsDrone airframes, RC parts and floating or outdoor applications where mass matters and UV exposure rules out LW-PLA[2]Load-bearing parts that must survive above PETG's 70 °C ceiling without moving to PA or PC[3][4]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C240–280 (Bambu Lab); 220–285 (Formfutura), with foaming activating near 230 °C and peaking between 270 and 285 °C[1][2]260–290 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Bed temperature°C80–90 (Bambu Lab); 50–90 (Formfutura)[1][2]80–100 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[1][8]Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[3]
Recommended chamber temperature°C45–60 (Bambu Lab)[1]45–60 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Part cooling fan0–80 % (Bambu Lab); 0–50 % (Formfutura)[1][2]0–60 % (Bambu Lab)[3]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet, BuildTak or an adhesion aid such as Magigoo (Polymaker); Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ASA slurry[9][10]Textured PEI, satin or powder-coated sheets; on smooth PEI a glue stick acts as a release agent[11][12]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s12 at Bambu Lab's 150 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[1][13]8 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[3][13]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[9]Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive — the problem is releasing the part, not sticking it[11][12]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[9]Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker names stringing as PETG's common quirk[12]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; flow has to be cut to match the expansion and the density follows nozzle temperature[2][1]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[3]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[8]Hardened steel required[3]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[8]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[3]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Not documentedModerate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa lists higher risk of nozzle clogging for carbon-filled composites[14]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[10]Slightly sensitive[15]
Hotend requirementNo special hotend required[10]No special hot-end required[15]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5High — 0.80 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH, nearly double unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][16]Moderate — 0.37 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.53 % equilibrium (Fiberon)[3][4]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.80 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[1]0.37 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.53 equilibrium (Fiberon PET-CF17)[3][4]
Drying temperature & time80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[1]80 °C for 8–12 h (Bambu Lab) — the longest and hottest dry in the polyester family; Fiberon specifies 100 °C for 10 h[3][4]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[17]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[17]
Effect of moisture on strengthNo dry-versus-conditioned figures are published; Polymaker groups the styrenics as moderate-sensitivity and absorbed water shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[17]Bambu Lab publishes its whole mechanical table under the heading "Mechanical Properties (Dry state)" — the quoted figures apply only to dried filament[3]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates the styrenics moderate-sensitivity[17]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker groups PETG with the highly hygroscopic materials[17][12]
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[3][4]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa32 ± 4 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab)[1]65.9 (Fiberon) to 74 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 527[3][4]
Young's modulusMPa2010 ± 260 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab)[1]4730 ± 260 (Bambu Lab) and 5481 ± 224 (Fiberon) printed XY, ISO 527[3][4]
Elongation at break%5.1 ± 1.6 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab)[1]2.4 ± 0.5 printed XY, ISO 527 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[4]
Flexural strengthMPa58 ± 6 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab)[1]109.3 ± 2.0 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[4]
Flexural modulusMPa1510 ± 120 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab)[1]4744 ± 136 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[4]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²8.2 ± 1.6 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Bambu Lab)[1]5.1 ± 0.2 printed XY, ISO 179 notched (Fiberon PET-CF17); unnotched 25.1 ± 2.8[4]
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 32.0 ± 2.5 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179)[1]Not documented
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa21 ± 4 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); flexural Z falls to 24 against 58 in XY[1]27.9 (Fiberon) and 35 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) printed Z, ISO 527[3][4]
Brittleness1–5Moderate[1]Very brittle — elongation at break 2.4 % in XY and 0.8 % in Z[4]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Below average — no creep test found; the foamed structure drops modulus to 2010 MPa and load is carried by a lower solid fraction[1][16]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[4][3]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Moderate — no foamed-grade S-N curve; unfilled printed ASA holds a fatigue limit at 25 % of tensile strength[1][18]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[4]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[3]
Z strength as % of XY%66 by tensile, 41 by flexural (printed, Bambu Lab)[1]42 (Fiberon) to 47 (Bambu Lab), printed[3][4]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C85 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 100 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][16]147.5 (Fiberon) and 205 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[3][4]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C78 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 92 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][16]105 (Fiberon) and 182 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[3][4]
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented75 (Bambu Lab) and 79.3 (Fiberon), DSC[3][4]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documented241.3 (Fiberon) and 250 (Bambu Lab) melting, DSC; Vicat 226–238[3][4]
Continuous service temperature°C93 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament ASA[19]Not documented
Annealing responseNot documentedThe PET matrix crystallises on annealing, which is what separates this grade from PETG-CF[4][3]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[16]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for standard grades[20]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Excellent — designed for permanent outdoor use; Formfutura states the foaming grade retains ApolloX's UV resistance[2][21]Not documented
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[22]Withstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure[12]
Food contactNot food safe[9]Not certified for food contact as filament[12]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[9]Not biodegradable[12]
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[9]Not accepted in household plastic collection[12]
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedSurface resistivity above 10¹² ohm — insulating (Fiberon PET-CF17, ANSI/ESD S11.11)[4]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[23][8]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[23]
Hazardous species emittedStyrene. 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[8][23]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration[23][8]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[23][3]
Dust & fibre handling hazardNot documentedCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[4]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[9]Sands poorly — the material is tough and gums rather than powders[15]
Painting & finishingPaints readily; ASA holds colour outdoors so many parts are left unpainted[9]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingSolvent-welds with acetone[22]Cyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds PETG cleanly[15]
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone vapour smoothing works[22]No practical vapour smoothing[15]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a Support for ABS that also serves ASA[8]Prints its own supports; Polymaker rates PolyDissolve S1 for PETG[15]
Dimensional accuracy & detailMatte, textured surface that hides layer lines; colour lightens as the foaming degree rises, which doubles as a visual density cue[2]Bambu Lab markets it on low warping and shrinkage relative to other high-temperature composites[3]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves it (Polymaker); MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and the chlorinated solvents dissolve the styrenic backbone.[24][22]None common; fluorinated solvents such as hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve linear polyester at 23 °C. Laboratory only.[25][24]
Softened or crazed byLimonene attacks some grades — Prusa reports Prusament ASA Orange flaking apart as layer adhesion fails.[26]Ensinger rates polyester not resistant to chloroform or dichloromethane and only conditionally resistant to acetone and MEK.[24]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone vapour, ~20 min at 80 °C over 5 mm of liquid; the foamed wall absorbs solvent, so cut the exposure well short.[27]Dichloromethane attacks polyester and can be brushed on, but the carbon fibre blocks any useful surface flow.[24][27]

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. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — ASA Aero Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  2. ApolloX Foaming Technical Data Sheet Formfutura · 2025-07 · tds
  3. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PET-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Fiberon PET-CF17 Technical Data Sheet V1.0 Polymaker · 2026-08 · tds
  5. ASA Aero — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  9. ASA — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  10. ASA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  11. Prusament PETG Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  12. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  13. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  14. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  15. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ASA Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  17. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  18. Mechanical, Fatigue, and Thermal Characterization of ASA, Nylon 12, PC and PC-ABS Manufactured by Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) Polymers 18(2):302 · 2026-01 · paper
  19. Prusament ASA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Prusament PETG V0 Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  21. ASA — FDM Material Data Sheet (includes 1000 h QUV exposure results) Stratasys · 2026-08 · tds
  22. PolyLite ASA Technical Data Sheet 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. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  25. Resistance of Ultramid, Ultraform and Ultradur to chemicals (TI-KTU/AS-28 e) BASF · 2000-10 · tds
  26. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  27. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc