3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ASA-CF vs PA12

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

Carbon-fibre ASA (ASA-CF) guidePA12 (Nylon 12) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ASA-CF comparisonsMore PA12 comparisons
ASA-CF vs PA12 — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre ASA (ASA-CF)ASAPA12 (Nylon 12)PA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$36.99/kg median; $25.00–$90.00/kg across 5 dated product listings$64.33/kg median; $36.00–$170.67/kg across 3 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryASA reinforced with chopped carbon fibre — Formfutura's ApolloX CF10 is 10 wt%[1][2][3]Polyamide 12 — the longest-chain common nylon, with the fewest amide groups per unit mass and so the least moisture uptake[4][5]
Densityg/cm³1.02 (Bambu Lab), 1.1 (Formfutura ApolloX CF10) and 1.11 (3DXTech), ISO 1183[1][2][3]1.01 specific gravity (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D792)[6]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 37[7][8]1 kg-equivalent spools span 36–171; the middle of the market is about 64[9][10]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg25–90 across brands; IEMAI 25, Ambrosia 33, Bambu Lab 37, Polymaker Fiberon 40, 3DXTech 90[11][7][8][12][13]36–171 across brands; IEMAI 3D 36, Fiberlogy 64 at 3DJake, 3DXTech AmideX Nylon 12 171[9][12][10]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[7][8][12][11]Available from several mainstream brands[9][12]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75 and 1 kg spools[8][12][7]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g and 1 kg spools[12][9]
Typical applicationsOutdoor structural parts, drone and antenna mounts where stiffness and UV stability both matter[1][2]Dimensionally stable functional parts, ducting and living hinges where PA6 would move too much with humidity[4][14]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C250–280 (Bambu Lab)[1]260–290 (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12)[15]
Bed temperature°C80–100 (Bambu Lab)[1]110 (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12)[15]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[1][16]Enclosure required (passive)[4]
Recommended chamber temperature°C45–60 (Bambu Lab)[1]Not documented
Part cooling fanFan on (Bambu Lab)[1]Part cooling fan not required (Simplify3D)[17]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet, BuildTak or an adhesion aid such as Magigoo (Polymaker); Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ASA slurry[18][19]PEI sheet with a glue stick, or a dedicated adhesive such as Magigoo[17][4]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s20 at Bambu Lab's 250 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[1][20]12 at Extrudr's 150 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[15][20]
Warping tendency1–5Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield; the fibre reduces warping against unfilled ASA[16]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[18]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[17][4]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[18]Moderate — retraction tuning needed[4]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[16]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[4]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[16]Brass fine indefinitely for unfilled grades[4]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[16]Non-abrasive when unfilled[4]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa lists higher risk of nozzle clogging for fibre-filled composites and Simplify3D a higher tendency to clog[21][22]High — jams from moisture, heat creep or particles[14][23]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[19]Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed[17]
Hotend requirementNo special hotend required[19]May require an all-metal hot end (Simplify3D)[17]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate — 0.33 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[1]High (0.8–2 %) — Polymaker's PA12-CF10 reaches 1.5 % equilibrium against 3.33 % for its PA6-GF25, and Polymaker developed the PA12 grade specifically for lower moisture sensitivity[5][14]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.33 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[1]Not documented
Drying temperature & time80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[1]60–80 °C for 8–12 h (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12); 100 °C for 8 h (Polymaker CoPA)[15][24]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[23]Popping and cracking during extrusion, then hard-to-diagnose defects[14]
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[23]Polymaker states its PA12 grade changes little between wet and dry, unlike its PA6-based materials; the CoPA dry-to-wet reference shows what the PA6-type response looks like[14][24]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates the styrenics moderate-sensitivity[23]Sealed below 20 % RH with desiccant[23]
Hydrolysis at melt temperatureNot documentedPolymaker requires a 100 °C dry for 8 h and storage below 20 % RH; no molecular-weight loss figure is published, and the published wet data is conditioning rather than melt hydrolysis[24][25]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa34 ± 3 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 48 at break and Formfutura 79 at 23 °C[1][2][3]49.3 at yield and 33.4 at break printed XZ (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D638)[6]
Young's modulusMPa4200 ± 270 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 5355 and Formfutura 7580[1][2][3]1510 printed XZ and 1250 ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D638)[6]
Elongation at break%9.6 ± 1.4 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 3 at break and Formfutura 1.8[1][2][3]30 at break printed XZ against 6.5 in ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D638)[6]
Flexural strengthMPa72 ± 5 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 78[1][2]Not documented
Flexural modulusMPa3740 ± 130 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 5210[1][2]Not documented
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²6.2 ± 1.4 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Bambu Lab) — a third of unfilled Bambu Lab ASA's 19.6[1][26]11 at +23 °C and 6.0 at -30 °C (Extrudr DuraPro PA12, ISO 179/1eA); unnotched does not break[15]
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 14.0 ± 2.2 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179), against 41.0 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][26]Izod notched 138 J/m printed XZ against 71.0 J/m in ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D256)[6]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa30 ± 4 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); flexural Z falls to 33 against 72 in XY[1]41.8 at yield and 41.2 at break printed ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D638) — higher than the XZ break figure, because XZ specimens draw and neck first[6]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning[1][2]Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[4]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Good — no creep test found; chopped carbon fibre lifts modulus to 4200 MPa against 2379–2450 for unfilled ASA[1][27]Moderate — the long-chain polyamides hold load better than PLA but below PC[4]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Below average — no CF-grade S-N curve; notched Charpy falls to 6.2 kJ/m² against 19.6 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][26]Excellent — living hinges viable. Stratasys sells FDM Nylon 12 specifically for repetitive-flex parts such as snap-fit clips and press-fit inserts on the strength of its fatigue properties[4][6]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Semi-flexible[14]
Z strength as % of XY%88 by tensile, 46 by flexural (printed, Bambu Lab)[1]85 (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ZX against XZ tensile yield, ASTM D638) — one of the least anisotropic unfilled filaments measured[6]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C110 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 100 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][26]94.7 printed XY and 91.9 in XZ/ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D648 at 66 psi)[6]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C102 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 92 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][26]84.3 printed XY and 75.3 in XZ/ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D648 at 264 psi)[6]
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented34.0 (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM D7426 inflection point)[6]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documentedVicat A 142 (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12, ISO 306)[15]
Continuous service temperature°C93 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament ASA[28]Bounded by a Vicat softening point of 142 °C (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12); no loaded-bar service figure is published[15]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·KNot documented84-103 printed (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12, ASTM E831: 84.4 in XY and 85.6 in XZ/ZX over -50 to 10 °C, 89.1 over 10-45 °C, 98.2 over 45-70 °C); Extrudr quotes 100 for DURAPRO PA12 (ISO 11359-2)[15][6]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[26]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for the unfilled grades surveyed[15]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Excellent — designed for permanent outdoor use; the acrylate rubber phase is unchanged by the fibre[29][18]Months outdoors before embrittlement[4]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[27]Withstands oils, fuels and alkalis[4]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedGood — minor absorption; the least moisture-sensitive of the common nylons[14]
Food contactNot food safe[18]Not food-contact certified as filament[4]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[18]Not biodegradable[4]
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[18]Mechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[4]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — not static-dissipative (3DXTech, ASTM D257)[2]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[30][16]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[30]
VOC emission rateµg/minNot documentedUp to 180 caprolactam, the dominant VOC from nylon; total VOC reached nearly 200 µg/min, the highest of the nine filaments tested[30]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/minNot documented≈2 × 10⁸ median — low for ultrafine particles despite the highest VOC mass of any filament tested[30]
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[16][30]Caprolactam, at up to 180 µg/min from nylon filament — the largest single-VOC emission rate measured in the study[30]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration[30][16]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[30]
Dust & fibre handling hazardCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[2]Not documented
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[18]Sands poorly — gums rather than powders[17]
Painting & finishingPaints readily; ASA holds colour outdoors so many parts are left unpainted[18]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingSolvent-welds with acetone[27]Cyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds polyamide[17]
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone vapour smoothing works[27]No practical vapour smoothing[17]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a Support for ABS that also serves ASA[16]Polymaker sells a break-away PolySupport matched to PA12[17]
Dimensional accuracy & detailMatte fibre-filled finish hides layer lines[1]Holds dimensions better than PA6 after conditioning — Polymaker singles its PA12 grade out on exactly this point[14]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves the resin and leaves the fibre; MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and chlorinated solvents attack the styrenic backbone.[31][27]Dissolved at 23 °C by formic acid, phenol, m-cresol, 96 % sulphuric acid or hexafluoroisopropanol — all laboratory reagents.[32][31]
Softened or crazed byLimonene attacks some grades — Prusa reports Prusament ASA Orange flaking apart as layer adhesion fails.[33]Not resistant to 10 % formic acid, phenol, chloroform or dichloromethane (Ensinger); zinc chloride stress-cracks nylon.[31][32]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone vapour reaches only the resin fraction, so the fibre is left standing proud of the smoothed surface.[34][27]None — nylon's only solvents are formic acid, phenol and HFIP, all of which degrade the part they wet.[32]

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-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  2. CarbonX Carbon Fiber ASA Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  3. ApolloX CF10 Technical Data Sheet Formfutura · 2026-08 · tds
  4. PA (Nylon) — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  5. Fiberon PA612-CF15 Technical Data Sheet V1.1 Polymaker · 2024-12 · tds
  6. FDM Nylon 12 — Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2021-09 · tds
  7. ASA-CF — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Nylon PA12 — product listing 3DJake International · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. IEMAI 3D PA12 3D Printing Filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Filastruder product catalogue Filastruder · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. IEMAI CF-ASA 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. Moisture Conditioning — effect on printed nylon properties Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  15. Extrudr Product Catalogue (DURAPRO PA12 data block) Extrudr · 2025-03 · tds
  16. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Nylon — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  18. ASA — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. ASA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  21. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Carbon Fiber Filled — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  23. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  24. PolyMide CoPA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 (dry and wet status blocks) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  25. PolyMide CoPA — Technical Data Sheet page Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · tds
  26. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ASA Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  27. PolyLite ASA Technical Data Sheet Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  28. Prusament ASA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  29. ASA — FDM Material Data Sheet (includes 1000 h QUV exposure results) Stratasys · 2026-08 · tds
  30. 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
  31. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  32. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  33. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  34. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc