3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ASA-CF vs PA6-CF

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

Carbon-fibre ASA (ASA-CF) guideCarbon-fibre PA6 (PA6-CF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ASA-CF comparisonsMore PA6-CF comparisons
ASA-CF vs PA6-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre ASA (ASA-CF)ASACarbon-fibre PA6 (PA6-CF)PA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$36.99/kg median; $25.00–$90.00/kg across 5 dated product listings$62.48/kg median; $39.00–$133.32/kg across 6 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryASA reinforced with chopped carbon fibre — Formfutura's ApolloX CF10 is 10 wt%[1][2][3]PA6 reinforced with chopped carbon fibre — Polymaker's grade is 20 wt%[4][5]
Densityg/cm³1.02 (Bambu Lab), 1.1 (Formfutura ApolloX CF10) and 1.11 (3DXTech), ISO 1183[1][2][3]1.09 (Bambu Lab), 1.17 (Polymaker Fiberon and 3DXTech), ISO 1183[5][4][6]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 37[7][8]1 kg-equivalent spools span 39–133; the middle of the market is about 80[5][8][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]39–133 across brands; IEMAI 3D 39, Bambu Lab 43, YXPOLYER 45, Polymaker Fiberon 80, 3DXTech CarbonX 83, Obsidian 133[5][8][14][12][9][10]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[7][8][12][11]Stocked by most mainstream brands[5][8][12][14][9][10]
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; 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 2 kg spools[8][12][5]
Typical applicationsOutdoor structural parts, drone and antenna mounts where stiffness and UV stability both matter[1][2]Load-bearing brackets, tooling and drone frames that must hold strength above 150 °C[5][4]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C250–280 (Bambu Lab)[1]260–290 (Bambu Lab); 280–300 (Polymaker Fiberon)[5][4]
Bed temperature°C80–100 (Bambu Lab)[1]40–50 (Polymaker Fiberon)[4]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[1][15]Enclosure required (passive) — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber, Polymaker room temperature[5][4]
Recommended chamber temperature°C45–60 (Bambu Lab)[1]45–60 (Bambu Lab); room temperature (Polymaker Fiberon)[5][4]
Part cooling fanFan on (Bambu Lab)[1]Not documented
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet, BuildTak or an adhesion aid such as Magigoo (Polymaker); Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ASA slurry[16][17]Engineering or high-temperature plate with glue (Bambu Lab)[5]
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][18]8 at Bambu Lab's 100 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer; Polymaker rates its grade to 300 mm/s[5][4][18]
Warping tendency1–5Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield; the fibre reduces warping against unfilled ASA[15]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[16]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[5]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[16]Moderate — retraction tuning needed[19]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[15]Expert / industrial hardware only — enclosure, hardened nozzle, an 80 °C dry and a printer that can hold the filament dry throughout[5][4][20]
Extruder requirementNot documented0.6 mm nozzle recommended by Bambu Lab; 0.4 and 0.8 also supported[5]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[15]Hardened steel required — Polymaker measures brass nozzle life at about 9 h on PA6-CF20 and recommends hardened steel or ruby[4]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[15]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite; Polymaker puts brass nozzle life at roughly 9 h[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]Very high — frequent jams without careful setup; the combination of moisture and fibre is the worst case in the dataset[20][4]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[17]Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed[23]
Hotend requirementNo special hotend required[17]Hardened steel or ruby nozzle plus an all-metal hot end rated to 300 °C[4][5]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate — 0.33 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[1]Very high (>2 %) — 2.35 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[5]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.33 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[1]2.35 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[5]
Drying temperature & time80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[1]80 °C for 8–12 h (Bambu Lab); 100 °C for 10 h (Polymaker Fiberon)[5][4]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[20]Popping and cracking during extrusion, then hard-to-diagnose defects[24]
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[20]Polymaker publishes dry and wet printed blocks for PA6-CF20 itself: at 5.30 % moisture tensile falls 109.3 → 54.7 MPa and modulus 8636 → 2508 MPa, while notched Charpy rises 11.0 → 35.6 kJ/m². Fibre reinforcement reduces but does not remove the effect[4][24]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates the styrenics moderate-sensitivity[20]Sealed below 20 % RH with desiccant; often needs to stay in a dryer while printing[20]
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[4][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]102 ± 7 (Bambu Lab) and 109.3 ± 2.4 (Polymaker Fiberon, dry/annealed) printed XY, ISO 527; the Fiberon grade falls to 54.7 ± 1.1 conditioned to 5.30 % moisture; 3DXTech quotes 63 at break[5][4][6]
Young's modulusMPa4200 ± 270 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 5355 and Formfutura 7580[1][2][3]4430 ± 310 (Bambu Lab) and 8636 ± 211 (Polymaker Fiberon, dry/annealed) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberon falls to 2508 ± 83 conditioned; 3DXTech quotes 3800[5][4][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]5.8 ± 1.6 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 3 at break[5][6]
Flexural strengthMPa72 ± 5 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 78[1][2]161.0 ± 3.9 printed XY dry, 64.9 ± 4.9 conditioned, ISO 178 (Polymaker Fiberon); 3DXTech quotes 84[4][6]
Flexural modulusMPa3740 ± 130 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 5210[1][2]7038 ± 205 printed XY dry and 2286 ± 185 conditioned, ISO 178 (Polymaker Fiberon); 3DXTech quotes 3750[4][6]
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]11.0 ± 0.3 printed XY dry and 35.6 ± 1.2 conditioned, ISO 179 notched (Polymaker Fiberon)[4]
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 14.0 ± 2.2 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179), against 41.0 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][26]Charpy unnotched 24.0 ± 1.0 printed XY dry and 73.0 ± 2.0 conditioned, 7.5 ± 2.7 printed Z dry (Polymaker Fiberon); Bambu Lab 40.3 ± 2.5 unnotched, 13.4 ± 1.7 notched[4][5]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa30 ± 4 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); flexural Z falls to 33 against 72 in XY[1]48 ± 6 (Bambu Lab) and 54.0 ± 5.2 (Polymaker Fiberon, dry) printed Z, ISO 527; Fiberon falls to 25.5 ± 1.2 conditioned[5][4]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning[1][2]Moderate[5][4]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documentedRockwell M88 / R117 on extruded PA66-GF30 stock (ASTM D785); no figure is published for a carbon-fibre nylon filament[27]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Good — no creep test found; chopped carbon fibre lifts modulus to 4200 MPa against 2379–2450 for unfilled ASA[1][28]Good. Ensinger rates its PA66-CF30 injection-moulding compound for exceptional performance under both static and dynamic loading with 110 °C continuous service; in a printed part the fibre restrains the matrix, but conditioning to equilibrium moisture still softens it[29][24]
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]Good. Ensinger states its PA66-CF30 compound has improved fatigue strength in tension, flexure and compression against unfilled and glass-filled PA66[29]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[5]
Z strength as % of XY%88 by tensile, 46 by flexural (printed, Bambu Lab)[1]47 (Bambu Lab) to 49 (Polymaker Fiberon), printed[5][4]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C110 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 100 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][26]186 (Bambu Lab) and 215 (Polymaker Fiberon), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[5][4]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C102 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 92 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][26]164 (Bambu Lab) and 173 (Polymaker Fiberon), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[5][4]
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented68 (Bambu Lab) to 74.2 (Polymaker Fiberon), DSC; 3DXTech quotes 70[5][4][6]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documented223 melting (Bambu Lab, DSC); Vicat 212 (ISO 306)[5]
Continuous service temperature°C93 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament ASA[30]Bounded by heat deflection of 164–173 °C at 1.8 MPa; no loaded-bar service figure is published[5][4]
Annealing responseNot documented100 °C for 16 h (Polymaker Fiberon)[4]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·KNot documented94 in the XY direction and 180 in Z, measured on XY-built specimens (79 and 148 on XZ/ZX-built specimens), room temperature to 60 °C, ASTM E831. From Stratasys FDM Nylon-CF10, a blended-nylon matrix with 10 wt% carbon fibre — the closest published printed CTE for a carbon-fibre nylon[31]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[26]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[4]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Excellent — designed for permanent outdoor use; the acrylate rubber phase is unchanged by the fibre[32][16]Months outdoors before embrittlement — unstabilised polyamide yellows and chalks under UV[19]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[28]Withstands oils, fuels and alkalis[19]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedAbsorbs water, properties shift[24]
Food contactNot food safe[16]Not food-contact certified[19]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[16]Not biodegradable[19]
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[16]Fibre-filled polyamide is not accepted in household plastic collection[19]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — not static-dissipative (3DXTech, ASTM D257)[2]Surface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — not static-dissipative (3DXTech, ASTM D257)[6]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[33][15]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[33]
VOC emission rateµg/minNot documentedUp to 180 caprolactam, the dominant VOC from nylon and the largest single-VOC rate in the study[33]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/minNot documented≈2 × 10⁸ median for nylon — low for particles despite the highest VOC mass measured[33]
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[15][33]Caprolactam, at up to 180 µg/min from nylon filament[33]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration[33][15]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[33]
Dust & fibre handling hazardCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[2]Fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[4]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[16]Sands to a matte finish; the fibre makes it cut more cleanly than unfilled nylon[23]
Painting & finishingPaints readily; ASA holds colour outdoors so many parts are left unpainted[16]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingSolvent-welds with acetone[28]Cyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds polyamide[23]
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone vapour smoothing works[28]No practical vapour smoothing[23]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a Support for ABS that also serves ASA[15]PolyDissolve S1 (Polymaker Fiberon)[4]
Dimensional accuracy & detailMatte fibre-filled finish hides layer lines[1]Conditioned parts grow; Polymaker declines to publish a standard dimensional allowance because it depends on geometry and infill[24]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves the resin and leaves the fibre; MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and chlorinated solvents attack the styrenic backbone.[34][28]Formic acid, phenol, m-cresol and hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve the matrix at 23 °C, leaving the fibre; laboratory reagents.[35]
Softened or crazed byLimonene attacks some grades — Prusa reports Prusament ASA Orange flaking apart as layer adhesion fails.[36]Zinc chloride solutions stress-crack the nylon matrix, alcoholic calcium chloride dissolves it, mineral acids attack it.[35]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone vapour reaches only the resin fraction, so the fibre is left standing proud of the smoothed surface.[37][28]None — nylon's only solvents (formic acid, phenol, HFIP) degrade the part, and the fibre blocks surface flow anyway.[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. 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. Fiberon PA6-CF20 Technical Data Sheet V1.1 Polymaker · 2024-12 · tds
  5. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PA6-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  6. CarbonX Carbon Fiber Nylon (Gen3) Technical Data Sheet v3.0 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  7. ASA-CF — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. YXPOLYER PA6 CF-Black 1 kg — product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. IEMAI 3D CF-PA6 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. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  16. ASA — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. ASA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  18. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  19. PA (Nylon) — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 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. Nylon — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Moisture Conditioning — effect on printed nylon properties Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  25. PolyMide CoPA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 (dry and wet status blocks) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  26. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ASA Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  27. TECAMID 66 GF30 black (PA66-GF30) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  28. PolyLite ASA Technical Data Sheet Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  29. TECACOMP PA66 CF30 black — injection-moulding compound Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  30. Prusament ASA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  31. FDM Nylon-CF10 — Material Data Sheet (blended nylon, 10 wt% carbon fibre) Stratasys · 2026-08 · tds
  32. ASA — FDM Material Data Sheet (includes 1000 h QUV exposure results) Stratasys · 2026-08 · tds
  33. 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
  34. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  35. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  36. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  37. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc