3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ASA-CF vs PET-CF

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

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

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ASA-CF comparisonsMore PET-CF comparisons
ASA-CF vs PET-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre ASA (ASA-CF)ASACarbon-fibre PET (PET-CF)PETG
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$36.99/kg median; $25.00–$90.00/kg across 5 dated product listings$39.99/kg median; $26.00–$49.98/kg across 4 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryASA reinforced with chopped carbon fibre — Formfutura's ApolloX CF10 is 10 wt%[1][2][3]Semi-crystalline PET reinforced with carbon fibre — a different polymer from PETG-CF, with the glycol modifier removed so the matrix can crystallise[4][5]
Densityg/cm³1.02 (Bambu Lab), 1.1 (Formfutura ApolloX CF10) and 1.11 (3DXTech), ISO 1183[1][2][3]1.29 (Bambu Lab) and 1.34 (Fiberon PET-CF17), ISO 1183[4][5]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 37[6][7]1 kg spools cluster near 45[4][7]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg25–90 across brands; IEMAI 25, Ambrosia 33, Bambu Lab 37, Polymaker Fiberon 40, 3DXTech 90[8][6][7][9][10]26–50 across brands; ELEGOO 26 in a 5 kg pack, Bambu Lab 45, Fiberon 50[11][4][7]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[6][7][9][8]Available from several mainstream brands[4][7][11]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75 and 1 kg spools[7][9][6]1.75 mm; 0.5 and 1 kg spools[7][4]
Typical applicationsOutdoor structural parts, drone and antenna mounts where stiffness and UV stability both matter[1][2]Load-bearing parts that must survive above PETG's 70 °C ceiling without moving to PA or PC[4][5]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C250–280 (Bambu Lab)[1]260–290 (Bambu Lab)[4]
Bed temperature°C80–100 (Bambu Lab)[1]80–100 (Bambu Lab)[4]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[1][12]Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[4]
Recommended chamber temperature°C45–60 (Bambu Lab)[1]45–60 (Bambu Lab)[4]
Part cooling fanFan on (Bambu Lab)[1]0–60 % (Bambu Lab)[4]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet, BuildTak or an adhesion aid such as Magigoo (Polymaker); Simplify3D also lists Kapton tape and ASA slurry[13][14]Textured PEI, satin or powder-coated sheets; on smooth PEI a glue stick acts as a release agent[15][16]
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][17]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[4][17]
Warping tendency1–5Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield; the fibre reduces warping against unfilled ASA[12]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[13]Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive — the problem is releasing the part, not sticking it[15][16]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[13]Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker names stringing as PETG's common quirk[16]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[12]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[4]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[12]Hardened steel required[4]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[12]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[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[18][19]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[14]Slightly sensitive[20]
Hotend requirementNo special hotend required[14]No special hot-end required[20]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate — 0.33 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[1]Moderate — 0.37 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.53 % equilibrium (Fiberon)[4][5]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.33 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)[4][5]
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[4][5]
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 strengthNo dry-versus-conditioned figures are published; Polymaker groups the styrenics as moderate-sensitivity and absorbed water 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[4]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates the styrenics moderate-sensitivity[21]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker groups PETG with the highly hygroscopic materials[21][16]
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[4][5]
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]65.9 (Fiberon) to 74 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 527[4][5]
Young's modulusMPa4200 ± 270 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 5355 and Formfutura 7580[1][2][3]4730 ± 260 (Bambu Lab) and 5481 ± 224 (Fiberon) printed XY, ISO 527[4][5]
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]2.4 ± 0.5 printed XY, ISO 527 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[5]
Flexural strengthMPa72 ± 5 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 78[1][2]109.3 ± 2.0 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[5]
Flexural modulusMPa3740 ± 130 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 5210[1][2]4744 ± 136 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[5]
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][22]5.1 ± 0.2 printed XY, ISO 179 notched (Fiberon PET-CF17); unnotched 25.1 ± 2.8[5]
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 14.0 ± 2.2 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179), against 41.0 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][22]Not documented
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa30 ± 4 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); flexural Z falls to 33 against 72 in XY[1]27.9 (Fiberon) and 35 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) printed Z, ISO 527[4][5]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning[1][2]Very brittle — elongation at break 2.4 % in XY and 0.8 % in Z[5]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Good — no creep test found; chopped carbon fibre lifts modulus to 4200 MPa against 2379–2450 for unfilled ASA[1][23]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[5][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][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[5]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[4]
Z strength as % of XY%88 by tensile, 46 by flexural (printed, Bambu Lab)[1]42 (Fiberon) to 47 (Bambu Lab), printed[4][5]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C110 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 100 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][22]147.5 (Fiberon) and 205 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[4][5]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C102 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Bambu Lab) against 92 for unfilled Bambu Lab ASA[1][22]105 (Fiberon) and 182 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[4][5]
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented75 (Bambu Lab) and 79.3 (Fiberon), DSC[4][5]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documented241.3 (Fiberon) and 250 (Bambu Lab) melting, DSC; Vicat 226–238[4][5]
Continuous service temperature°C93 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament ASA[24]Not documented
Annealing responseNot documentedThe PET matrix crystallises on annealing, which is what separates this grade from PETG-CF[5][4]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[22]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for standard grades[25]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Excellent — designed for permanent outdoor use; the acrylate rubber phase is unchanged by the fibre[26][13]Not documented
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[23]Withstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure[16]
Food contactNot food safe[13]Not certified for food contact as filament[16]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[13]Not biodegradable[16]
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[13]Not accepted in household plastic collection[16]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — not static-dissipative (3DXTech, ASTM D257)[2]Surface resistivity above 10¹² ohm — insulating (Fiberon PET-CF17, ANSI/ESD S11.11)[5]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[27][12]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[27]
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[12][27]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration[27][12]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[27][4]
Dust & fibre handling hazardCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[2]Carbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[5]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[13]Sands poorly — the material is tough and gums rather than powders[20]
Painting & finishingPaints readily; ASA holds colour outdoors so many parts are left unpainted[13]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingSolvent-welds with acetone[23]Cyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds PETG cleanly[20]
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone vapour smoothing works[23]No practical vapour smoothing[20]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a Support for ABS that also serves ASA[12]Prints its own supports; Polymaker rates PolyDissolve S1 for PETG[20]
Dimensional accuracy & detailMatte fibre-filled finish hides layer lines[1]Bambu Lab markets it on low warping and shrinkage relative to other high-temperature composites[4]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves the resin and leaves the fibre; MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and chlorinated solvents attack the styrenic backbone.[28][23]None common; fluorinated solvents such as hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve linear polyester at 23 °C. Laboratory only.[29][28]
Softened or crazed byLimonene attacks some grades — Prusa reports Prusament ASA Orange flaking apart as layer adhesion fails.[30]Ensinger rates polyester not resistant to chloroform or dichloromethane and only conditionally resistant to acetone and MEK.[28]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone vapour reaches only the resin fraction, so the fibre is left standing proud of the smoothed surface.[31][23]Dichloromethane attacks polyester and can be brushed on, but the carbon fibre blocks any useful surface flow.[28][31]

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. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PET-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  5. Fiberon PET-CF17 Technical Data Sheet V1.0 Polymaker · 2026-08 · tds
  6. ASA-CF — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Filastruder product catalogue Filastruder · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. IEMAI CF-ASA 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  13. ASA — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  14. ASA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  15. Prusament PETG Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  16. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  18. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  19. Carbon Fiber Filled — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  20. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  21. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ASA Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  23. PolyLite ASA Technical Data Sheet Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  24. Prusament ASA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  25. Prusament PETG V0 Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  26. ASA — FDM Material Data Sheet (includes 1000 h QUV exposure results) Stratasys · 2026-08 · tds
  27. 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
  28. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  29. Resistance of Ultramid, Ultraform and Ultradur to chemicals (TI-KTU/AS-28 e) BASF · 2000-10 · tds
  30. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  31. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc