3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ASA-GF vs PC-FR

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

Glass-fibre ASA (ASA-GF) guideFlame-retardant PC (PC-FR) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ASA-GF comparisonsMore PC-FR comparisons
ASA-GF vs PC-FR — documented properties and sources
PropertyGlass-fibre ASA (ASA-GF)ASAFlame-retardant PC (PC-FR)PC
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$29.95/kg median; $26.99–$33.99/kg across 3 dated product listings$87.50/kg median; $54.99–$224.00/kg across 4 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryASA reinforced with chopped glass fibre — 10 wt% (Spectrum ASA-X GF10), 15 wt% (ZYLtech ASA-GF)[1][2]Flame-retardant polycarbonate. Polymaker builds its grade on Covestro's Makrolon family and rates it UL 94 V-0[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.07 (ZYLtech) and 1.11 (Spectrum), ISO 1183[1][2]1.18 (Bambu Lab) and 1.2 (Polymaker), ISO 1183[4][3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 28[5][6]1 kg-equivalent spools span 55–224; the two mainstream 1 kg grades are 55 and the industrial grades 120–224[4][7]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg27–34 across brands; Ambrosia 27, ZYLtech 30, Siraya Tech 34[5][6][8]55–224 across brands; Bambu Lab and Polymaker 55, 3DXTech FR PC/ABS 120, 3DXLABS FR-PC 224[4][7][9]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[5][1][2]Available from several mainstream brands[4][7][9]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 1 kg spools[2][5]1.75 mm; 0.75 and 1 kg spools[7][9][4]
Typical applicationsOutdoor brackets and mounts that need stiffness and dimensional stability under sun and moisture[1][2]Electrical enclosures, transport interiors and battery housings that must meet a flammability rating[3][4]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.01 at 95 % probability and ±0.02 at 100 % (ZYLtech)[2]±0.03 (Bambu Lab PC FR)[4]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C240–270 (Spectrum); 240–280 (ZYLtech)[1][2]260–280 (Bambu Lab); 250–270 (Polymaker)[4][3]
Bed temperature°C80–100 (Spectrum); 90–110 on PEI (ZYLtech)[1][2]90–110 (Bambu Lab); 90–105 (Polymaker)[4][3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[10]Enclosure required (passive) — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber, Polymaker 70–100 °C[4][3]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented45–60 (Bambu Lab); 70–100 (Polymaker)[4][3]
Part cooling fan0–20 % (Spectrum)[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[11][12]Smooth or textured PEI plate (Bambu Lab)[4]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s2.4–5.6 at Spectrum's 30–70 mm/s on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer; ZYLtech allows up to 200 mm/s[1][2][13]24 at Bambu Lab's 300 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[4][13]
Warping tendency1–5Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield[10]Severe — heated chamber needed[3][10]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[11]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[14][15]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[11]Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker flags stringing as a common PC problem[15]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; ZYLtech requires a hardened nozzle of 0.6 mm or larger[2][1]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[4][10]
Extruder requirementZYLtech specifies a hardened nozzle 0.6 mm or larger; Spectrum bases its settings on a 0.5 mm nozzle[2][1]Not documented
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required — Spectrum recommends ruby or hardened, ZYLtech requires hardened[1][2]Brass fine indefinitely[10]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard GF composite[1][2]Non-abrasive[3]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa lists higher risk of nozzle clogging for glass-filled composites[16]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns but a 6 h pre-dry at 80 °C[17]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[12]Slightly sensitive[14]
Hotend requirementNo special hotend required[12]All-metal hot end required (Simplify3D)[14]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate — the ASA matrix takes up 0.40–0.45 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH; no glass-filled grade publishes its own figure[18][19][20]Low (0.1–0.3 %) — 0.12 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab), half that of unfilled Bambu Lab PC[4][21]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented0.12 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[4]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented75 °C for 6 h (Polymaker)[3]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[22]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[22]
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[22]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published. Polymaker calls PC highly hygroscopic and requires a 70–80 °C dry for 6–8 h; run wet, the loss shows as surface defects and poor layer adhesion[15][22]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates the styrenics moderate-sensitivity[22]Airtight containers with desiccant to prevent reabsorption[15]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa33–36 at break, ISO 527 (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated); Spectrum quotes 55 at break on injection-moulded specimens[2][1]60 ± 4 (Bambu Lab) and 67 ± 4.5 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527[4][3]
Young's modulusMPa2540–2890 (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated) and 2550 (Spectrum, injection-moulded), ISO 527[2][1]1670 ± 40 (Bambu Lab) and 2634 ± 182 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527[4][3]
Elongation at break%3.4 at break (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated); Spectrum quotes 2.80 at yield on injection-moulded specimens[2][1]2.4 ± 0.3 (Bambu Lab) and 3.49 ± 0.7 (Polymaker) at break, printed XY, ISO 527 — the retardant roughly halves unfilled PC's elongation[4][3][23]
Flexural strengthMPaNot documented96.6 ± 1.3 printed XY, ISO 178 (Polymaker)[3]
Flexural modulusMPa2130–2480 flexural modulus, ISO 178 (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated)[2]2518 ± 53 printed XY, ISO 178 (Polymaker)[3]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²8.3 notched Charpy at 23 °C on injection-moulded specimens (Spectrum, ISO 179-1eA); ZYLtech publishes notched Izod 6.9 by ISO 180 instead[1][2]11.7 ± 1.6 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Polymaker)[3]
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 25 kJ/m² at 23 °C on injection-moulded specimens (Spectrum, ISO 179-1eU); ZYLtech notched Izod 6.9 kJ/m² (ISO 180)[1][2]Notched Charpy 7.5 ± 1.6 kJ/m² at −30 °C printed XY (Polymaker, ISO 179-1/1eA)[3]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented21 ± 3 (Bambu Lab) and 46 ± 4.8 (Polymaker) printed Z, ISO 527[4][3]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation at break 3.4 %[2]Moderate[4][3]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documentedRockwell 70 (118) — the source does not name the scales and Shore D 79 on extruded unfilled PC stock (ASTM D785, D2240); no figure is published for a flame-retardant filament[24]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Good — no creep test found; chopped glass fibre lifts modulus to 2540–2890 against 2379–2450 for unfilled ASA[2][19][18]Good. Moulded unfilled PC sustained 41 MPa tensile creep at room temperature without breaking, but the retardant package drops the glass transition to 115 °C in Polymaker's grade, so the unfilled rating is not carried over in full[25][3]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Below average — no GF-grade S-N curve; elongation at break falls to 3.4 % against 6.7–9.2 % for unfilled ASA[2][19][18]Not documented
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[2]Rigid[3]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented35 (Bambu Lab) to 69 (Polymaker), printed[4][3]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C100 (Spectrum, injection-moulded, ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa)[1]110 (Polymaker) and 113 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[3][4]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C97–99 unannealed (ZYLtech, ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa; specimen type not stated); Spectrum 90 on injection-moulded specimens[2][1]107 (Polymaker) and 108 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[3][4]
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented115 (Polymaker) and 145 (Bambu Lab), DSC[3][4]
Melting point / Vicat°CAmorphous ASA matrix; Vicat 98 (Spectrum, ISO 306). ZYLtech quotes a 210–220 °C melting range by ISO 11357 for its grade[1][2]Amorphous — no melting point; Vicat 114 (Bambu Lab, ISO 306)[4]
Continuous service temperature°C93 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament ASA[26]113 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament PC Blend[27]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·KNot documented68.4 on extruded unfilled PC stock (ASTM D696; source states 3.8e-5 in/in/°F); no figure is published for a flame-retardant grade[24]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[18]UL 94 V-0 (Polymaker PolyMax PC-FR); 3DXTech rates its FR PC/ABS V-0 at 1.5 mm on the base resin[3][28]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Excellent — designed for permanent outdoor use; Spectrum states the parts resist prolonged UV and moisture exposure[1][29]Degrades within weeks outdoors unless stabilised[15]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[19]Withstands oils, solvents and fuels; Polymaker rates it good against weak acids[15]
Food contactNot food safe[11]Bisphenol-A polycarbonate is not offered as food-contact filament[15]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[11]Not biodegradable[15]
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[11]Mechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[15]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[30][10]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[30]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/minNot documented≈4 × 10¹⁰ median — the highest ultrafine-particle rate of the nine filaments in the chamber study, above every ABS 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[10][30]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration[30][10]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[30][10]
Dust & fibre handling hazardGlass fibre is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[1]Not documented
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[11]Sands and machines well; the toughness means it cuts rather than chips[14]
Painting & finishingPaints readily; ASA holds colour outdoors so many parts are left unpainted[11]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingSolvent-welds with acetone[19]Cyanoacrylate; dichloromethane solvent-welds PC but is a laboratory reagent[14]
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone vapour smoothing works[19]No practical vapour smoothing[14]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a Support for ABS that also serves ASA[10]Prints its own supports; 3DXTech sells a dedicated PC break-away support[14]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves the resin and leaves the fibre; MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and chlorinated solvents attack the styrenic backbone.[31][19]Dichloromethane, chloroform, DMF and dioxane dissolve it outright (Covestro, 6 days at 23 °C). Laboratory reagents.[32]
Softened or crazed byLimonene attacks some grades — Prusa reports Prusament ASA Orange flaking apart as layer adhesion fails.[33]Methanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell it.[32]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone vapour reaches only the resin fraction, so the fibre is left standing proud of the smoothed surface.[34][19]Dichloromethane cement welds PC — 16.5 MPa lap shear at one week (IPS Weld-On 3). A controlled carcinogen.[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. Spectrum ASA-X GF10 Technical Data Sheet (mechanical and thermal data marked injection-moulded) Spectrum Filaments · 2026-08 · tds
  2. ZYLtech ASA-GF Filament Technical Data Sheet v1 ZYLtech · 2026-08 · tds
  3. PolyMax PC-FR Technical Data Sheet V5.5 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  4. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — PC FR Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  5. Filastruder product catalogue Filastruder · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. ZYLtech ASA-GF Glass Fiber filament — product page ZYLtech · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ASA-GF Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  11. ASA — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  12. ASA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  13. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  14. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  15. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  17. 3DXTech Firewire FR-PC/ABS product page 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ASA Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  19. PolyLite ASA Technical Data Sheet Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  20. Prusament ASA Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2024-05 · tds
  21. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V2.0 — PC Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  22. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  23. PolyLite PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  24. TECANAT natural (PC) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  25. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  26. Prusament ASA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  27. Prusament PC Blend Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  28. Firewire Flame Retardant PC/ABS Technical Data Sheet Rev 3.0 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  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. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  33. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  34. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  35. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds