3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

ASA-GF vs TPU-CF

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

Glass-fibre ASA (ASA-GF) guideCarbon-fibre TPU guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore ASA-GF comparisonsMore TPU-CF comparisons
ASA-GF vs TPU-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyGlass-fibre ASA (ASA-GF)ASACarbon-fibre TPUFLEX
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$29.95/kg median; $26.99–$33.99/kg across 3 dated product listings$107.05/kg median; $107.05–$107.05/kg across 1 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]Carbon-fibre reinforced thermoplastic polyurethane at the hard end of the range[3]
Densityg/cm³1.07 (ZYLtech) and 1.11 (Spectrum), ISO 1183[1][2]1.22 (Extrudr FLEX HARD CF, ISO 2781)[3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 28[4][5]107 for the only retail listing found (Extrudr 0.5 kg coil, incl. VAT)[6]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg27–34 across brands; Ambrosia 27, ZYLtech 30, Siraya Tech 34[4][5][7]One listing only: EUR 49.56 incl. VAT per 0.5 kg coil, direct from Extrudr; no reseller or second brand found[6]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[4][1][2]Niche, a handful of specialist brands — Extrudr's FLEX HARD CF is the only carbon-filled flexible with a published datasheet found here[3]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 1 kg spools[2][4]1.75 mm; 0.5 and 2 kg coils[6]
Typical applicationsOutdoor brackets and mounts that need stiffness and dimensional stability under sun and moisture[1][2]Stiffened flexible parts — damping mounts and semi-rigid brackets[3]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.01 at 95 % probability and ±0.02 at 100 % (ZYLtech)[2]Not documented
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C240–270 (Spectrum); 240–280 (ZYLtech)[1][2]230–260 (Extrudr FLEX HARD CF)[3]
Bed temperature°C80–100 (Spectrum); 90–110 on PEI (ZYLtech)[1][2]50–90 (Extrudr FLEX HARD CF)[3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended[8]Open frame is fine[3]
Part cooling fan0–20 % (Spectrum)[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[9][10]PEI sheet or painter's tape; Polymaker warns TPU can over-stick and advises a glue stick as a release agent[11][12]
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]1.6–8 at the 20–100 mm/s Extrudr specifies on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[3]
Warping tendency1–5Moderate — needs adhesion aid or draught shield[8]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[9]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[9]Not documented
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; hardened nozzle needed[3]
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]Hardened steel required — Extrudr marks FLEX HARD CF as needing a hardened nozzle where its unfilled FLEX grades do not[3]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard GF composite[1][2]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[3]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa lists higher risk of nozzle clogging for glass-filled composites[14]High — jams from moisture, heat creep or particles; a flexible base plus chopped carbon fibre, which Prusa lists as a higher nozzle-clogging risk, and Extrudr requires a hardened nozzle[14][3][11]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[10]Not documented
Hotend requirementNo special hotend required[10]No special hot-end required, but a direct-drive extruder is (Simplify3D)[11]
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[15][16][17]Moderate[18]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented60 °C for 6 h (Extrudr FLEX HARD CF)[3]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[18]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[18]
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[18]Polymaker groups TPU with the highly hygroscopic materials; no dry-versus-conditioned figures are published[18]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker rates the styrenics moderate-sensitivity[18]Sealed with desiccant; often kept in a dryer during the print[18]
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]Not documented
Young's modulusMPa2540–2890 (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated) and 2550 (Spectrum, injection-moulded), ISO 527[2][1]35 (Extrudr FLEX HARD CF, ISO 527-2/5A/500)[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]380 ultimate elongation (Extrudr FLEX HARD CF, ISO 527-2/5A/500), against 490 for the unfilled FLEX HARD[3]
Flexural modulusMPa2130–2480 flexural modulus, ISO 178 (ZYLtech; specimen type not stated)[2]Not documented
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]Not documented
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]Not documented
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation at break 3.4 %[2]Very ductile — bends far before failing[3]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documented70 Shore D (Extrudr FLEX HARD CF, ISO 868), against 58 Shore D for the unfilled FLEX HARD[3]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Good — no creep test found; chopped glass fibre lifts modulus to 2540–2890 against 2379–2450 for unfilled ASA[2][16][15]Below average — no CF-grade creep test; the grade is 70 Shore D where a 95A TPU bar crept from 74.5 to 82.7 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[3][19]
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][16][15]Good — 380 % ultimate elongation and a damping application set (Extrudr cites longboard wheels), below the unfilled grades[3]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[2]Semi-flexible[3]
Wear resistance & frictionNot documentedAbrasion 26 mm³ (Extrudr FLEX HARD CF, ISO 4649-A) — the same as the unfilled FLEX HARD[3]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C100 (Spectrum, injection-moulded, ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa)[1]Not documented
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]Not documented
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented-24 (Extrudr FLEX HARD CF)[3]
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]Vicat A 140 (Extrudr FLEX HARD CF, ISO 306)[3]
Continuous service temperature°C93 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament ASA[20]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[15]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Excellent — designed for permanent outdoor use; Spectrum states the parts resist prolonged UV and moisture exposure[1][21]Good — years with some colour shift; Polymaker lists UV exposure among the conditions TPU withstands[12]
Chemical resistanceGood against weak acids, weak alkalis, oils and grease; dissolved by acetone[16]Withstands industrial solvents and UV exposure (Polymaker)[12]
Food contactNot food safe[9]Not food safe without specific certification (Polymaker)[12]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[9]Not biodegradable[12]
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[9]Not accepted in household plastic collection[12]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5High — hazardous VOC such as styrene; enclosure and filtration needed[22][8]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; TPU was not among the nine filaments in the chamber study[22]
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][22]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Enclosure with carbon and HEPA filtration[22][8]Open a window / occasional ventilation[22]
Dust & fibre handling hazardGlass fibre is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[1]Carbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[3]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands well and takes filler before painting[9]Difficult to sand or smooth; Polymaker limits post-processing to trimming or tumbling[12]
Painting & finishingPaints readily; ASA holds colour outdoors so many parts are left unpainted[9]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingSolvent-welds with acetone[16]Cyanoacrylate bonds TPU; no common solvent welds it[12]
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone vapour smoothing works[16]No practical vapour smoothing[12]
Support material pairingHIPS breaks away or dissolves in d-limonene; Bambu Lab sells a Support for ABS that also serves ASA[8]Polymaker warns TPU supports are often very difficult to remove[12]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedTear strength 165 kN/m (Extrudr FLEX HARD CF, ISO 34-1B)[3]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inAcetone dissolves the resin and leaves the fibre; MEK, THF, ethyl acetate and chlorinated solvents attack the styrenic backbone.[23][16]DMF, DMSO, NMP and THF dissolve the TPU matrix and leave the fibre; ketones are partial solvents. Laboratory reagents.[24]
Softened or crazed byLimonene attacks some grades — Prusa reports Prusament ASA Orange flaking apart as layer adhesion fails.[25]Toluene and benzene swell it up to +50 % by weight at 23 °C; esters swell it severely; ethanol and IPA soften it.[24]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone vapour reaches only the resin fraction, so the fibre is left standing proud of the smoothed surface.[26][16]None practical — the true solvents (DMF, THF, NMP) are laboratory reagents and leave the joint swollen and weak.[24]

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. Extrudr Product Catalogue (DURAPRO PA12 data block) Extrudr · 2025-03 · tds
  4. Filastruder product catalogue Filastruder · 2026-08 · vendor
  5. ZYLtech ASA-GF Glass Fiber filament — product page ZYLtech · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. Extrudr TPU FLEX Hard CF — product page (1.75 mm, 0.5 and 2 kg coils, price) Extrudr (FD3D GmbH) · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. Siraya Tech Fibreheart ASA-GF Filament product page Siraya Tech · 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. Flexible (TPE/TPU) — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  12. TPU — 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. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — ASA Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  16. PolyLite ASA Technical Data Sheet Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  17. Prusament ASA Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2024-05 · tds
  18. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. BambuLab TPU 95A HF vs Qidi TPU 95A HF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2024-02 · test
  20. Prusament ASA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  21. ASA — FDM Material Data Sheet (includes 1000 h QUV exposure results) Stratasys · 2026-08 · tds
  22. 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
  23. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  24. Elastollan — Chemical properties: swelling and chemical resistance BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  25. HIPS — Knowledge Base Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  26. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc