3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

Conductive vs PETG-CF

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

Conductive filament guideCarbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore Conductive comparisonsMore PETG-CF comparisons
Conductive vs PETG-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyConductive filamentSPECIALTYCarbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF)PETG
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$170.36/kg median; $89.99–$796.00/kg across 4 dated product listings$29.99/kg median; $16.00–$74.22/kg across 11 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryA carbon-filled compound conductive by volume rather than merely dissipative; Proto-pasta's is PLA-based, Recreus's and NinjaTek's are TPU, and add:north's Koltron G1 does not state its base polymer[1][2][3][4]PETG reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[5][6]
Densityg/cm³Not documented1.25 (Bambu Lab) to 1.34 (3DXTech), ISO 1183; Prusament 1.27[5][7][6]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 90–181 for the carbon-filled grades; add:north's Koltron G1 sits far above at 796 because it is sold only in 100 and 250 g coils[8][9][10]1 kg-equivalent spools span 16–74; the middle of the market is about 29[5][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg90–796 across brands; Proto-pasta conductive PLA 90 at 1 kg, Recreus Conductive Filaflex 160 at 500 g, NinjaTek Eel 181 at 1 kg, add:north Koltron G1 796 at 250 g[8][2][9][10]16–74 across brands; ELEGOO 16 in a 5 kg pack, Reli3D 17, SUNLU 20, IEMAI 22, Siraya Tech 25, Bambu Lab 32, Sakata 3D 53, 3DXTech 67, Prusament 70, Filament PM 74 on 0.5 kg spools[18][5][19][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[8][2]Stocked by most mainstream brands[5][19][11][18]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.05, 0.1, 0.25, 0.5, 1 and 2 kg spools[8][2][9][10]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75 and 1 kg spools[19][5]
Typical applicationsCapacitive touch surfaces, low-current traces, EMI shielding and static-safe fixtures[1]Stiff functional parts and fixtures where PETG's toughness is traded for rigidity and a matte finish[5][6]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented±0.02 (Prusament)[6]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented240–270 (Bambu Lab); 265 ± 10 (Prusament)[5][6]
Bed temperature°CNot documented65–75 (Bambu Lab); 90 ± 10 (Prusament)[5][6]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame is fine[1]Open frame fine; draught shield helps — Bambu Lab specifies a 35–50 °C chamber[5]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented35–50 (Bambu Lab)[5]
Part cooling fanNot documented0–60 % (Bambu Lab); 50 % (Prusament)[5][6]
Bed surface & adhesion aidNot documentedTextured PEI or engineering plate with glue (Bambu Lab)[5]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented11.5 on My Tech Fun's Bambu Lab PETG-CF profile[20]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Not documentedNeeds the right surface or a thin adhesive[5]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Not documentedSlight — the fibre reduces stringing against unfilled PETG[5][21]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile[1]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[5]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass acceptable; hardened steel for volume work[1]Hardened steel required[5]
Abrasiveness1–5Moderately abrasive — conductive carbon filler[1]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[5]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Low — Proto-pasta states the carbon-filled grade prints on standard PLA settings with no special nozzle required[1]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; 3DXTech specifies a hardened 0.4 mm minimum nozzle and 0.25 mm layers or higher, and Prusa lists composites as a higher clogging risk[22][23]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Not documentedSlightly sensitive[21]
Hotend requirementNot documentedHardened steel nozzle; no high-temperature hot-end needed[5][21]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Not documentedLow — 0.30 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[5]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented0.30 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); Prusa measures 0.10 after 7 days at 22 % RH[5][6]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented65 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[5]
Symptoms when wetNot documentedBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[24]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker rates PLA low-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures; absorbed water flashes to steam and shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[24]No dry-versus-conditioned figures published; Bambu Lab states PETG-CF must be properly dried before printing and stored dry after use[5][24]
Storage requirementNot documentedSealed with desiccant; Bambu Lab says store dry after use[5][24]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPaNot documented35 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) and 47 ± 2 at yield (Prusament) printed XY, ISO 527; 56 at break for 3DXTech[5][6][7]
Young's modulusMPaNot documented2460 ± 230 (Bambu Lab) and 1700 (Prusament) printed XY, ISO 527[5][6]
Elongation at break%Not documented4.3 at yield (Prusament, printed XY, ISO 527); 3 at break for 3DXTech[6][7]
Flexural strengthMPaNot documented68 ± 3 printed horizontal, ISO 178 (Prusament)[6]
Flexural modulusMPaNot documented2300 printed horizontal, 3100 printed vertical, ISO 178 (Prusament)[6]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 29 ± 6 printed horizontal and 43 ± 8 printed vertical (Prusament, ISO 179-1); Izod 4.91 kJ/m² on My Tech Fun bars[6][20]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented29 ± 4 printed Z (Bambu Lab, ISO 527); 18 ± 3 by Prusa's interlayer adhesion test; 10.7 on My Tech Fun bars[5][6][20]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning; carbon-black loading at conductive levels embrittles PLA[1]Brittle — snaps with little warning[7]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documented77 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method)[6]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Not documentedBelow average — a 12 mm bar sagged to 16.4 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg, less than plain PETG's 19.4[20]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Not documentedModerate — no CF-grade S-N curve; unfilled printed PETG ran 79 000–193 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength[25]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[5]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented83 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile)[5]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented74 (Bambu Lab) and 96 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[5][6]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[5][6]
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (3DXTech), DSC[5][7]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documented225 melting (Bambu Lab, DSC) — the carbon fibre lets the PET fraction crystallise[5]
Continuous service temperature°CNot documented77 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature, against 61 for Bambu Lab PETG Basic[20]
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedFlammable; no UL 94 rating published[5]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Not documentedModerate — a season or two; the carbon fibre does not add UV stabilisation[26]
Chemical resistanceNot documentedWithstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure, as for unfilled PETG[26]
Food contactNot documentedNot certified for food contact[26]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot documentedNot biodegradable[26]
RecyclabilityNot documentedFibre-filled PETG is not accepted in household plastic collection[26]
Electrical & ESD propertiesConductive rather than dissipative — Proto-pasta sells the grade as electrically conductive composite PLA[1]Surface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — carbon fibre at this loading is not static-dissipative (3DXTech)[7]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; none of these materials was in the chamber study[27]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[27]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[27]Open a window / occasional ventilation[27]
Dust & fibre handling hazardConductive carbon filler is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[1]Carbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[7]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningNot documentedSands to a matte finish more readily than unfilled PETG[21]
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds it[21]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNot documentedNo practical vapour smoothing[21]
Support material pairingNot documentedSupport for PLA or its own material (Bambu Lab)[5]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedMatte finish hides layer lines; stringing is reduced against unfilled PETG[5]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inChloroform dissolves PLA-based grades, leaving the carbon black; TPU-based grades need DMF, NMP or THF. Laboratory reagents.[28][29]No common workshop solvent; dichloromethane — a carcinogen — dissolves the matrix surface, 1,2-dichloroethane destroys it in a week.[30][31]
Softened or crazed byAcetone and ethyl acetate plasticise a PLA-based grade; a TPU-based grade swells in toluene, esters and alcohols.[28][29]Acetone (+16 % weight over 1 year at 23 °C), ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften it; methanol crazes it.[30]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone — neither PLA nor TPU has a workshop-safe welding or smoothing solvent.[28][29]Dichloromethane reaches only the resin, so the fibre is left standing proud of the surface. Controlled carcinogen.[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. Electrically Conductive Composite PLA — product page and technical data Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · tds
  2. Recreus product catalogue Recreus · 2026-08 · vendor
  3. Eel 3D Printing Filament Technical Specifications NinjaTek · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Koltron G1 Technical Data Sheet add:north · 2026-08 · tds
  5. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PETG-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  6. Prusament PETG Carbon Fiber Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  7. CarbonX Carbon Fiber PETG Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  8. Proto-pasta product catalogue Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Eel product page — durometer, print guidelines and price NinjaTek · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. add:north Koltron G1 product page add:north · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. SUNLU PETG-CF (PETG Carbon Fiber) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Fibreheart PETG-CF Pro Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. IEMAI CF-PETG 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. Reli3D Carbon Fiber PETG Filament 1.75 mm, 1 kg Reli3D (Amazon US) · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. PET-G CF15 Sakata 3D Filaments · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. Filament PM CFJet technical data sheet (TDS CFJet ENG.pdf) Filament PM (Plasty Mladec) · 2026-08 · tds
  18. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  20. BambuLab PETG Basic vs Translucent vs PETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  21. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  22. CARBONX PETG+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  23. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  25. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  26. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  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. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  29. Elastollan — Chemical properties: swelling and chemical resistance BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  30. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  31. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc