3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

e-TPU vs PC-CF

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

Foaming / expanded TPU (TPU Aero / TPU Air) guideCarbon-fibre PC (PC-CF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore e-TPU comparisonsMore PC-CF comparisons
e-TPU vs PC-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyFoaming / expanded TPU (TPU Aero / TPU Air)FLEXCarbon-fibre PC (PC-CF)PC
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$52.05/kg median; $41.99–$85.29/kg across 6 dated product listings$62.58/kg median; $34.99–$117.33/kg across 6 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryFoaming thermoplastic polyurethane — a blowing agent expands the extrudate so the printed Shore hardness can be tuned by flow rate[1]Polycarbonate reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.15 filament (Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air) and 1.05 (Roamr TPU Air HR), ISO 1183; the printed part falls to 0.51–0.93 depending on nozzle temperature (ISO 845)[4][5]1.22 (Prusament) and 1.36 (3DXTech), ISO 1183[2][3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 42–85; the middle of the market is about 52[6][7][8][9][10][11]1 kg-equivalent spools span 35–117; the middle of the market is about 63[12][13][14][15][16]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg42–85 across brands; QIDI TPU-Aero 42, Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air 45, Phaetus aeFlex TPU-Aero 49 direct and 40 at West3D, Roamr TPU Air HR 80A 55 at 800 g, Recreus Filaflex Foamy 73 at 750 g, colorFabb varioShore 85 at 700 g[6][7][8][9][10][11][17]35–117 across brands; Ambrosia 35, IEMAI 39, YXPOLYER 55, Spectrum PC CF 70, Prusament 94, 3DXTech 117[12][13][14][15][16]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands — colorFabb, Recreus, QIDI, Phaetus, Siraya Tech and FusRock all sell an active-foaming TPU[1][6][7][8][10][11]Available from several mainstream brands[12][14][18]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 0.7, 0.75, 0.8, 1 and 3 kg spools[1][6][8][9][11]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75, 0.8 and 1 kg spools[12][14]
Typical applicationsCushioning, midsoles, insoles and soft-touch parts where the softness needs to vary within one print; Siraya Tech's Roamr line is aimed specifically at printed footwear[1][9]Stiff high-temperature structural parts — jigs, drone frames and under-bonnet brackets[2][3]
Diameter tolerance± mm0.03 (Siraya Tech and Roamr, 1.75 mm)[4][5]±0.04 (Prusament PC Blend Carbon Fiber)[2]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C230–270 (QIDI and Siraya Tech), 220–260 (Roamr); foaming activates near 230 °C and is strongest at the top of the range[1][4][5][10]285 ± 10 (Prusament)[2]
Bed temperature°C30–45 (QIDI and Siraya Tech), 35–50 (Roamr) — a hot bed makes the foamed part over-stick[4][5][10]110 ± 10 (Prusament)[2]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame is fine — Roamr states no enclosure is required[1][5]Enclosure required (passive)[2][19]
Part cooling fan100 % — cooling sets the foamed structure quickly (Siraya Tech and Roamr)[4][5]Off — Prusa allows 0–20 % and warns cooling significantly reduces interlayer adhesion[2]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet or painter's tape; Polymaker warns TPU can over-stick and advises a glue stick as a release agent, and Siraya Tech recommends PVP glue or Magigoo as a release agent on PEI[20][21][4]PEI with a glue stick or a commercial adhesive[22]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sUp to 12 (Siraya Tech, Flex TPU Air)[8]Not documented
Warping tendency1–5Not documentedHigh — enclosure needed for reliable large parts; the fibre reduces warping against unfilled PC[2][19]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Not documentedNeeds a specific surface plus adhesive[22][23]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Severe — the material expands inside the hot end, so it oozes on travel moves; QIDI states retraction tuning cannot fix it and Siraya Tech advises setting retraction distance and speed to zero[4][10]Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker flags stringing as a common PC problem[23]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; both density and hardness follow nozzle temperature and flow[1]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; hardened nozzle mandatory[19][2]
Extruder requirementDirect drive; the base material is a 92A TPU[1][24]Not documented
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely — Roamr states plainly that no hardened nozzle is needed[25][5]Hardened steel required[19]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[25]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[19]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Not documentedHigh — jams from moisture, heat creep or particles; PC already absorbs water from the air and 3DXTech adds a hardened 0.4 mm minimum nozzle, 0.25 mm layers and a 120 °C pre-dry[26][22][27]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Not documentedSlightly sensitive[22]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required, but a direct-drive extruder is (Simplify3D)[20]All-metal hot end required (Simplify3D)[22]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate[28]Low (0.1–0.3 %) — the PC matrix takes up 0.15–0.25 % and 3DXTech specifies a 120 °C, 4 h pre-dry[29][30][26]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%1.09 water absorption (QIDI TPU-Aero; the standard is not stated)[10]0.11 after 7 days at 24 °C / 22 % RH (Prusa Polymers)[2]
Drying temperature & time70–80 °C for 4–6 h; keep below 15 % RH while printing (Siraya Tech, Roamr and QIDI)[4][5][10]Not documented
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface; Siraya Tech adds that moisture wrecks the foaming itself, not only the surface[28][4]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[28]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker groups TPU with the highly hygroscopic materials; no dry-versus-conditioned figures are published[28]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[23][28]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; often kept in a dryer during the print[28]Airtight containers with desiccant to prevent reabsorption[23]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPaFalls with foaming: colorFabb 24 unfoamed and 12 foamed (ISO 527-1A); Siraya Tech 10.3 at break printed at 240 °C down to 3.8 at 270 °C; QIDI 6.81 at break (ISO 527, XY)[1][4][10]64 ± 3 printed horizontal and 70 ± 3 printed vertical at yield, ISO 527-1 (Prusament); 3DXTech quotes 73 at break[2][3]
Young's modulusMPa50 unfoamed and 40 foamed (colorFabb, ISO 527-1A)[1]2600 printed horizontal and 3200 printed vertical, ISO 527-1 (Prusament); 3DXTech quotes 6980[2][3]
Elongation at break%465 unfoamed and 450 foamed (colorFabb, ISO 527-1A); Siraya Tech 629 at 240 °C down to 475 at 270 °C; Roamr 760 down to 540; QIDI 576 (ISO 527, XY)[1][4][5][10]4.6 at yield printed horizontal (Prusament); 3DXTech quotes 2.1 at break[2][3]
Flexural strengthMPaNot documented94 ± 3 printed horizontal and 130 ± 2 printed vertical, ISO 178 (Prusament); 3DXTech quotes 85[2][3]
Flexural modulusMPa50 unfoamed and 40 foamed flexural modulus (colorFabb, ISO 178)[1]3500 printed horizontal and 4200 printed vertical, ISO 178 (Prusament); 3DXTech quotes 6540[2][3]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented12 ± 1 printed horizontal and 17 ± 2 printed vertical, ISO 179-1 notched (Prusament)[2]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 32 ± 5 printed horizontal and 35 ± 4 printed vertical (Prusament, ISO 179-1)[2]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented23 ± 2 (Prusa Polymers interlayer adhesion test) — above the 21 ± 2 of unfilled Prusament PC Blend[2][30]
Brittleness1–5Very ductile — bends far before failing[1]Moderate[2][3]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellTunable by nozzle temperature: colorFabb 92 Shore A unfoamed; Siraya Tech 78 A printed at 240 °C falling to 63 A at 270 °C, Roamr TPU Air HR 80A 80 A down to 66 A and HR 85A 83 A down to 70 A (ISO 7619)[1][4][5][31]83 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method), against 79 for unfilled Prusament PC Blend[2][30]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Poor — no foamed-grade creep test; a printed 95A TPU bar crept from 74.5 to 82.7 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[32]Excellent — holds load for years. Room-temperature tensile creep of moulded unfilled PC ran unbroken at 41 MPa until the test was stopped; short carbon fibre raises the flexural modulus from about 2.1 to 3.5-6.5 GPa, which reduces creep strain further[33][2]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Excellent — living hinges viable[21]Good. No fatigue test data was found for a carbon-fibre PC filament; the unfilled polymer is rated Good on the same scale[33]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rubbery / highly elastic[1]Rigid[2]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented114 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Prusament)[2]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°CNot documented106 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Prusament), against 93 for unfilled Prusament PC Blend[2][30]
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented127 (3DXTech, DSC)[3]
Melting point / Vicat°CVicat softening drops as the foam expands: 83 printed at 240 °C to 53 at 270 °C (Siraya Tech, ISO 306); QIDI 70.4[4][10]Not documented
Continuous service temperature°CNot documented113 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament PC Blend[30]
Annealing responseFoaming activates near 230 °C and expands the extrudate about 1.6×; colorFabb advises dropping flow to 60–70 % to realise the weight saving, and Siraya Tech publishes a flow schedule from 85–90 % at 230 °C down to 50–55 % at 270 °C[1][4]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Good — years with some colour shift; Polymaker lists UV exposure among the conditions TPU withstands[21]Degrades within weeks outdoors unless stabilised[23]
Chemical resistanceWithstands industrial solvents and UV exposure (Polymaker)[21]Withstands oils, solvents and fuels; Polymaker rates it good against weak acids[23]
Food contactNot food safe without specific certification (Polymaker)[21]Bisphenol-A polycarbonate is not offered as food-contact filament[23]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[21]Not biodegradable[23]
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[21]Mechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[23]
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedSurface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — not static-dissipative (3DXTech, ASTM D257)[3]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; TPU was not among the nine filaments in the chamber study[34]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[34]
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[34]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[34]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[34][19]
Dust & fibre handling hazardNot documentedCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[3]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningDifficult to sand or smooth; Polymaker limits post-processing to trimming or tumbling[21]Sands and machines well; the toughness means it cuts rather than chips[22]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate bonds TPU; no common solvent welds it[21]Cyanoacrylate; dichloromethane solvent-welds PC but is a laboratory reagent[22]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[21]No practical vapour smoothing[22]
Support material pairingPolymaker warns TPU supports are often very difficult to remove[21]Prints its own supports; 3DXTech sells a dedicated PC break-away support[22]
Dimensional accuracy & detailFoamed surfaces are matte and textured; holding a consistent hardness means holding the nozzle temperature steady, and the printed density moves by nearly a factor of two across the 230–270 °C window[1][4]Not documented
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDMF, DMSO, NMP and THF dissolve TPU; acetone, MEK and cyclohexanone are partial solvents. All laboratory reagents.[35]Dichloromethane and chloroform dissolve the matrix and leave the fibre; DMF and dioxane do the same (Covestro).[36]
Softened or crazed byToluene and benzene swell it up to +50 % by weight at 23 °C; the foamed wall soaks up esters and alcohols faster still.[35]Methanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell it.[36]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone practical — the true solvents (DMF, THF, NMP) are laboratory reagents and leave the joint swollen and weak.[35]Dichloromethane cement welds the resin, but the fibre keeps the joint from flowing closed. Controlled carcinogen.[37]

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. varioShore TPU Technical Data Sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  2. Prusament PC Blend Carbon Fiber Technical Datasheet v2.0 Prusa Polymers · 2023-04 · tds
  3. CarbonX Carbon Fiber ezPC Polycarbonate Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  5. Roamr TPU Air HR 80A Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  6. Recreus product catalogue Recreus · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. varioShore TPU Natural — product page colorFabb US · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Siraya Tech Flex TPU Air Black Filament — lightweight foaming flexible, product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Roamr TPU Air HR 80A Filament — product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. TPU-Aero Lightweight TPU Filament — product page with specification tables QIDI Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. aeFlex TPU-Aero — active foaming low weight TPU, product page Phaetus · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Spectrum PC CF Carbon Black, 1.75 mm / 250 g 3DJAKE · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. IEMAI CF-PC 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. YXPOLYER PC CF product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. Phaetus aeWorthy TPU-Aero — reseller listing West3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. Filastruder product catalogue Filastruder · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Flexible (TPE/TPU) — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  21. TPU — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  23. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  24. NinjaFlex 85A Technical Specifications NinjaTek · 2026-08 · tds
  25. Extrudr Product Catalogue (DURAPRO PA12 data block) Extrudr · 2025-03 · tds
  26. CARBONX ezPC+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  27. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  28. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  29. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V2.0 — PC Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  30. Prusament PC Blend Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  31. Roamr TPU Air HR 85A Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  32. BambuLab TPU 95A HF vs Qidi TPU 95A HF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2024-02 · test
  33. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  34. 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
  35. Elastollan — Chemical properties: swelling and chemical resistance BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  36. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  37. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds