3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PA-CF ESD vs PET-CF

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

ESD-safe CF nylon guideCarbon-fibre PET (PET-CF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PA-CF ESD comparisonsMore PET-CF comparisons
PA-CF ESD vs PET-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyESD-safe CF nylonPACarbon-fibre PET (PET-CF)PETG
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$129.98/kg median; $129.98–$129.98/kg across 1 dated product listings$39.99/kg median; $26.00–$49.98/kg across 4 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryCarbon-filled polyamide compounded to a static-dissipative resistivity — Polymaker's grade uses a PA612 matrix[1]Semi-crystalline PET reinforced with carbon fibre — a different polymer from PETG-CF, with the glycol modifier removed so the matrix can crystallise[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.10 (ISO 1183)[1]1.29 (Bambu Lab) and 1.34 (Fiberon PET-CF17), ISO 1183[2][3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools cluster near 130[4]1 kg spools cluster near 45[2][4]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg130 at Polymaker's 0.5 kg pricing[4]26–50 across brands; ELEGOO 26 in a 5 kg pack, Bambu Lab 45, Fiberon 50[5][2][4]
Market availability1–5Special order, 1–2 makers worldwide[4]Available from several mainstream brands[2][4][5]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 0.5 kg spools[4]1.75 mm; 0.5 and 1 kg spools[4][2]
Typical applicationsElectronics jigs and trays that also need nylon toughness and heat resistance[1]Load-bearing parts that must survive above PETG's 70 °C ceiling without moving to PA or PC[2][3]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented260–290 (Bambu Lab)[2]
Bed temperature°CNot documented80–100 (Bambu Lab)[2]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive)[6]Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[2]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented45–60 (Bambu Lab)[2]
Part cooling fanNot documented0–60 % (Bambu Lab)[2]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet with a glue stick, or a dedicated adhesive such as Magigoo[7][6]Textured PEI, satin or powder-coated sheets; on smooth PEI a glue stick acts as a release agent[8][9]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented8 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[2][10]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[7]Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive — the problem is releasing the part, not sticking it[8][9]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed[6]Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker names stringing as PETG's common quirk[9]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Expert / industrial hardware only[6][11]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[2]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required — Polymaker measures brass nozzle life at about 9 h on PA612-ESD and recommends hardened steel or ruby[1]Hardened steel required[2]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — carbon-filled nylon composite; Polymaker puts brass nozzle life at roughly 9 h on PA612-ESD[1]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[2]
Nozzle clog risk1–5High — jams from moisture, heat creep or particles[11]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa lists higher risk of nozzle clogging for carbon-filled composites[12]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed[7]Slightly sensitive[13]
Hotend requirementMay require an all-metal hot end (Simplify3D)[7]No special hot-end required[13]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5High (0.8–2 %) — the PA612 matrix sits between PA6 and PA12[14][15]Moderate — 0.37 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.53 % equilibrium (Fiberon)[2][3]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented0.37 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.53 equilibrium (Fiberon PET-CF17)[2][3]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented80 °C for 8–12 h (Bambu Lab) — the longest and hottest dry in the polyester family; Fiberon specifies 100 °C for 10 h[2][3]
Symptoms when wetNot documentedBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[11]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker publishes dry and wet printed blocks for PA612-ESD itself: at 4.64 % moisture tensile falls 84.3 → 73.6 MPa and modulus 4294 → 3731 MPa[1][15]Bambu Lab publishes its whole mechanical table under the heading "Mechanical Properties (Dry state)" — the quoted figures apply only to dried filament[2]
Storage requirementSealed below 20 % RH with desiccant[11]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker groups PETG with the highly hygroscopic materials[11][9]
Hydrolysis at melt temperaturePolymaker specifies an 80–100 °C dry and storage below 20 % RH; no molecular-weight loss figure is published, and the wet data it does publish is conditioning rather than melt hydrolysis[16][17]The 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[2][3]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa84.3 ± 2.3 printed XY dry (annealed 100 °C/16 h), 73.6 ± 2.3 conditioned to 4.64 % moisture, ISO 527[1]65.9 (Fiberon) to 74 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 527[2][3]
Young's modulusMPa4293.7 ± 116.4 printed XY dry and 3730.8 ± 156.2 conditioned, ISO 527[1]4730 ± 260 (Bambu Lab) and 5481 ± 224 (Fiberon) printed XY, ISO 527[2][3]
Elongation at break%3.0 ± 0.1 printed XY dry and 4.2 ± 0.4 conditioned, ISO 527[1]2.4 ± 0.5 printed XY, ISO 527 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[3]
Flexural strengthMPaNot documented109.3 ± 2.0 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[3]
Flexural modulusMPaNot documented4744 ± 136 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[3]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²5.9 ± 0.4 printed XY dry and 4.9 ± 0.3 conditioned, ISO 179 notched[1]5.1 ± 0.2 printed XY, ISO 179 notched (Fiberon PET-CF17); unnotched 25.1 ± 2.8[3]
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 24.1 ± 2.4 printed XY and 4.5 ± 0.2 printed Z (ISO 179)[1]Not documented
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa21.5 ± 2.7 printed Z dry — only a quarter of XY, the most anisotropic nylon composite here; 19.2 ± 1.6 conditioned[1]27.9 (Fiberon) and 35 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) printed Z, ISO 527[2][3]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation 3.0 % in XY and 1.4 % in Z[1]Very brittle — elongation at break 2.4 % in XY and 0.8 % in Z[3]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellRockwell M88 / R117 on extruded PA66-GF30 stock (ASTM D785); no figure is published for a conductive carbon-filled nylon filament[18]Not documented
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Good. Ensinger rates its PA66-CF30 compound for sustained static and dynamic load at 110 °C continuous service; the PA612 matrix here still takes up 4.64 % moisture at conditioning, which softens it[19][1]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[3][2]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Good. Ensinger states carbon-filled PA66 compounds have improved fatigue strength in tension, flexure and compression[19]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[3]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[2]
Z strength as % of XY%26 (printed Z against XY tensile)[1]42 (Fiberon) to 47 (Bambu Lab), printed[2][3]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C157.0 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa)[1]147.5 (Fiberon) and 205 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[2][3]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C125.4 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa)[1]105 (Fiberon) and 182 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[2][3]
Glass transition (Tg)°C41.8 (DSC)[1]75 (Bambu Lab) and 79.3 (Fiberon), DSC[2][3]
Melting point / Vicat°C187.3 melting (DSC); Vicat 190.0 (ISO 306)[1]241.3 (Fiberon) and 250 (Bambu Lab) melting, DSC; Vicat 226–238[2][3]
Annealing responseNot documentedThe PET matrix crystallises on annealing, which is what separates this grade from PETG-CF[3][2]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for the grades surveyed[16]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for standard grades[20]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Months outdoors before embrittlement — unstabilised polyamide yellows under UV[6]Not documented
Chemical resistanceWithstands oils, fuels and alkalis[6]Withstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure[9]
Food contactNot food-contact certified as filament[6]Not certified for food contact as filament[9]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[6]Not biodegradable[9]
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[6]Not accepted in household plastic collection[9]
Electrical & ESD propertiesStatic-dissipative — the reason the grade exists; Polymaker's insulating nylon composites sit above 10¹² ohm by contrast[1][14]Surface resistivity above 10¹² ohm — insulating (Fiberon PET-CF17, ANSI/ESD S11.11)[3]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[21]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[21]
VOC emission rateµg/minUp to 180 caprolactam, the dominant VOC from nylon and the largest single-VOC rate in the study[21]Not documented
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min≈2 × 10⁸ median for nylon — low for particles despite the highest VOC mass measured[21]Not documented
Hazardous species emittedCaprolactam, at up to 180 µg/min from nylon filament[21]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[21]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[21][2]
Dust & fibre handling hazardFibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[16]Carbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[3]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands poorly — gums rather than powders[7]Sands poorly — the material is tough and gums rather than powders[13]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds polyamide[7]Cyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds PETG cleanly[13]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[7]No practical vapour smoothing[13]
Support material pairingNot documentedPrints its own supports; Polymaker rates PolyDissolve S1 for PETG[13]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedBambu Lab markets it on low warping and shrinkage relative to other high-temperature composites[2]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inFormic acid, phenol, m-cresol and hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve the matrix at 23 °C, leaving the fibre; laboratory reagents.[22]None common; fluorinated solvents such as hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve linear polyester at 23 °C. Laboratory only.[23][24]
Softened or crazed byZinc chloride solutions stress-crack the nylon matrix, alcoholic calcium chloride dissolves it, mineral acids attack it.[22]Ensinger rates polyester not resistant to chloroform or dichloromethane and only conditionally resistant to acetone and MEK.[24]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone — nylon's only solvents (formic acid, phenol, HFIP) degrade the part, and the fibre blocks surface flow anyway.[22]Dichloromethane attacks polyester and can be brushed on, but the carbon fibre blocks any useful surface flow.[24][25]

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. Fiberon PA612-ESD Technical Data Sheet V1.0 Polymaker · 2025-06 · tds
  2. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PET-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Fiberon PET-CF17 Technical Data Sheet V1.0 Polymaker · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  5. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. PA (Nylon) — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  7. Nylon — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  8. Prusament PETG Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  9. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  10. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  11. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  12. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  13. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  14. Fiberon PA612-CF15 Technical Data Sheet V1.1 Polymaker · 2024-12 · tds
  15. Moisture Conditioning — effect on printed nylon properties Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Fiberon PA6-CF20 Technical Data Sheet V1.1 Polymaker · 2024-12 · tds
  17. PolyMide CoPA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 (dry and wet status blocks) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  18. TECAMID 66 GF30 black (PA66-GF30) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  19. TECACOMP PA66 CF30 black — injection-moulding compound Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  20. Prusament PETG V0 Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  21. 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
  22. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  23. Resistance of Ultramid, Ultraform and Ultradur to chemicals (TI-KTU/AS-28 e) BASF · 2000-10 · tds
  24. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  25. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc