3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PA-CF ESD vs PETG-CF

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

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

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PA-CF ESD comparisonsMore PETG-CF comparisons
PA-CF ESD vs PETG-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyESD-safe CF nylonPACarbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF)PETG
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$129.98/kg median; $129.98–$129.98/kg across 1 dated product listings$29.99/kg median; $16.00–$74.22/kg across 11 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryCarbon-filled polyamide compounded to a static-dissipative resistivity — Polymaker's grade uses a PA612 matrix[1]PETG reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.10 (ISO 1183)[1]1.25 (Bambu Lab) to 1.34 (3DXTech), ISO 1183; Prusament 1.27[2][4][3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools cluster near 130[5]1 kg-equivalent spools span 16–74; the middle of the market is about 29[2][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg130 at Polymaker's 0.5 kg pricing[5]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[13][2][14][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]
Market availability1–5Special order, 1–2 makers worldwide[5]Stocked by most mainstream brands[2][14][6][13]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 0.5 kg spools[5]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75 and 1 kg spools[14][2]
Typical applicationsElectronics jigs and trays that also need nylon toughness and heat resistance[1]Stiff functional parts and fixtures where PETG's toughness is traded for rigidity and a matte finish[2][3]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented±0.02 (Prusament)[3]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented240–270 (Bambu Lab); 265 ± 10 (Prusament)[2][3]
Bed temperature°CNot documented65–75 (Bambu Lab); 90 ± 10 (Prusament)[2][3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive)[15]Open frame fine; draught shield helps — Bambu Lab specifies a 35–50 °C chamber[2]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented35–50 (Bambu Lab)[2]
Part cooling fanNot documented0–60 % (Bambu Lab); 50 % (Prusament)[2][3]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet with a glue stick, or a dedicated adhesive such as Magigoo[16][15]Textured PEI or engineering plate with glue (Bambu Lab)[2]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented11.5 on My Tech Fun's Bambu Lab PETG-CF profile[17]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[16]Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive[2]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed[15]Slight — the fibre reduces stringing against unfilled PETG[2][18]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Expert / industrial hardware only[15][19]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[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[19]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[20][21]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed[16]Slightly sensitive[18]
Hotend requirementMay require an all-metal hot end (Simplify3D)[16]Hardened steel nozzle; no high-temperature hot-end needed[2][18]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5High (0.8–2 %) — the PA612 matrix sits between PA6 and PA12[22][23]Low — 0.30 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[2]
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[2][3]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented65 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[2]
Symptoms when wetNot documentedBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[19]
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][23]No dry-versus-conditioned figures published; Bambu Lab states PETG-CF must be properly dried before printing and stored dry after use[2][19]
Storage requirementSealed below 20 % RH with desiccant[19]Sealed with desiccant; Bambu Lab says store dry after use[2][19]
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[24][25]Not documented
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]35 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) and 47 ± 2 at yield (Prusament) printed XY, ISO 527; 56 at break for 3DXTech[2][3][4]
Young's modulusMPa4293.7 ± 116.4 printed XY dry and 3730.8 ± 156.2 conditioned, ISO 527[1]2460 ± 230 (Bambu Lab) and 1700 (Prusament) 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]4.3 at yield (Prusament, printed XY, ISO 527); 3 at break for 3DXTech[3][4]
Flexural strengthMPaNot documented68 ± 3 printed horizontal, ISO 178 (Prusament)[3]
Flexural modulusMPaNot documented2300 printed horizontal, 3100 printed vertical, ISO 178 (Prusament)[3]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²5.9 ± 0.4 printed XY dry and 4.9 ± 0.3 conditioned, ISO 179 notched[1]Not documented
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 24.1 ± 2.4 printed XY and 4.5 ± 0.2 printed Z (ISO 179)[1]Charpy unnotched 29 ± 6 printed horizontal and 43 ± 8 printed vertical (Prusament, ISO 179-1); Izod 4.91 kJ/m² on My Tech Fun bars[3][17]
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]29 ± 4 printed Z (Bambu Lab, ISO 527); 18 ± 3 by Prusa's interlayer adhesion test; 10.7 on My Tech Fun bars[2][3][17]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation 3.0 % in XY and 1.4 % in Z[1]Brittle — snaps with little warning[4]
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[26]77 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method)[3]
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[27][1]Below average — a 12 mm bar sagged to 16.4 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg, less than plain PETG's 19.4[17]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Good. Ensinger states carbon-filled PA66 compounds have improved fatigue strength in tension, flexure and compression[27]Moderate — no CF-grade S-N curve; unfilled printed PETG ran 79 000–193 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength[28]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[2]
Z strength as % of XY%26 (printed Z against XY tensile)[1]83 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile)[2]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C157.0 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa)[1]74 (Bambu Lab) and 96 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[2][3]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C125.4 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa)[1]68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[2][3]
Glass transition (Tg)°C41.8 (DSC)[1]68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (3DXTech), DSC[2][4]
Melting point / Vicat°C187.3 melting (DSC); Vicat 190.0 (ISO 306)[1]225 melting (Bambu Lab, DSC) — the carbon fibre lets the PET fraction crystallise[2]
Continuous service temperature°CNot documented77 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature, against 61 for Bambu Lab PETG Basic[17]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for the grades surveyed[24]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[2]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Months outdoors before embrittlement — unstabilised polyamide yellows under UV[15]Moderate — a season or two; the carbon fibre does not add UV stabilisation[29]
Chemical resistanceWithstands oils, fuels and alkalis[15]Withstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure, as for unfilled PETG[29]
Food contactNot food-contact certified as filament[15]Not certified for food contact[29]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[15]Not biodegradable[29]
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[15]Fibre-filled PETG is not accepted in household plastic collection[29]
Electrical & ESD propertiesStatic-dissipative — the reason the grade exists; Polymaker's insulating nylon composites sit above 10¹² ohm by contrast[1][22]Surface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — carbon fibre at this loading is not static-dissipative (3DXTech)[4]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[30]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[30]
VOC emission rateµg/minUp to 180 caprolactam, the dominant VOC from nylon and the largest single-VOC rate in the study[30]Not documented
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min≈2 × 10⁸ median for nylon — low for particles despite the highest VOC mass measured[30]Not documented
Hazardous species emittedCaprolactam, at up to 180 µg/min from nylon filament[30]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[30]Open a window / occasional ventilation[30]
Dust & fibre handling hazardFibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[24]Carbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[4]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands poorly — gums rather than powders[16]Sands to a matte finish more readily than unfilled PETG[18]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds polyamide[16]Cyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds it[18]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[16]No practical vapour smoothing[18]
Support material pairingNot documentedSupport for PLA or its own material (Bambu Lab)[2]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedMatte finish hides layer lines; stringing is reduced against unfilled PETG[2]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inFormic acid, phenol, m-cresol and hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve the matrix at 23 °C, leaving the fibre; laboratory reagents.[31]No common workshop solvent; dichloromethane — a carcinogen — dissolves the matrix surface, 1,2-dichloroethane destroys it in a week.[32][33]
Softened or crazed byZinc chloride solutions stress-crack the nylon matrix, alcoholic calcium chloride dissolves it, mineral acids attack it.[31]Acetone (+16 % weight over 1 year at 23 °C), ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften it; methanol crazes it.[32]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone — nylon's only solvents (formic acid, phenol, HFIP) degrade the part, and the fibre blocks surface flow anyway.[31]Dichloromethane reaches only the resin, so the fibre is left standing proud of the surface. Controlled carcinogen.[33]

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 — PETG-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Prusament PETG Carbon Fiber Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  4. CarbonX Carbon Fiber PETG Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  5. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. SUNLU PETG-CF (PETG Carbon Fiber) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Fibreheart PETG-CF Pro Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. IEMAI CF-PETG 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Reli3D Carbon Fiber PETG Filament 1.75 mm, 1 kg Reli3D (Amazon US) · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. PET-G CF15 Sakata 3D Filaments · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Filament PM CFJet technical data sheet (TDS CFJet ENG.pdf) Filament PM (Plasty Mladec) · 2026-08 · tds
  13. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. PA (Nylon) — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Nylon — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  17. BambuLab PETG Basic vs Translucent vs PETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  18. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  19. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  20. CARBONX PETG+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  21. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Fiberon PA612-CF15 Technical Data Sheet V1.1 Polymaker · 2024-12 · tds
  23. Moisture Conditioning — effect on printed nylon properties Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Fiberon PA6-CF20 Technical Data Sheet V1.1 Polymaker · 2024-12 · tds
  25. PolyMide CoPA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 (dry and wet status blocks) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  26. TECAMID 66 GF30 black (PA66-GF30) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  27. TECACOMP PA66 CF30 black — injection-moulding compound Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  28. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  29. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  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. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  32. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  33. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc