3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PA11 vs PET-CF

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

PA11 (Nylon 11) guideCarbon-fibre PET (PET-CF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PA11 comparisonsMore PET-CF comparisons
PA11 vs PET-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyPA11 (Nylon 11)PACarbon-fibre PET (PET-CF)PETG
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$194.98/kg median; $194.98–$194.98/kg across 1 dated product listings$39.99/kg median; $26.00–$49.98/kg across 4 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPolyamide 11, polymerised from castor-oil-derived aminoundecanoic acid — a bio-based nylon[1][2]Semi-crystalline PET reinforced with carbon fibre — a different polymer from PETG-CF, with the glycol modifier removed so the matrix can crystallise[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.02 (ISO 1183)[1]1.29 (Bambu Lab) and 1.34 (Fiberon PET-CF17), ISO 1183[3][4]
Typical priceUSD/kgNot documented1 kg spools cluster near 45[3][5]
Price range across brandsUSD/kgNot documented26–50 across brands; ELEGOO 26 in a 5 kg pack, Bambu Lab 45, Fiberon 50[6][3][5]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[2]Available from several mainstream brands[3][5][6]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 1 kg spools[2]1.75 mm; 0.5 and 1 kg spools[5][3]
Typical applicationsTough, chemically resistant functional parts; Prusa targets it at impact-loaded and vibration-loaded components[2]Load-bearing parts that must survive above PETG's 70 °C ceiling without moving to PA or PC[3][4]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.02 (Prusament)[1]Not documented
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C275 ± 10 (Prusament)[1]260–290 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Bed temperature°C100 ± 10 (Prusament)[1]80–100 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive) — Prusament specifies a 55 ± 5 °C chamber[1]Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[3]
Recommended chamber temperature°C55 ± 5 (Prusament)[1]45–60 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Part cooling fanNot documented0–60 % (Bambu Lab)[3]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPA nylon sheet (Prusament)[1]Textured PEI, satin or powder-coated sheets; on smooth PEI a glue stick acts as a release agent[7][8]
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[3][9]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Not documentedNeeds the right surface or a thin adhesive — the problem is releasing the part, not sticking it[7][8]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Not documentedModerate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker names stringing as PETG's common quirk[8]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[1][10]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[3]
Extruder requirementPrusa printed its test specimens with a high-flow CHT nozzle[1]Not documented
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely for unfilled grades[10]Hardened steel required[3]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive when unfilled[10]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[3]
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 sensitivity1–5Not documentedSlightly sensitive[13]
Hotend requirementNot documentedNo special hot-end required[13]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5High (0.8–2 %) — Prusa measures 0.46 % after 7 days at 22 % RH, but PA11 sits between PA12 and PA6 in the family[1][11]Moderate — 0.37 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.53 % equilibrium (Fiberon)[3][4]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.26 after 24 h and 0.46 after 7 days (Prusa Polymers method)[1]0.37 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.53 equilibrium (Fiberon PET-CF17)[3][4]
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[3][4]
Symptoms when wetPopping and cracking during extrusion, then hard-to-diagnose defects[14]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[11]
Effect of moisture on strengthPrusa publishes no dry-versus-conditioned columns; the CoPA reference shows the PA-family response — stiffness and strength fall sharply, impact and elongation rise[14][15]Bambu Lab publishes its whole mechanical table under the heading "Mechanical Properties (Dry state)" — the quoted figures apply only to dried filament[3]
Storage requirementSealed below 20 % RH with desiccant[11]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker groups PETG with the highly hygroscopic materials[11][8]
Hydrolysis at melt temperatureNot documentedThe 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[3][4]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa38.3 ± 0.8 printed horizontal and 39.5 ± 0.5 printed vertical at yield, ISO 527-1[1]65.9 (Fiberon) to 74 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 527[3][4]
Young's modulusMPa1200 printed, both orientations, ISO 527-1[1]4730 ± 260 (Bambu Lab) and 5481 ± 224 (Fiberon) printed XY, ISO 527[3][4]
Elongation at break%5.6 ± 0.1 at yield, printed, ISO 527-1[1]2.4 ± 0.5 printed XY, ISO 527 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[4]
Flexural strengthMPaNot documented109.3 ± 2.0 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[4]
Flexural modulusMPa1100 printed horizontal and 1000 printed vertical, ISO 178[1]4744 ± 136 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[4]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²12.9 ± 2.1 printed horizontal and 11.7 ± 1.2 printed vertical, ISO 179-1 notched[1]5.1 ± 0.2 printed XY, ISO 179 notched (Fiberon PET-CF17); unnotched 25.1 ± 2.8[4]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa32 ± 1 (Prusa Polymers interlayer adhesion test) — the highest interlayer figure Prusa publishes for any of its filaments[1]27.9 (Fiberon) and 35 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) printed Z, ISO 527[3][4]
Brittleness1–5Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[1]Very brittle — elongation at break 2.4 % in XY and 0.8 % in Z[4]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / Rockwell70 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method)[1]Not documented
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Not documentedGood — 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[4][3]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Excellent — living hinges viable[10]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[4]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Semi-flexible[1]Rigid[3]
Z strength as % of XY%84 — Prusa publishes a tensile anisotropy coefficient of 0.84, the ratio of Z to XY tensile strength[1]42 (Fiberon) to 47 (Bambu Lab), printed[3][4]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C58.7 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa)[1]147.5 (Fiberon) and 205 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[3][4]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C49.9 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa)[1]105 (Fiberon) and 182 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[3][4]
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented75 (Bambu Lab) and 79.3 (Fiberon), DSC[3][4]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documented241.3 (Fiberon) and 250 (Bambu Lab) melting, DSC; Vicat 226–238[3][4]
Annealing responseNot documentedThe PET matrix crystallises on annealing, which is what separates this grade from PETG-CF[4][3]
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedFlammable; no UL 94 rating published for standard grades[16]
Environment & Chemical
Chemical resistanceNot documentedWithstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure[8]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Absorbs water, properties shift[14]Not documented
Food contactNot documentedNot certified for food contact as filament[8]
Biodegradability / compostabilityBio-based — the monomer comes from castor oil[2]Not biodegradable[8]
RecyclabilityNot documentedNot accepted in household plastic collection[8]
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedSurface resistivity above 10¹² ohm — insulating (Fiberon PET-CF17, ANSI/ESD S11.11)[4]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[17]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[17]
VOC emission rateµg/minUp to 180 caprolactam, the dominant VOC from nylon; total VOC reached nearly 200 µg/min, the highest of the nine filaments tested[17]Not documented
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min≈2 × 10⁸ median — low for ultrafine particles despite the highest VOC mass of any filament tested[17]Not documented
Hazardous species emittedCaprolactam, at up to 180 µg/min from nylon filament — the largest single-VOC emission rate measured in the study[17]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[17]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[17][3]
Dust & fibre handling hazardNot documentedCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[4]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningNot documentedSands poorly — the material is tough and gums rather than powders[13]
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds PETG cleanly[13]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNot documentedNo 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[3]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDissolved at 23 °C by formic acid, phenol, m-cresol, 96 % sulphuric acid or hexafluoroisopropanol — all laboratory reagents.[18][19]None common; fluorinated solvents such as hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve linear polyester at 23 °C. Laboratory only.[20][19]
Softened or crazed byMineral acids, oxidants, halogens and zinc chloride solutions attack the amide bond; ordinary solvents do not (BASF, PA6/66).[18]Ensinger rates polyester not resistant to chloroform or dichloromethane and only conditionally resistant to acetone and MEK.[19]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone — nylon's only solvents are formic acid, phenol and HFIP, all of which degrade the part they wet.[18]Dichloromethane attacks polyester and can be brushed on, but the carbon fibre blocks any useful surface flow.[19][21]

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. Prusament PA11 Technical Datasheet v1.0 Prusa Polymers · 2026-07 · tds
  2. Prusament PA11 — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  3. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PET-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Fiberon PET-CF17 Technical Data Sheet V1.0 Polymaker · 2026-08 · tds
  5. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. Prusament PETG Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  8. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  9. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  10. PA (Nylon) — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 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. Moisture Conditioning — effect on printed nylon properties Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  15. PolyMide CoPA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 (dry and wet status blocks) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  16. Prusament PETG V0 Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  17. 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
  18. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  19. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  20. Resistance of Ultramid, Ultraform and Ultradur to chemicals (TI-KTU/AS-28 e) BASF · 2000-10 · tds
  21. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc