3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PA12-CF vs PA6-GF

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

Carbon-fibre PA12 (PA12-CF) guideGlass-fibre PA6 (PA6-GF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PA12-CF comparisonsMore PA6-GF comparisons
PA12-CF vs PA6-GF — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre PA12 (PA12-CF)PAGlass-fibre PA6 (PA6-GF)PA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$109.98/kg median; $52.00–$180.00/kg across 4 dated product listings$59.98/kg median; $39.99–$130.00/kg across 6 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPA12 reinforced with chopped carbon fibre — Polymaker's grade is 10 wt%[1][2]PA6 reinforced with chopped glass fibre — Polymaker's grade is 25 wt%[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.06 (Polymaker Fiberon) and 1.16 (3DXTech), ISO 1183[1][2]1.14 (Bambu Lab) and 1.20 (Polymaker Fiberon), ISO 1183[4][3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 52–180; the middle of the market is about 110[5][6][7]1 kg-equivalent spools span 40–130; the middle of the market is about 60[4][5][8]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg52–180 across brands; IEMAI 3D 52, YXPOLYER 80 at 500 g, Polymaker Fiberon 140, 3DXTech CarbonX 180[5][6][9][7]40–130 across brands; SUNLU 40, YXPOLYER 45, Polymaker Fiberon and Bambu Lab 60, 3DXTech FibreX 87, Obsidian Nylon 6+GF 130[5][4][6][8][10]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[5][6]Stocked by most mainstream brands[4][5][6][8][10]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 0.5, 0.75 and 2 kg spools[5][6]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75 and 1 kg spools[5][6][4]
Typical applicationsStiff parts that must stay dimensionally stable in changing humidity — Polymaker sells this grade specifically on low moisture sensitivity[11][1]Stiff, heat-resistant structural parts where a matte finish and lower cost beat carbon fibre[4][3]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C260–290 (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12 CF)[12]260–290 (Bambu Lab)[4]
Bed temperature°C110 (Extrudr DURAPRO PA12 CF)[12]Not documented
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive)[13][1]Enclosure required (passive) — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[4]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented45–60 (Bambu Lab)[4]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI sheet with a glue stick, or a dedicated adhesive such as Magigoo[14][13]PEI sheet with a glue stick, or a dedicated adhesive such as Magigoo[14][13]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s12 at Extrudr's 150 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[12][15]10 at Bambu Lab's 130 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[4][15]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[14]Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[14]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed[13]Moderate — retraction tuning needed[13]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[13]Expert / industrial hardware only[4][16]
Extruder requirementNot documented0.6 mm nozzle recommended by Bambu Lab; 0.4 and 0.8 also supported[4]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required — Polymaker measures brass nozzle life at about 9 h on PA12-CF10 and recommends hardened steel or ruby[1]Hardened steel required — Polymaker measures brass nozzle life at about 9 h on PA6-GF25 and recommends hardened steel or ruby[3]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite; Polymaker puts brass nozzle life at roughly 9 h on PA12-CF10[1]Highly abrasive — standard GF composite; Polymaker puts brass nozzle life at roughly 9 h on PA6-GF25[3]
Nozzle clog risk1–5High — jams from moisture, heat creep or particles[16]Very high — frequent jams without careful setup[16]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed[14]Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed[14]
Hotend requirementMay require an all-metal hot end (Simplify3D)[14]May require an all-metal hot end (Simplify3D)[14]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5High (0.8–2 %) — 1.5 % equilibrium, the lowest of Polymaker's nylon composites and less than half its PA6-GF25[1][3]Very high (>2 %) — 2.56 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab) and 3.33 % equilibrium (Polymaker Fiberon), the highest in the dataset[4][3]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%1.5 equilibrium water absorption (Polymaker Fiberon PA12-CF10)[1]2.56 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 3.33 equilibrium (Polymaker Fiberon PA6-GF25)[4][3]
Drying temperature & time80–100 °C; storage below 20 % RH[16][1]80 °C for 8–12 h (Bambu Lab)[4]
Symptoms when wetNot documentedPopping and cracking during extrusion, then hard-to-diagnose defects[11]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker's own dry/wet blocks for PA12-CF10 change little: at 2.92 % moisture tensile falls 77.4 → 71.7 MPa and modulus 3311 → 3132 MPa, against a halving for its PA6 grades[1][11]Polymaker publishes dry and wet printed blocks for PA6-GF25 itself: at 4.57 % moisture tensile falls 80.1 → 40.2 MPa and modulus 5357 → 1794 MPa, while notched Charpy rises 10.0 → 28.0 kJ/m²[3][11]
Storage requirementSealed below 20 % RH with desiccant[16]Sealed below 20 % RH with desiccant[16]
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[17][18]Polymaker 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[17][18]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa77.4 ± 1.1 printed XY dry (Polymaker Fiberon), 71.7 ± 0.7 conditioned to 2.92 % moisture, ISO 527; 3DXTech quotes 72 at break. Stratasys FDM Nylon 12CF spans 76.5-124 at break printed XZ across five machine and tip combinations (ASTM D638)[1][2][19]75 ± 6 (Bambu Lab) and 80.1 ± 1.8 (Polymaker Fiberon, dry/annealed) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberon falls to 40.2 ± 2.1 conditioned to 4.57 % moisture. Stratasys FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR gives 60.2-61.1 at break and 61.7-62.3 at yield printed XZ (ASTM D638)[4][3][20]
Young's modulusMPa3311 ± 135 printed XY dry and 3132 ± 124 conditioned, ISO 527 (Polymaker Fiberon); 3DXTech quotes 8000. Stratasys FDM Nylon 12CF spans 7910-15400 printed XZ against 2130-3000 in ZX (ASTM D638)[1][2][19]2850 ± 260 (Bambu Lab) and 5357 ± 211 (Polymaker Fiberon, dry) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberon falls to 1794 ± 84 conditioned. Stratasys FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR gives 5600-5830 printed XZ against 3050-3140 in ZX (ASTM D638)[4][3][20]
Elongation at break%4.2 ± 0.4 printed XY dry and 5.3 ± 0.3 conditioned, ISO 527 (Polymaker Fiberon); 3DXTech quotes 2.1 at break[1][2]2.4 ± 0.2 dry (Polymaker Fiberon) to 3.9 ± 0.8 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 527; the Fiberon grade rises to 4.2 ± 0.7 conditioned[4][3]
Flexural strengthMPa90 (printed XY, 3DXTech, ISO 178). Stratasys FDM Nylon 12CF spans 152-200 printed XZ against 61-73 in ZX (ASTM D790)[2][19]Not documented
Flexural modulusMPa7900 (printed XY, 3DXTech, ISO 178)[2]3670 ± 140 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab)[4]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²9.9 ± 0.7 printed XY dry and 10.2 ± 0.8 conditioned, ISO 179 notched (Polymaker Fiberon)[1]10.0 ± 0.7 printed XY dry and 28.0 ± 1.0 conditioned, ISO 179 notched (Polymaker Fiberon); Bambu Lab 7.2 ± 2.3[3][4]
Other impact dataIzod notched 102-138 J/m printed XZ against 22.4-45.5 J/m in ZX (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12CF, ASTM D256)[19]Charpy unnotched 27.2 ± 2.2 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179). Stratasys FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR gives Izod notched 74.6-77.1 J/m printed XZ against 17.2-22.1 in ZX (ASTM D256)[4][20]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa52.2 ± 0.8 printed Z dry (Polymaker Fiberon) — 67 % of XY, unusually isotropic for a filled nylon; 42.1 ± 1.8 conditioned. Stratasys FDM Nylon 12CF gives 32.7-38.4 at break printed ZX (ASTM D638)[1][19]27 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) and 60.7 ± 1.1 (Polymaker Fiberon, dry) printed Z, ISO 527 — the two makers differ by more than a factor of two; Fiberon falls to 26.3 ± 1.5 conditioned. Stratasys FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR gives 23.7-24.4 at break printed ZX (ASTM D638)[4][3][20]
Brittleness1–5Moderate[1]Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation at break 2.4 % in XY[3]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellRockwell M88 / R117 on extruded PA66-GF30 stock (ASTM D785); no figure is published for a carbon-fibre PA12 filament[21]Rockwell M88 / R117 on extruded PA66-GF30 stock (ASTM D785)[21]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Good. Ensinger rates its PA66-CF30 compound for sustained static and dynamic load at 110 °C continuous service; the PA12 matrix takes up 1.5 % equilibrium moisture against PA6's several per cent, so a PA12-CF part drifts less in service[22][1]Good. Ensinger lists high creep resistance as a headline property of extruded PA66-GF30 stock; the rating is held below Excellent because equilibrium moisture uptake of 3.33 % softens the matrix in service[21][3]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Good. Stratasys sells unfilled FDM Nylon 12 specifically for repetitive-flex parts on the strength of its fatigue properties, and Ensinger reports improved fatigue strength for carbon-filled nylon compounds[22]Good. Ensinger lists high fatigue strength as a headline property of extruded PA66-GF30 stock[21]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[4]
Z strength as % of XY%31-50 (Stratasys FDM Nylon 12CF, ZX against XZ tensile at break, ASTM D638, five machine and tip combinations) against 67 (Polymaker Fiberon PA12-CF10, printed Z against XY)[1][19]36 (Bambu Lab) to 76 (Polymaker Fiberon), printed; Stratasys FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR gives 39-41 (ZX against XZ tensile at break, ASTM D638)[4][3][20]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C131 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa, Polymaker Fiberon). Stratasys FDM Nylon 12CF gives 160 printed XY and 168 ZX, and 175 with unidirectional toolpaths (ASTM D648 at 66 psi)[1][19]182 (Bambu Lab) and 191 (Polymaker Fiberon), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa. Stratasys FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR gives 161 printed XY and 185 XZ (ASTM D648 at 66 psi)[4][3][20]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C105 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa, Polymaker Fiberon). Stratasys FDM Nylon 12CF gives 130 printed XY and 154 ZX (ASTM D648 at 264 psi)[1][19]157 (Polymaker Fiberon) and 158 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[4][3]
Glass transition (Tg)°C55 (DSC, Polymaker Fiberon)[1]67 (Bambu Lab) and 70.4 (Polymaker Fiberon), DSC; Stratasys measures 51.5 on FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR (ASTM D7426)[4][3][20]
Melting point / Vicat°C171 melting (DSC); Vicat 170.2 (ISO 306)[1]214.5 (Polymaker Fiberon) and 219 (Bambu Lab) melting, DSC; Vicat 210–212 (ISO 306)[4][3]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·KStratasys FDM Nylon 12CF gives 116 on XY-built and 37 on ZX-built specimens over -50 to 20 °C, rising to 181 (XY) and 46 (ZX) above the 37.5 °C glass transition (ASTM E831); Extrudr quotes 100 for DURAPRO PA12 CF (ISO 11359-2)[12][19]48.6 on extruded PA66-GF30 stock (ASTM D696; source states 2.7e-5 in/in/°F). Stratasys measures much higher on printed FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR — 95.4 over -20 to 5 °C and 214 over 25 to 80 °C in XY (ASTM E831)[21][20]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for the grades surveyed[17]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for the grades surveyed[17]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Months outdoors before embrittlement — unstabilised polyamide yellows under UV[13]Months outdoors before embrittlement — unstabilised polyamide yellows under UV[13]
Chemical resistanceWithstands oils, fuels and alkalis[13]Withstands oils, fuels and alkalis[13]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Good — minor absorption; the most humidity-stable nylon composite here[11][1]Absorbs water, properties shift[11]
Food contactNot food-contact certified as filament[13]Not food-contact certified as filament[13]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[13]Not biodegradable[13]
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[13]Not accepted in household plastic collection[13]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistivity above 10¹² ohm — insulating (Polymaker Fiberon, ANSI/ESD S11.11)[1]Surface resistivity above 10¹² ohm — insulating (Polymaker Fiberon, ANSI/ESD S11.11)[3]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[23]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[23]
VOC emission rateµg/minUp to 180 caprolactam, the dominant VOC from nylon and the largest single-VOC rate in the study[23]Up to 180 caprolactam, the dominant VOC from nylon and the largest single-VOC rate in the study[23]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min≈2 × 10⁸ median for nylon — low for particles despite the highest VOC mass measured[23]≈2 × 10⁸ median for nylon — low for particles despite the highest VOC mass measured[23]
Hazardous species emittedCaprolactam, at up to 180 µg/min from nylon filament[23]Caprolactam, at up to 180 µg/min from nylon filament[23]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[23]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[23]
Dust & fibre handling hazardFibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[17]Glass fibre is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[3]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands poorly — gums rather than powders[14]Sands poorly — gums rather than powders[14]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds polyamide[14]Cyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds polyamide[14]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[14]No practical vapour smoothing[14]
Dimensional accuracy & detailPolymaker's own conditioning test found PA12-CF10 was the only nylon that did not grow past its original size after moisture conditioning[11]Not documented
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inFormic acid, phenol, m-cresol and hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve the matrix at 23 °C, leaving the fibre; laboratory reagents.[24]Formic acid, phenol, m-cresol and hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve the matrix at 23 °C, leaving the fibre; laboratory reagents.[24]
Softened or crazed byZinc chloride solutions stress-crack the nylon matrix, alcoholic calcium chloride dissolves it, mineral acids attack it.[24]Zinc chloride solutions stress-crack the nylon matrix, alcoholic calcium chloride dissolves it, mineral acids attack it.[24]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone — nylon's only solvents (formic acid, phenol, HFIP) degrade the part, and the fibre blocks surface flow anyway.[24]None — nylon's only solvents (formic acid, phenol, HFIP) degrade the part, and the fibre blocks surface flow anyway.[24]

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 PA12-CF10 Technical Data Sheet V1.1 Polymaker · 2025-02 · tds
  2. CarbonX CF PA12 Technical Data Sheet v1 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Fiberon PA6-GF25 Technical Data Sheet V1.1 Polymaker · 2024-12 · tds
  4. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PA6-GF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  5. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. IEMAI 3D CF-PA12 3D Printing Filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. SUNLU Nylon-6 Glass Fiber (PA6-GF) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg — product page SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. YXPOLYER PA12 CF 500 g — product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. YXPOLYER PA6-GF Black 1 kg — product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Moisture Conditioning — effect on printed nylon properties Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  12. Extrudr Product Catalogue (DURAPRO PA12 data block) Extrudr · 2025-03 · tds
  13. PA (Nylon) — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  14. Nylon — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  15. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Fiberon PA6-CF20 Technical Data Sheet V1.1 Polymaker · 2024-12 · tds
  18. PolyMide CoPA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 (dry and wet status blocks) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  19. FDM Nylon 12CF — Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2025-09 · tds
  20. FDM PA6/66-GF30-FR — Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2026-07 · tds
  21. TECAMID 66 GF30 black (PA66-GF30) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  22. TECACOMP PA66 CF30 black — injection-moulding compound Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  23. 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
  24. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · tds