3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PA6-CF vs PCTG

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

Carbon-fibre PA6 (PA6-CF) guidePCTG guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PA6-CF comparisonsMore PCTG comparisons
PA6-CF vs PCTG — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre PA6 (PA6-CF)PAPCTGPETG
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$62.48/kg median; $39.00–$133.32/kg across 6 dated product listings$34.99/kg median; $14.00–$50.67/kg across 5 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPA6 reinforced with chopped carbon fibre — Polymaker's grade is 20 wt%[1][2]Poly(cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate) glycol — a copolyester with a higher cyclohexanedimethanol content than PETG[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.09 (Bambu Lab), 1.17 (Polymaker Fiberon and 3DXTech), ISO 1183[2][1][5]1.23 (Extrudr, ASTM D792; 3DXTech, ISO 1183)[4][6]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 39–133; the middle of the market is about 80[2][7][8][9]1 kg spools cluster near 34[10][6][11]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg39–133 across brands; IEMAI 3D 39, Bambu Lab 43, YXPOLYER 45, Polymaker Fiberon 80, 3DXTech CarbonX 83, Obsidian 133[2][7][12][13][8][9]14–51 across brands; CHCKX 14 in a 10-roll bundle, Push Plastic 30, Proto-pasta 35 at 1 kg, 3DXTech 51[10][6][14]
Market availability1–5Stocked by most mainstream brands[2][7][13][12][8][9]Available from several mainstream brands[10][6][11][15]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 2 kg spools[7][13][2]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75, 1, 3 and 5 kg spools[10][11][6]
Typical applicationsLoad-bearing brackets, tooling and drone frames that must hold strength above 150 °C[2][1]Transparent covers, guards and impact-loaded parts where PETG cracks[3][4]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C260–290 (Bambu Lab); 280–300 (Polymaker Fiberon)[2][1]250–270 (Spectrum, Extrudr)[3][4]
Bed temperature°C40–50 (Polymaker Fiberon)[1]60–100 (Spectrum)[3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive) — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber, Polymaker room temperature[2][1]Open frame is fine — Spectrum and Extrudr both say a closed chamber is not necessary, Extrudr adds it helps on larger parts[3][4]
Recommended chamber temperature°C45–60 (Bambu Lab); room temperature (Polymaker Fiberon)[2][1]Not documented
Part cooling fanNot documentedUp to 100 % (Spectrum); 20–50 % (Extrudr)[3][4]
Bed surface & adhesion aidEngineering or high-temperature plate with glue (Bambu Lab)[2]Textured PEI, satin or powder-coated sheets; on smooth PEI a glue stick acts as a release agent[16][17]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s8 at Bambu Lab's 100 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer; Polymaker rates its grade to 300 mm/s[2][1][18]1.6–16 at the 20–200 mm/s Extrudr rates the material for, on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[4][18]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[2]Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive — the problem is releasing the part, not sticking it[16][17]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed[19]Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker names stringing as PETG's common quirk[17]
Shrinkage%Not documented0.2–0.5 (Extrudr, ASTM D955)[4]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Expert / industrial hardware only — enclosure, hardened nozzle, an 80 °C dry and a printer that can hold the filament dry throughout[2][1][20]Easy — minor profile tuning[3][4]
Extruder requirement0.6 mm nozzle recommended by Bambu Lab; 0.4 and 0.8 also supported[2]Not documented
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required — Polymaker measures brass nozzle life at about 9 h on PA6-CF20 and recommends hardened steel or ruby[1]Brass fine indefinitely — Extrudr explicitly states no hardened nozzle is needed[4]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite; Polymaker puts brass nozzle life at roughly 9 h[1]Non-abrasive[4]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Very high — frequent jams without careful setup; the combination of moisture and fibre is the worst case in the dataset[20][1]Low — 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns and no minimum layer height for PCTG, only a 65 °C pre-dry[21]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed[22]Slightly sensitive[23]
Hotend requirementHardened steel or ruby nozzle plus an all-metal hot end rated to 300 °C[1][2]No special hot-end required[23]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Very high (>2 %) — 2.35 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[2]Moderate (0.3–0.8 %) — the copolyester matrix reaches 0.40 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH and 3DXTech specifies a 65 °C, 4 h pre-dry[16][21]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%2.35 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[2]Not documented
Drying temperature & time80 °C for 8–12 h (Bambu Lab); 100 °C for 10 h (Polymaker Fiberon)[2][1]Not documented
Symptoms when wetPopping and cracking during extrusion, then hard-to-diagnose defects[24]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[20]
Effect of moisture on strengthPolymaker publishes dry and wet printed blocks for PA6-CF20 itself: at 5.30 % moisture tensile falls 109.3 → 54.7 MPa and modulus 8636 → 2508 MPa, while notched Charpy rises 11.0 → 35.6 kJ/m². Fibre reinforcement reduces but does not remove the effect[1][24]Polymaker groups PETG with nylon, PVA and TPU as highly hygroscopic; no dry-versus-conditioned strength figures are published for this grade and the loss shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[20]
Storage requirementSealed below 20 % RH with desiccant; often needs to stay in a dryer while printing[20]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker groups PETG with the highly hygroscopic materials[20][17]
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[1][25]Not documented
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa102 ± 7 (Bambu Lab) and 109.3 ± 2.4 (Polymaker Fiberon, dry/annealed) printed XY, ISO 527; the Fiberon grade falls to 54.7 ± 1.1 conditioned to 5.30 % moisture; 3DXTech quotes 63 at break[2][1][5]43–44 at yield and 45–46 at break (ISO 527, injection-moulded resin data from Spectrum and Extrudr); 48 on My Tech Fun printed bars[3][4][26]
Young's modulusMPa4430 ± 310 (Bambu Lab) and 8636 ± 211 (Polymaker Fiberon, dry/annealed) printed XY, ISO 527; Fiberon falls to 2508 ± 83 conditioned; 3DXTech quotes 3800[2][1][5]Not documented
Elongation at break%5.8 ± 1.6 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); 3DXTech quotes 3 at break[2][5]215–220 at break on moulded specimens (ISO 527); 4.3–4.4 at yield[3][4]
Flexural strengthMPa161.0 ± 3.9 printed XY dry, 64.9 ± 4.9 conditioned, ISO 178 (Polymaker Fiberon); 3DXTech quotes 84[1][5]Not documented
Flexural modulusMPa7038 ± 205 printed XY dry and 2286 ± 185 conditioned, ISO 178 (Polymaker Fiberon); 3DXTech quotes 3750[1][5]Not documented
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²11.0 ± 0.3 printed XY dry and 35.6 ± 1.2 conditioned, ISO 179 notched (Polymaker Fiberon)[1]93–94 notched Izod at 23 °C on moulded specimens (ISO 180); 3DXTech quotes 8 by ISO 180/A[3][4][6]
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 24.0 ± 1.0 printed XY dry and 73.0 ± 2.0 conditioned, 7.5 ± 2.7 printed Z dry (Polymaker Fiberon); Bambu Lab 40.3 ± 2.5 unnotched, 13.4 ± 1.7 notched[1][2]Izod 4.14 kJ/m² on My Tech Fun printed bars, against 3.37 for PETG on the same rig[26]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa48 ± 6 (Bambu Lab) and 54.0 ± 5.2 (Polymaker Fiberon, dry) printed Z, ISO 527; Fiberon falls to 25.5 ± 1.2 conditioned[2][1]21.6 on My Tech Fun 4×4 mm printed bars, against 32.9 for PETG[26]
Brittleness1–5Moderate[2][1]Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[3][4]
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 nylon filament[27]69 Shore D measured by My Tech Fun, against 72 for PETG[26]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Good. Ensinger rates its PA66-CF30 injection-moulding compound for exceptional performance under both static and dynamic loading with 110 °C continuous service; in a printed part the fibre restrains the matrix, but conditioning to equilibrium moisture still softens it[28][24]Below average — a 12 mm bar sagged to 19.4 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg, slightly worse than PETG's 18.2[26]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Good. Ensinger states its PA66-CF30 compound has improved fatigue strength in tension, flexure and compression against unfilled and glass-filled PA66[28]Good — 215 % elongation at break and 94 kJ/m² notched Izod on moulded specimens (Extrudr, Spectrum)[3][4]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[2]Slightly flexible in thin sections[26]
Z strength as % of XY%47 (Bambu Lab) to 49 (Polymaker Fiberon), printed[2][1]Not documented
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C186 (Bambu Lab) and 215 (Polymaker Fiberon), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[2][1]Not documented
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C164 (Bambu Lab) and 173 (Polymaker Fiberon), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[2][1]Not documented
Glass transition (Tg)°C68 (Bambu Lab) to 74.2 (Polymaker Fiberon), DSC; 3DXTech quotes 70[2][1][5]78 (3DXTech, DSC)[6]
Melting point / Vicat°C223 melting (Bambu Lab, DSC); Vicat 212 (ISO 306)[2]Amorphous — no melting point; Vicat 88 (Spectrum, Extrudr)[3][4]
Continuous service temperature°CBounded by heat deflection of 164–173 °C at 1.8 MPa; no loaded-bar service figure is published[2][1]68 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature, against 65 for PETG[26]
Annealing response100 °C for 16 h (Polymaker Fiberon)[1]Not documented
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·K94 in the XY direction and 180 in Z, measured on XY-built specimens (79 and 148 on XZ/ZX-built specimens), room temperature to 60 °C, ASTM E831. From Stratasys FDM Nylon-CF10, a blended-nylon matrix with 10 wt% carbon fibre — the closest published printed CTE for a carbon-fibre nylon[29]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[1]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for standard grades[30]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Months outdoors before embrittlement — unstabilised polyamide yellows and chalks under UV[19]Not documented
Chemical resistanceWithstands oils, fuels and alkalis[19]Withstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure[17]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Absorbs water, properties shift[24]Good — minor absorption; Spectrum describes the polymer as hydrophobic[3]
Food contactNot food-contact certified[19]Not certified for food contact as filament[17]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[19]Not biodegradable[17]
RecyclabilityFibre-filled polyamide is not accepted in household plastic collection[19]Not accepted in household plastic collection[17]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — not static-dissipative (3DXTech, ASTM D257)[5]Surface resistance above 10¹³ ohm/sq — insulating (3DXTech, ASTM D257)[6]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[31]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[31]
VOC emission rateµg/minUp to 180 caprolactam, the dominant VOC from nylon and the largest single-VOC rate in the study[31]Not documented
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min≈2 × 10⁸ median for nylon — low for particles despite the highest VOC mass measured[31]Not documented
Hazardous species emittedCaprolactam, at up to 180 µg/min from nylon filament[31]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[31]Open a window / occasional ventilation[31]
Dust & fibre handling hazardFibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[1]Not documented
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands to a matte finish; the fibre makes it cut more cleanly than unfilled nylon[22]Sands poorly — the material is tough and gums rather than powders[23]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds polyamide[22]Cyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds PETG cleanly[23]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[22]No practical vapour smoothing[23]
Support material pairingPolyDissolve S1 (Polymaker Fiberon)[1]Prints its own supports; Polymaker rates PolyDissolve S1 for PETG[23]
Dimensional accuracy & detailConditioned parts grow; Polymaker declines to publish a standard dimensional allowance because it depends on geometry and infill[24]Optical clarity is the selling point; Extrudr recommends a layer height at most 50 % of nozzle diameter[4]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inFormic acid, phenol, m-cresol and hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve the matrix at 23 °C, leaving the fibre; laboratory reagents.[32]No common workshop solvent; Eastman's CHDM copolyester data shows 1,2-dichloroethane destroying it within a week.[33]
Softened or crazed byZinc chloride solutions stress-crack the nylon matrix, alcoholic calcium chloride dissolves it, mineral acids attack it.[32]Acetone, ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften the copolyester; methanol crazes it (Eastman, 1 y at 23 °C).[33]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone — nylon's only solvents (formic acid, phenol, HFIP) degrade the part, and the fibre blocks surface flow anyway.[32]Dichloromethane brushed on is the only agent that smooths PETG — a controlled carcinogen, not workshop stock.[34]

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 PA6-CF20 Technical Data Sheet V1.1 Polymaker · 2024-12 · tds
  2. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PA6-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Spectrum Premium PCTG Technical Data Sheet Spectrum Filaments · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Extrudr PCTG technical data Extrudr · 2026-08 · tds
  5. CarbonX Carbon Fiber Nylon (Gen3) Technical Data Sheet v3.0 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  6. MAX-G PCTG Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  7. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. YXPOLYER PA6 CF-Black 1 kg — product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. IEMAI 3D CF-PA6 3D Printing Filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Push Plastic product catalogue Push Plastic · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Proto-pasta product catalogue Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. CHCKX 10KG Multicolor PCTG Filament bundle CHCKX (Amazon US) · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. Atomic Filament product catalogue Atomic Filament · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. Prusament PETG Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  17. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  18. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  19. PA (Nylon) — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  21. MAX-G PCTG — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Nylon — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  23. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Moisture Conditioning — effect on printed nylon properties Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  25. PolyMide CoPA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 (dry and wet status blocks) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  26. PCTG vs PETG comparison — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  27. TECAMID 66 GF30 black (PA66-GF30) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  28. TECACOMP PA66 CF30 black — injection-moulding compound Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  29. FDM Nylon-CF10 — Material Data Sheet (blended nylon, 10 wt% carbon fibre) Stratasys · 2026-08 · tds
  30. Prusament PETG V0 Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  31. 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
  32. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  33. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  34. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc