3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PC-ABS vs PETG-CF

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

PC/ABS blend guideCarbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PC-ABS comparisonsMore PETG-CF comparisons
PC-ABS vs PETG-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyPC/ABS blendPCCarbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF)PETG
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$45.99/kg median; $34.99–$84.00/kg across 5 dated product listings$29.99/kg median; $16.00–$74.22/kg across 11 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPolycarbonate/ABS alloy — PC stiffness and heat resistance with ABS processability[1][2]PETG reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.10 (Polymaker) and 1.24 (3DXTech FR grade), ISO 1183; Stratasys specific gravity 1.10 (ASTM D792)[1][2][5]1.25 (Bambu Lab) to 1.34 (3DXTech), ISO 1183; Prusament 1.27[3][6][4]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 50[7][8]1 kg-equivalent spools span 16–74; the middle of the market is about 29[3][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg35–84 across brands; Reli3D 35, SUNLU 46, Polymaker 50, 3DXMAX 84[7][8][16][17]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[18][3][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[7][8]Stocked by most mainstream brands[3][8][9][18]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5 and 1 kg spools[7][8]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75 and 1 kg spools[8][3]
Typical applicationsAutomotive interior and electronics housings that need PC heat resistance without PC's warping[1]Stiff functional parts and fixtures where PETG's toughness is traded for rigidity and a matte finish[3][4]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented±0.02 (Prusament)[4]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C250–270 (Polymaker)[1]240–270 (Bambu Lab); 265 ± 10 (Prusament)[3][4]
Bed temperature°C90–105 (Polymaker)[1]65–75 (Bambu Lab); 90 ± 10 (Prusament)[3][4]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive) — Polymaker specifies a 90–100 °C chamber[1]Open frame fine; draught shield helps — Bambu Lab specifies a 35–50 °C chamber[3]
Recommended chamber temperature°C90–100 (Polymaker)[1]35–50 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Part cooling fanOff (Polymaker)[1]0–60 % (Bambu Lab); 50 % (Prusament)[3][4]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI with a glue stick or a commercial adhesive[19]Textured PEI or engineering plate with glue (Bambu Lab)[3]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s20 at Polymaker's 250 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[1][20]11.5 on My Tech Fun's Bambu Lab PETG-CF profile[21]
Warping tendency1–5High — enclosure needed for reliable large parts[1][22]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[19][23]Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive[3]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker flags stringing as a common PC problem[23]Slight — the fibre reduces stringing against unfilled PETG[3][24]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[1][22]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[3]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[22]Hardened steel required[3]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[1]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[3]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns but a 120 °C pre-dry of 4 h or more[25]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[26][27]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[19]Slightly sensitive[24]
Hotend requirementAll-metal hot end required (Simplify3D)[19]Hardened steel nozzle; no high-temperature hot-end needed[3][24]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Low (0.1–0.3 %) — the PC matrix takes up 0.15–0.25 % and 3DXTech specifies a 120 °C, 4 h or more pre-dry[28][29][25]Low — 0.30 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[3]
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[3][4]
Drying temperature & time75 °C for 6 h (Polymaker)[1]65 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[3]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[30]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[30]
Effect of moisture on strengthNo dry-versus-conditioned figures are published. Polymaker calls PC highly hygroscopic and requires a 70–80 °C dry for 6–8 h; run wet, the loss shows as surface defects and poor layer adhesion[23][30]No dry-versus-conditioned figures published; Bambu Lab states PETG-CF must be properly dried before printing and stored dry after use[3][30]
Storage requirementAirtight containers with desiccant to prevent reabsorption[23]Sealed with desiccant; Bambu Lab says store dry after use[3][30]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa39.9 ± 1.0 printed XY, ISO 527 (Polymaker); 3DXTech quotes 60 at break for its FR PC/ABS[1][2]35 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) and 47 ± 2 at yield (Prusament) printed XY, ISO 527; 56 at break for 3DXTech[3][4][6]
Young's modulusMPa1835 ± 65 printed XY, ISO 527 (Polymaker); 3DXTech quotes 2250[1][2]2460 ± 230 (Bambu Lab) and 1700 (Prusament) printed XY, ISO 527[3][4]
Elongation at break%4.2 ± 0.3 printed XY, ISO 527 (Polymaker); 3DXTech quotes 10 at break[1][2]4.3 at yield (Prusament, printed XY, ISO 527); 3 at break for 3DXTech[4][6]
Flexural strengthMPa66.3 ± 0.9 printed XY, ISO 178 (Polymaker); 3DXTech quotes 85[1][2]68 ± 3 printed horizontal, ISO 178 (Prusament)[4]
Flexural modulusMPa2081 ± 106 printed XY, ISO 178 (Polymaker); 3DXTech quotes 2300[1][2]2300 printed horizontal, 3100 printed vertical, ISO 178 (Prusament)[4]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²25.8 ± 1.3 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Polymaker) — above both unfilled PC and ABS[1]Not documented
Other impact dataNotched Charpy still 13 ± 2 kJ/m² at −30 °C printed XY (Polymaker, ISO 179-1/1eA), against 1.5 in Z. Stratasys prints Izod notched at 241 J/m XZ against 34.0 J/m ZX, and unnotched 655 against 101 J/m (ASTM D256, F900 T16).[1][5]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[4][21]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa25.9-30.2 at break printed ZX (Stratasys, ASTM D638 on the F900 and Fortus 450mc); 22.9 +/- 1.2 printed Z, ISO 527 (Polymaker)[1][5]29 ± 4 printed Z (Bambu Lab, ISO 527); 18 ± 3 by Prusa's interlayer adhesion test; 10.7 on My Tech Fun bars[3][4][21]
Brittleness1–5Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[1]Brittle — snaps with little warning[6]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellRockwell 70 (118) — the source does not name the scales and Shore D 79 on extruded unfilled PC stock (ASTM D785, D2240); no figure is published for a PC/ABS filament[31]77 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method)[4]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Good. Room-temperature tensile creep of moulded PC/ABS was still running unbroken at 30 MPa when the experiment was stopped for time; specimens failed within the test window at 39-47 MPa (ASTM D638)[32]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[21]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Not documentedModerate — no CF-grade S-N curve; unfilled printed PETG ran 79 000–193 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength[33]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[3]
Z strength as % of XY%75-86 (Stratasys ZX against XZ tensile at break, ASTM D638) against 57 (Polymaker, printed Z against XY tensile)[1][5]83 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile)[3]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C112 (ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa, Polymaker); Stratasys prints 117.9 in XY and 126.1 in XZ (ASTM D648 Method B at 66 psi), against 125.0 moulded[1][5]74 (Bambu Lab) and 96 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[3][4]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C106 (ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa, Polymaker); Stratasys prints 107.5 in XY and 112.0 in XZ (ASTM D648 Method B at 264 psi), against 102.9 moulded[1][5]68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[3][4]
Glass transition (Tg)°C109 (Polymaker) and 137 (3DXTech FR grade), DSC; Stratasys measures 105.3 (ASTM D7426 inflection point)[1][2][5]68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (3DXTech), DSC[3][6]
Melting point / Vicat°CAmorphous — no melting point; Vicat 135 (Polymaker, ISO 306)[1]225 melting (Bambu Lab, DSC) — the carbon fibre lets the PET fraction crystallise[3]
Continuous service temperature°C113 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament PC Blend[29]77 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature, against 61 for Bambu Lab PETG Basic[21]
Annealing response90 °C for 2 h (Polymaker)[1]Not documented
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·K59.9 over -50 to 35 °C and 73.0 over -50 to 95 °C (printed XY, ASTM E831)[5]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedFlammable; no UL 94 rating published[3]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Degrades within weeks outdoors[23]Moderate — a season or two; the carbon fibre does not add UV stabilisation[34]
Chemical resistanceWithstands oils, solvents and fuels; Polymaker rates it good against weak acids[23]Withstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure, as for unfilled PETG[34]
Food contactBisphenol-A polycarbonate is not offered as food-contact filament[23]Not certified for food contact[34]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[23]Not biodegradable[34]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[23]Fibre-filled PETG is not accepted in household plastic collection[34]
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedSurface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — carbon fibre at this loading is not static-dissipative (3DXTech)[6]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[35]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[35]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min≈4 × 10¹⁰ median — the highest ultrafine-particle rate of the nine filaments in the chamber study, above every ABS tested[35]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[35][22]Open a window / occasional ventilation[35]
Dust & fibre handling hazardNot documentedCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[6]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands and machines well; the toughness means it cuts rather than chips[19]Sands to a matte finish more readily than unfilled PETG[24]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; dichloromethane solvent-welds PC but is a laboratory reagent[19]Cyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds it[24]
Vapour / chemical smoothingAcetone attacks the ABS phase, so surface smoothing is partial rather than full[1]No practical vapour smoothing[24]
Support material pairingPrints its own supports; 3DXTech sells a dedicated PC break-away support[19]Support for PLA or its own material (Bambu Lab)[3]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedMatte finish hides layer lines; stringing is reduced against unfilled PETG[3]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDichloromethane and chloroform dissolve the PC phase; acetone, MEK and THF dissolve the ABS phase.[36][37]No common workshop solvent; dichloromethane — a carcinogen — dissolves the matrix surface, 1,2-dichloroethane destroys it in a week.[38][39]
Softened or crazed byPetrol, esters, ether and 1 % alkali stress-crack the PC phase; aromatics and esters soften the ABS phase.[36][37]Acetone (+16 % weight over 1 year at 23 °C), ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften it; methanol crazes it.[38]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentAcetone attacks only the ABS phase, so smoothing is partial; a dichloromethane cement welds the whole section.[1][40]Dichloromethane reaches only the resin, so the fibre is left standing proud of the surface. Controlled carcinogen.[39]

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. Polymaker PC-ABS Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  2. Firewire Flame Retardant PC/ABS Technical Data Sheet Rev 3.0 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PETG-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Prusament PETG Carbon Fiber Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  5. PC-ABS — FDM Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2023-08 · tds
  6. CarbonX Carbon Fiber PETG Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  7. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. SUNLU PETG-CF (PETG Carbon Fiber) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Fibreheart PETG-CF Pro Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. IEMAI CF-PETG 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Reli3D Carbon Fiber PETG Filament 1.75 mm, 1 kg Reli3D (Amazon US) · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. PET-G CF15 Sakata 3D Filaments · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. Filament PM CFJet technical data sheet (TDS CFJet ENG.pdf) Filament PM (Plasty Mladec) · 2026-08 · tds
  16. Reli3D PC-ABS Filament, Black, 1000 g spool Reli3D (Amazon US) · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. SUNLU PC-ABS 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  21. BambuLab PETG Basic vs Translucent vs PETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  22. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  23. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  24. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  25. 3DXTech 3DXMAX ABS product page 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  26. CARBONX PETG+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  27. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  28. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V2.0 — PC Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  29. Prusament PC Blend Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  30. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  31. TECANAT natural (PC) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  32. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  33. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  34. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  35. 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
  36. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  37. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  38. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  39. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  40. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds