3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PC-ESD vs PETG-GF

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

ESD-safe PC guideGlass-fibre polyester (PETG-GF / PET-GF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PC-ESD comparisonsMore PETG-GF comparisons
PC-ESD vs PETG-GF — documented properties and sources
PropertyESD-safe PCPCGlass-fibre polyester (PETG-GF / PET-GF)PETG
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$180.00/kg median; $180.00–$180.00/kg across 1 dated product listings$27.38/kg median; $18.99–$29.99/kg across 3 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPolycarbonate compounded with a conductive filler for static-dissipative parts[1]Glass-fibre reinforced polyester. Polymaker's Fiberon PET-GF15 uses a PET rather than a PETG matrix and carries 15 wt% glass fibre[2]
Densityg/cm³1.24 (ISO 1183, 3DXTech); Stratasys specific gravity 1.195 (ASTM D792)[1][3]1.43 (Fiberon PET-GF15, ISO 1183)[2]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools cluster near 180[4]1 kg spools cluster near 25[5][6]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg180 at 3DXTech's 750 g pricing — the most expensive material in this group[4]19–30 across brands; ELEGOO 19, Polymaker Fiberon 30[5][6]
Market availability1–5Special order, 1–2 makers worldwide[4]Niche, a handful of specialist brands[5][6]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g spools plus Stratasys-compatible cartridges[4]1.75 mm; 0.5 and 1 kg spools[6]
Typical applicationsElectronics fixtures and trays that need PC heat resistance and static dissipation together[1]Stiff, dimensionally stable fixtures; the Fiberon grade is designed to be annealed for heat resistance[2]
Printing Parameters
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive)[7][8]Not documented
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI with a glue stick or a commercial adhesive[9]Textured PEI, satin or powder-coated sheets; on smooth PEI a glue stick acts as a release agent[10][11]
Warping tendency1–5Severe — heated chamber needed[7][8]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[9][12]Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive — the problem is releasing the part, not sticking it[10][11]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker flags stringing as a common PC problem[12]Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker names stringing as PETG's common quirk[11]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[7]Not documented
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[1]Hardened steel required[2]
Abrasiveness1–5Moderately abrasive — conductive carbon filler[1]Highly abrasive — standard GF composite[2]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns but a 120 °C pre-dry[13]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa lists higher risk of nozzle clogging for glass-filled composites[14]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[9]Slightly sensitive[15]
Hotend requirementAll-metal hot end required (Simplify3D)[9]No special hot-end required[15]
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 pre-dry[16][17][13]Moderate (0.3–0.8 %) — the PETG matrix reaches 0.40 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH; no glass-filled grade publishes its own figure[10]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[18]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[18]
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[12][18]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[18]
Storage requirementAirtight containers with desiccant to prevent reabsorption[12]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker groups PETG with the highly hygroscopic materials[18][11]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa68 at break (printed XY, ISO 527, 3DXTech) — above the 58 of 3DXTech's unfilled ezPC; Stratasys prints 47.6-49.4 at yield in XZ (ASTM D638)[1][19][3]59.9 ± 0.8 printed XY, ISO 527 (Fiberon PET-GF15)[2]
Young's modulusMPa2300 (printed XY, ISO 527); Stratasys prints 1960 in XZ and 1810-1910 in ZX (ASTM D638)[1][3]4144 ± 133 printed XY, ISO 527 (Fiberon PET-GF15)[2]
Elongation at break%6 at break (printed XY, ISO 527), against 14 for the unfilled grade[1][19]4.0 ± 0.5 printed XY, ISO 527 (Fiberon PET-GF15)[2]
Flexural strengthMPa95 (printed XY, ISO 178); Stratasys prints 82.6-83.2 at break in XZ against 46.3-49.5 in ZX (ASTM D790)[1][3]104.2 ± 2.4 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-GF15)[2]
Flexural modulusMPa2310 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]3705 ± 85 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-GF15)[2]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented8.7 ± 0.6 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Fiberon PET-GF15)[2]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 27.2 ± 2.0 printed XY (Fiberon PET-GF15, ISO 179)[2]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa32.5-37.9 at yield printed ZX (Stratasys, ASTM D638 on the Fortus 450mc and F900)[3]48.2 ± 0.3 printed Z, ISO 527 (Fiberon PET-GF15)[2]
Brittleness1–5Moderate[1]Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation 4.0 % in XY and 2.6 % in Z[2]
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 an ESD grade[20]Not documented
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Excellent — holds load for years. Moulded unfilled PC was still running unbroken under 41 MPa tensile creep at room temperature when the test was stopped, and the conductive filler leaves the glass transition unchanged at 142 °C, so the creep mechanism is polycarbonate's[21][3]Below average — no GF-grade creep test; the CF grades sagged to 14.8–16.7 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg against 17.1–20.4 mm unfilled[22][23][24]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Not documentedBelow average — no GF-grade S-N curve; elongation at break falls to 4.0 % in XY against 5.2–9.3 % unfilled[2][25]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[2]
Z strength as % of XY%68-77 (Stratasys ZX against XZ tensile yield, ASTM D638)[3]80 (Fiberon PET-GF15, printed Z against XY tensile)[2]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C143-146 printed in XY, XZ and ZX (Stratasys, ASTM D648 Method B at 66 psi); 135 moulded[3]81.6 as printed, 133.7 after annealing (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa)[2]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C140-144 printed in XY, XZ and ZX (Stratasys, ASTM D648 Method B at 264 psi); 124 moulded[3]71.8 as printed, 87.3 after annealing (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa)[2]
Glass transition (Tg)°C143 (DSC, 3DXTech) and 142 (Stratasys, ASTM D7426)[1][3]59.5 (DSC)[2]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documented231.6 melting (DSC); Vicat 232.6 (ISO 306)[2]
Continuous service temperature°C113 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament PC Blend[17]Not documented
Annealing responseNot documentedAnnealing lifts HDT at 0.45 MPa from 81.6 to 133.7 °C[2]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·K68.4 on extruded unfilled PC stock (ASTM D696; source states 3.8e-5 in/in/°F); no figure is published for a conductive-filled grade[20]20 along the print bead and 63–74 in the build direction at 30 °C (30 wt% GF, large-format printed, TMA)[26]
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedUL 94 HB at 1.5 mm (Fiberon PET-GF15)[2]
Environment & Chemical
Chemical resistanceWithstands oils, solvents and fuels; Polymaker rates it good against weak acids[12]Withstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure[11]
Food contactBisphenol-A polycarbonate is not offered as food-contact filament[12]Not certified for food contact as filament[11]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[12]Not biodegradable[11]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[12]Not accepted in household plastic collection[11]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance 10⁷–10⁹ ohm/sq, the static-dissipative band (ASTM D257), against above 10¹³ for unfilled ezPC[1][19]Surface resistivity above 10¹² ohm — insulating (Fiberon PET-GF15, ANSI/ESD S11.11)[2]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[27]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[27]
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[27]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[27][7]Open a window / occasional ventilation[27]
Dust & fibre handling hazardConductive carbon filler is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[1]Glass fibre is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[2]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands and machines well; the toughness means it cuts rather than chips[9]Sands poorly — the material is tough and gums rather than powders[15]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; dichloromethane solvent-welds PC but is a laboratory reagent[9]Cyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds PETG cleanly[15]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[9]No practical vapour smoothing[15]
Support material pairingPrints its own supports; 3DXTech sells a dedicated PC break-away support[9]Prints its own supports; Polymaker rates PolyDissolve S1 for PETG[15]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDichloromethane, chloroform, DMF and dioxane dissolve it outright (Covestro, 6 days at 23 °C). Laboratory reagents.[28]No common workshop solvent; dichloromethane — a carcinogen — dissolves the matrix surface, 1,2-dichloroethane destroys it in a week.[29][30]
Softened or crazed byMethanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell it.[28]Acetone (+16 % weight over 1 year at 23 °C), ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften it; methanol crazes it.[29]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane cement welds PC — 16.5 MPa lap shear at one week (IPS Weld-On 3). A controlled carcinogen.[31]Dichloromethane reaches only the resin, so the fibre is left standing proud of the surface. Controlled carcinogen.[30]

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. 3DXSTAT ESD-PC Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  2. Fiberon PET-GF15 Technical Data Sheet V1.0 Polymaker · 2026-08 · tds
  3. PC-ESD — FDM Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2024-10 · tds
  4. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  5. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  8. PolyLite PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  9. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  10. Prusament PETG Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  11. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  12. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  13. 3DXSTAT ESD-PC — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  14. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  15. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V2.0 — PC Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  17. Prusament PC Blend Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  18. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. ezPC Polycarbonate Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  20. TECANAT natural (PC) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  21. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  22. Extrudr PETG vs PCTG vs XPETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  23. Prusament PETG-CF vs PETG V0 vs PETG — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  24. BambuLab PETG Basic vs Translucent vs PETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  25. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  26. Effects of Fiber Orientation on the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Fiber-Filled Polymer Systems in Large Format Polymer Extrusion-Based Additive Manufacturing Materials 15(8):2764 · 2022-04 · paper
  27. 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
  28. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  29. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  30. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  31. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds