3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PC-FR vs PETG-CF

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

Flame-retardant PC (PC-FR) guideCarbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PC-FR comparisonsMore PETG-CF comparisons
PC-FR vs PETG-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyFlame-retardant PC (PC-FR)PCCarbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF)PETG
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$87.50/kg median; $54.99–$224.00/kg across 4 dated product listings$29.99/kg median; $16.00–$74.22/kg across 11 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryFlame-retardant polycarbonate. Polymaker builds its grade on Covestro's Makrolon family and rates it UL 94 V-0[1][2]PETG reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.18 (Bambu Lab) and 1.2 (Polymaker), ISO 1183[2][1]1.25 (Bambu Lab) to 1.34 (3DXTech), ISO 1183; Prusament 1.27[3][5][4]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 55–224; the two mainstream 1 kg grades are 55 and the industrial grades 120–224[2][6]1 kg-equivalent spools span 16–74; the middle of the market is about 29[3][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg55–224 across brands; Bambu Lab and Polymaker 55, 3DXTech FR PC/ABS 120, 3DXLABS FR-PC 224[2][6][14]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[15][3][14][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[2][6][14]Stocked by most mainstream brands[3][14][7][15]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 0.75 and 1 kg spools[6][14][2]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75 and 1 kg spools[14][3]
Typical applicationsElectrical enclosures, transport interiors and battery housings that must meet a flammability rating[1][2]Stiff functional parts and fixtures where PETG's toughness is traded for rigidity and a matte finish[3][4]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.03 (Bambu Lab PC FR)[2]±0.02 (Prusament)[4]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C260–280 (Bambu Lab); 250–270 (Polymaker)[2][1]240–270 (Bambu Lab); 265 ± 10 (Prusament)[3][4]
Bed temperature°C90–110 (Bambu Lab); 90–105 (Polymaker)[2][1]65–75 (Bambu Lab); 90 ± 10 (Prusament)[3][4]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive) — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber, Polymaker 70–100 °C[2][1]Open frame fine; draught shield helps — Bambu Lab specifies a 35–50 °C chamber[3]
Recommended chamber temperature°C45–60 (Bambu Lab); 70–100 (Polymaker)[2][1]35–50 (Bambu Lab)[3]
Part cooling fan0–60 % (Bambu Lab)[2]0–60 % (Bambu Lab); 50 % (Prusament)[3][4]
Bed surface & adhesion aidSmooth or textured PEI plate (Bambu Lab)[2]Textured PEI or engineering plate with glue (Bambu Lab)[3]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s24 at Bambu Lab's 300 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[2][16]11.5 on My Tech Fun's Bambu Lab PETG-CF profile[17]
Warping tendency1–5Severe — heated chamber needed[1][18]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[19][20]Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive[3]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker flags stringing as a common PC problem[20]Slight — the fibre reduces stringing against unfilled PETG[3][21]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[2][18]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[3]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[18]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 6 h pre-dry at 80 °C[22]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[23][24]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[19]Slightly sensitive[21]
Hotend requirementAll-metal hot end required (Simplify3D)[19]Hardened steel nozzle; no high-temperature hot-end needed[3][21]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Low (0.1–0.3 %) — 0.12 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab), half that of unfilled Bambu Lab PC[2][25]Low — 0.30 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[3]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.12 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[2]0.30 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[26]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[26]
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[20][26]No dry-versus-conditioned figures published; Bambu Lab states PETG-CF must be properly dried before printing and stored dry after use[3][26]
Storage requirementAirtight containers with desiccant to prevent reabsorption[20]Sealed with desiccant; Bambu Lab says store dry after use[3][26]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa60 ± 4 (Bambu Lab) and 67 ± 4.5 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527[2][1]35 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) and 47 ± 2 at yield (Prusament) printed XY, ISO 527; 56 at break for 3DXTech[3][4][5]
Young's modulusMPa1670 ± 40 (Bambu Lab) and 2634 ± 182 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527[2][1]2460 ± 230 (Bambu Lab) and 1700 (Prusament) printed XY, ISO 527[3][4]
Elongation at break%2.4 ± 0.3 (Bambu Lab) and 3.49 ± 0.7 (Polymaker) at break, printed XY, ISO 527 — the retardant roughly halves unfilled PC's elongation[2][1][27]4.3 at yield (Prusament, printed XY, ISO 527); 3 at break for 3DXTech[4][5]
Flexural strengthMPa96.6 ± 1.3 printed XY, ISO 178 (Polymaker)[1]68 ± 3 printed horizontal, ISO 178 (Prusament)[4]
Flexural modulusMPa2518 ± 53 printed XY, ISO 178 (Polymaker)[1]2300 printed horizontal, 3100 printed vertical, ISO 178 (Prusament)[4]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²11.7 ± 1.6 printed XY, ISO 179, notched (Polymaker)[1]Not documented
Other impact dataNotched Charpy 7.5 ± 1.6 kJ/m² at −30 °C printed XY (Polymaker, ISO 179-1/1eA)[1]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][17]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa21 ± 3 (Bambu Lab) and 46 ± 4.8 (Polymaker) printed Z, ISO 527[2][1]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][17]
Brittleness1–5Moderate[2][1]Brittle — snaps with little warning[5]
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 flame-retardant filament[28]77 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method)[4]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Good. Moulded unfilled PC sustained 41 MPa tensile creep at room temperature without breaking, but the retardant package drops the glass transition to 115 °C in Polymaker's grade, so the unfilled rating is not carried over in full[29][1]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[17]
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[30]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[3]
Z strength as % of XY%35 (Bambu Lab) to 69 (Polymaker), printed[2][1]83 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile)[3]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C110 (Polymaker) and 113 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[1][2]74 (Bambu Lab) and 96 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[3][4]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C107 (Polymaker) and 108 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[1][2]68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[3][4]
Glass transition (Tg)°C115 (Polymaker) and 145 (Bambu Lab), DSC[1][2]68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (3DXTech), DSC[3][5]
Melting point / Vicat°CAmorphous — no melting point; Vicat 114 (Bambu Lab, ISO 306)[2]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[31]77 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature, against 61 for Bambu Lab PETG Basic[17]
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 flame-retardant grade[28]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94UL 94 V-0 (Polymaker PolyMax PC-FR); 3DXTech rates its FR PC/ABS V-0 at 1.5 mm on the base resin[1][32]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[3]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Degrades within weeks outdoors unless stabilised[20]Moderate — a season or two; the carbon fibre does not add UV stabilisation[33]
Chemical resistanceWithstands oils, solvents and fuels; Polymaker rates it good against weak acids[20]Withstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure, as for unfilled PETG[33]
Food contactBisphenol-A polycarbonate is not offered as food-contact filament[20]Not certified for food contact[33]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[20]Not biodegradable[33]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[20]Fibre-filled PETG is not accepted in household plastic collection[33]
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedSurface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — carbon fibre at this loading is not static-dissipative (3DXTech)[5]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[34]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[34]
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[34]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[34][18]Open a window / occasional ventilation[34]
Dust & fibre handling hazardNot documentedCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[5]
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[21]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; dichloromethane solvent-welds PC but is a laboratory reagent[19]Cyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds it[21]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[19]No practical vapour smoothing[21]
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, chloroform, DMF and dioxane dissolve it outright (Covestro, 6 days at 23 °C). Laboratory reagents.[35]No common workshop solvent; dichloromethane — a carcinogen — dissolves the matrix surface, 1,2-dichloroethane destroys it in a week.[36][37]
Softened or crazed byMethanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell it.[35]Acetone (+16 % weight over 1 year at 23 °C), ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften it; methanol crazes it.[36]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane cement welds PC — 16.5 MPa lap shear at one week (IPS Weld-On 3). A controlled carcinogen.[38]Dichloromethane reaches only the resin, so the fibre is left standing proud of the surface. Controlled carcinogen.[37]

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. PolyMax PC-FR Technical Data Sheet V5.5 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  2. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — PC FR Bambu Lab · 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. CarbonX Carbon Fiber PETG Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  6. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. SUNLU PETG-CF (PETG Carbon Fiber) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Fibreheart PETG-CF Pro Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. IEMAI CF-PETG 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Reli3D Carbon Fiber PETG Filament 1.75 mm, 1 kg Reli3D (Amazon US) · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. PET-G CF15 Sakata 3D Filaments · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Filament PM CFJet technical data sheet (TDS CFJet ENG.pdf) Filament PM (Plasty Mladec) · 2026-08 · tds
  14. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  17. BambuLab PETG Basic vs Translucent vs PETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  18. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  19. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  20. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  21. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  22. 3DXTech Firewire FR-PC/ABS product page 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  23. CARBONX PETG+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  25. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V2.0 — PC Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  26. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  27. PolyLite PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  28. TECANAT natural (PC) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  29. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  30. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  31. Prusament PC Blend Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  32. Firewire Flame Retardant PC/ABS Technical Data Sheet Rev 3.0 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  33. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  34. 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
  35. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  36. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  37. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  38. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds