3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PC-GF vs PETG-CF

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

Glass-fibre PC (PC-GF) guideCarbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PC-GF comparisonsMore PETG-CF comparisons
PC-GF vs PETG-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyGlass-fibre PC (PC-GF)PCCarbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF)PETG
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$71.27/kg median; $71.27–$71.27/kg across 1 dated product listings$29.99/kg median; $16.00–$74.22/kg across 11 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPolycarbonate reinforced with 30 wt% short glass fibre[1]PETG reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.17 (measured on a 100 % infill printed part, ISO 1183-A)[1]1.25 (Bambu Lab) to 1.34 (3DXTech), ISO 1183; Prusament 1.27[2][4][3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 71[5]1 kg-equivalent spools span 16–74; the middle of the market is about 29[2][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg71 — BASF Ultrafuse PC GF30 at igo3d is the only priced listing found; Owens Corning sells XSTRAND GF30-PC in 500 g and 1 kg[5][1]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[13][2][14][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands — neither Polymaker's nor 3DXTech's polycarbonate range contains a glass-fibre grade, but BASF Forward AM and Owens Corning both sell one through European retail[5][1][15][14]Stocked by most mainstream brands[2][14][6][13]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm at +/- 0.05 mm; 500 g and 1 kg net spools[1]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75 and 1 kg spools[14][2]
Typical applicationsFunctional prototyping for mechanical engineering, electronics and automotive[1]Stiff functional parts and fixtures where PETG's toughness is traded for rigidity and a matte finish[2][3]
Diameter tolerance± mm+/- 0.05 (Owens Corning XSTRAND)[1]±0.02 (Prusament)[3]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C280-330 (Owens Corning XSTRAND GF30-PC)[1]240–270 (Bambu Lab); 265 ± 10 (Prusament)[2][3]
Bed temperature°C80-110 (Owens Corning XSTRAND GF30-PC)[1]65–75 (Bambu Lab); 90 ± 10 (Prusament)[2][3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive) — as for unfilled PC[16][17]Open frame fine; draught shield helps — Bambu Lab specifies a 35–50 °C chamber[2]
Recommended chamber temperature°CNot documented35–50 (Bambu Lab)[2]
Part cooling fanNot documented0–60 % (Bambu Lab); 50 % (Prusament)[2][3]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPerforated plate, DimaFix or Magigoo PC glue (Owens Corning)[1]Textured PEI or engineering plate with glue (Bambu Lab)[2]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented11.5 on My Tech Fun's Bambu Lab PETG-CF profile[18]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Not documentedNeeds the right surface or a thin adhesive[2]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Not documentedSlight — the fibre reduces stringing against unfilled PETG[2][19]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Not documentedIntermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[2]
Extruder requirementOwens Corning specifies a nozzle above 0.4 mm and hardened steel nozzles and drive wheels[1]Not documented
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required — Owens Corning states glass reinforcement shortens brass nozzle and drive-wheel life[1]Hardened steel required[2]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — 30 wt% glass fibre[1]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[2]
Nozzle clog risk1–5High — jams from moisture, heat creep or particles; PC already absorbs water from the air and Prusa lists glass-filled composites as a higher clogging risk[20][21]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[22][20]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Not documentedSlightly sensitive[19]
Hotend requirementNot documentedHardened steel nozzle; no high-temperature hot-end needed[2][19]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Negligible (<0.1 % EMC) — Owens Corning measures below 0.1 % at 23 °C and 50 % RH (ISO 62)[1]Low — 0.30 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[2]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Below 0.1 at 23 °C and 50 % RH, and below 0.1 at saturation (ISO 62)[1]0.30 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); Prusa measures 0.10 after 7 days at 22 % RH[2][3]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented65 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[2]
Symptoms when wetNot documentedBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[23]
Effect of moisture on strengthNo dry-versus-conditioned figures are published. Polymaker calls PC highly hygroscopic; absorbed water flashes to steam and shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[24][23]No dry-versus-conditioned figures published; Bambu Lab states PETG-CF must be properly dried before printing and stored dry after use[2][23]
Storage requirementNot documentedSealed with desiccant; Bambu Lab says store dry after use[2][23]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa65 at break (printed, ISO 527 at 1 mm/min)[1]35 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) and 47 ± 2 at yield (Prusament) printed XY, ISO 527; 56 at break for 3DXTech[2][3][4]
Young's modulusMPa5400 (printed, ISO 527 at 1 mm/min)[1]2460 ± 230 (Bambu Lab) and 1700 (Prusament) printed XY, ISO 527[2][3]
Elongation at break%2.5 at break (printed, ISO 527 at 1 mm/min)[1]4.3 at yield (Prusament, printed XY, ISO 527); 3 at break for 3DXTech[3][4]
Flexural strengthMPa113 at yield (printed, ISO 178 at 2 mm/min)[1]68 ± 3 printed horizontal, ISO 178 (Prusament)[3]
Flexural modulusMPa5500 (printed, ISO 178 at 2 mm/min)[1]2300 printed horizontal, 3100 printed vertical, ISO 178 (Prusament)[3]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 29 ± 6 printed horizontal and 43 ± 8 printed vertical (Prusament, ISO 179-1); Izod 4.91 kJ/m² on My Tech Fun bars[3][18]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPaNot documented29 ± 4 printed Z (Bambu Lab, ISO 527); 18 ± 3 by Prusa's interlayer adhesion test; 10.7 on My Tech Fun bars[2][3][18]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning; 2.5 % elongation at break[1]Brittle — snaps with little warning[4]
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 glass-fibre grade[25]77 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method)[3]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Excellent — holds load for years. Room-temperature tensile creep of moulded unfilled PC ran unbroken at 41 MPa until the test was stopped, and 30 wt% glass raises the tensile modulus from about 2.3 to 5.4 GPa[26][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[18]
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[27]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[2]
Z strength as % of XY%Not documented83 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile)[2]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°CNot documented74 (Bambu Lab) and 96 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[2][3]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C137 (printed, ISO 75 Method A at 1.8 MPa)[1]68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[2][3]
Glass transition (Tg)°C145 (DSC, ISO 11357)[1]68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (3DXTech), DSC[2][4]
Melting point / Vicat°C270 stated as melting point (ISO 11357) — unusual for an amorphous polymer, but this is the published figure[1]225 melting (Bambu Lab, DSC) — the carbon fibre lets the PET fraction crystallise[2]
Continuous service temperature°CNot documented77 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature, against 61 for Bambu Lab PETG Basic[18]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·K26.2 in XY and 77.4 in Z (printed, ISO 11359-2) — a threefold anisotropy, and the lowest in-plane expansion of any polycarbonate here[1]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94UL 94 V-0 verified (Owens Corning)[1]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[2]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Good — years with some colour shift. Owens Corning lists UV resistance as a product benefit but publishes no exposure data[1]Moderate — a season or two; the carbon fibre does not add UV stabilisation[28]
Chemical resistanceNot documentedWithstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure, as for unfilled PETG[28]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Excellent — essentially unaffected; below 0.1 % water at saturation (ISO 62)[1]Not documented
Food contactNot documentedNot certified for food contact[28]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot documentedNot biodegradable[28]
RecyclabilityNot documentedFibre-filled PETG is not accepted in household plastic collection[28]
Electrical & ESD propertiesElectrically insulating (Owens Corning)[1]Surface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — carbon fibre at this loading is not static-dissipative (3DXTech)[4]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[29]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[29]
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[29]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[29][17]Open a window / occasional ventilation[29]
Dust & fibre handling hazardOwens Corning warns that the glass reinforcement is abrasive when melted and advises sufficient ventilation and avoiding extrusion fumes[1]Carbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[4]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningNot documentedSands to a matte finish more readily than unfilled PETG[19]
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds it[19]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNot documentedNo practical vapour smoothing[19]
Support material pairingNot documentedSupport for PLA or its own material (Bambu Lab)[2]
Dimensional accuracy & detailHigh dimensional stability is the headline benefit; the 26.2 um/m*K in-plane CTE is a third of unfilled PC's[1]Matte finish hides layer lines; stringing is reduced against unfilled PETG[2]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDichloromethane and chloroform dissolve the matrix and leave the fibre; DMF and dioxane do the same (Covestro).[30]No common workshop solvent; dichloromethane — a carcinogen — dissolves the matrix surface, 1,2-dichloroethane destroys it in a week.[31][32]
Softened or crazed byMethanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell it.[30]Acetone (+16 % weight over 1 year at 23 °C), ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften it; methanol crazes it.[31]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane cement welds the resin, but the fibre keeps the joint from flowing closed. Controlled carcinogen.[33]Dichloromethane reaches only the resin, so the fibre is left standing proud of the surface. Controlled carcinogen.[32]

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. XSTRAND GF30-PC Data Sheet Owens Corning · 2019-04 · tds
  2. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PETG-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Prusament PETG Carbon Fiber Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  4. CarbonX Carbon Fiber PETG Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  5. BASF Ultrafuse PC GF30 Black 2.85 mm 1.000 g igo3d · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. SUNLU PETG-CF (PETG Carbon Fiber) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Fibreheart PETG-CF Pro Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. IEMAI CF-PETG 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Reli3D Carbon Fiber PETG Filament 1.75 mm, 1 kg Reli3D (Amazon US) · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. PET-G CF15 Sakata 3D Filaments · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Filament PM CFJet technical data sheet (TDS CFJet ENG.pdf) Filament PM (Plasty Mladec) · 2026-08 · tds
  13. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. PolyLite PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  17. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  18. BambuLab PETG Basic vs Translucent vs PETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  19. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  21. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  22. CARBONX PETG+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  23. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  24. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  25. TECANAT natural (PC) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  26. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  27. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  28. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  29. 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
  30. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  31. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  32. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  33. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds