3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PC vs PPA-CF

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

Polycarbonate (PC) guidePPA-CF (carbon-fibre polyphthalamide) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PC comparisonsMore PPA-CF comparisons
PC vs PPA-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyPolycarbonate (PC)PCPPA-CF (carbon-fibre polyphthalamide)PA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$39.99/kg median; $29.99–$92.00/kg across 9 dated product listings$84.99/kg median; $21.99–$266.67/kg across 7 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryBisphenol-A polycarbonate — an amorphous engineering thermoplastic[1][2]Polyphthalamide — semi-aromatic nylon — with 10–15 wt% chopped carbon fibre; Bambu Lab lists the composition as semi-aromatic nylon plus carbon fibre, Raise3D and Siraya Tech state 15 wt%, Flashforge 10 %[3][4][5][6]
Densityg/cm³1.19 (Polymaker) to 1.22 (Prusament), ISO 1183; Bambu Lab 1.20; Stratasys specific gravity 1.20 (ASTM D792)[1][7][8][9]1.15 (Raise3D) to 1.25 (Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D), ISO 1183; Flashforge 1.21–1.23[3][4][5][10]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 40[8][11][12]1 kg-equivalent spools span 22–267; the middle of the market is about 85[13][14][15][16][17][18]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg30–92 across brands; Polymaker PolyLite 30, Bambu Lab 40, Polymaker PolyMax 52, Prusament 59, 3DXTech ezPC 64 and 3DXMAX PC 92[11][8][12][19]22–267 across brands; CHCKX 22 on Amazon, IEMAI 3D 51, Siraya Tech 57 and 85, Bambu Lab 200 at 750 g, Raise3D 209, 3DXTech CarbonX HTN+CF 267 at 750 g[13][14][15][20][16][17][18]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[8][11][19][12]Available from several mainstream brands[13][14][15][16][17]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75, 0.9, 1 and 3 kg spools[11][19][12]1.75 mm; 750 g, 1 kg, 2 kg and 2.5 kg spools[3][15][17]
Typical applicationsLight guides, lenses, under-bonnet automotive parts and impact-loaded housings that must hold shape above 110 °C[2][1]Under-bonnet automotive brackets, jigs and end-use parts that must stay stiff above the 100 °C working ceiling of PA6-CF[4][5]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.03 (Prusament PC Blend)[7]0.05 (Bambu Lab and Siraya Tech, 1.75 mm)[3][6]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C250–280 across brands; Prusament 275 ± 10, Bambu Lab 260–280, Polymaker 250–270. Polymaker's material guide gives a wider 260–310 for PC and its composites[7][8][1][2]280–310 (Bambu Lab and CHCKX); 280–320 (Siraya Tech)[3][6][18]
Bed temperature°C90–115; Prusament 110 ± 10, Bambu Lab 90–110, Polymaker 90–105[7][8][1]100–120 (Bambu Lab and CHCKX); Siraya Tech runs cooler at 70–90[3][6][18]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive) — Polymaker specifies a 70–100 °C chamber, Bambu Lab 45–60 °C and rules out its P1P and A-series machines[1][8][21]Enclosure required (passive) — Bambu Lab specifies a 50–80 °C chamber and Siraya Tech requires an enclosure, while Flashforge states its LUVOCOM-based grade prints on machines with no heated chamber[3][5][15]
Recommended chamber temperature°C70–100 (Polymaker); 45–60 (Bambu Lab)[1][8]50–80 (Bambu Lab); specimens were printed at a 52 °C chamber and Bambu Lab notes 70–80 °C raises Z properties[3]
Part cooling fanOff or very low — Polymaker specifies off, Prusament 20 % within a 0–30 % range, Bambu Lab 0–60 %[1][7][8]Bambu Lab turns the part fan on; Siraya Tech runs it off[3][6]
Bed surface & adhesion aidTextured PEI with glue when needed (Polymaker); smooth or textured PEI (Bambu Lab)[1][22]Smooth or textured PEI plate with a glue stick, or a PVP glue coating[3][6]
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; Polymaker allows 50–200 mm/s and its material guide advises 30–60 for layer adhesion[8][1][2][23]8–12 mm³/s at 300–320 °C (Siraya Tech)[6]
Warping tendency1–5Severe — heated chamber needed[1][2][21]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[1][21]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed[2]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[2][21]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; a 320 °C hot end and a hardened nozzle are the entry requirements[3][6]
Extruder requirementAll-metal hotend rated to 300 °C; Polymaker advises larger nozzles and high chamber temperatures to improve bonding[2]Not documented
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[21]Hardened steel required — Siraya Tech and CHCKX specify hardened steel or better, Raise3D warns brass wears quickly[4][6][18]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[1]Highly abrasive — standard CF/GF composites and glow fills[4][6]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[2]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Siraya Tech states nozzles below 0.4 mm will clog[6][15]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[24]Not documented
Hotend requirementAll-metal hot end required (Simplify3D); Polymaker advises a hot end rated above 300 °C[24][2]Not documented
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Low — 0.25 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); Prusa measures 0.15 % after 7 days at 22 % RH. Polymaker nonetheless calls PC highly hygroscopic in service[8][7][2]High (0.8–2 %) — 1.30 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH for Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D against 2.35 % for the same makers' PA6-CF, which is the whole reason to pay for PPA[3][10][25]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.25 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.15 after 7 days at 24 °C / 22 % RH (Prusa)[8][7]1.30 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D) against 2.35 for their PA6-CF; Siraya Tech 1.37 and 1.09 by ISO 62, Raise3D 0.6 by ISO 62 Method 1, Flashforge below 0.1 at 23 °C / 24 h[3][4][5][6][26][10][25]
Drying temperature & time80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab); 75 °C for 6 h (Polymaker); 70–80 °C for 6–8 h (Polymaker material guide)[8][1][2]100–140 °C for 8–12 h (Bambu Lab, hotter is better within that range); Siraya Tech 100 °C for 4–6 h; Raise3D 80–100 °C for 6–12 h[3][4][6]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[27]Not documented
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[2][27]Not documented
Storage requirementAirtight containers with desiccant to prevent reabsorption[2]Sealed below 20 % RH with desiccant (Bambu Lab); Raise3D keeps the spool in a dry box throughout the print[3][4]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa53.4 (PolyMax) to 69.1 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 527; Bambu Lab 62 +/- 2 and Prusament 63 +/- 1 at yield; Stratasys 62.3-64.6 at yield printed XZ, ASTM D638 (its PC White table duplicates the Antero 840CN03 figures and was not used)[1][28][8][7][29][9]95–168 (printed XY, ISO 527): Siraya Tech 95, Flashforge 108–112, Siraya Tech Core 112, Raise3D 122 conditioned and annealed, Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D 168[3][4][5][6][26][10]
Young's modulusMPa2110 (Bambu Lab) to 2497 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 527; Prusament 1900, 3DXTech 2180[8][1][7][29]7100–11800 (printed XY): Flashforge 7100–8000, Raise3D and Siraya Tech 7800, Siraya Tech Core 9300, Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D 11800[3][4][5][6][26][10]
Elongation at break%3.8 (Bambu Lab) to 4.8 (PolyLite) at break, printed XY, ISO 527; 3DXTech quotes 14 at break, Prusament 5.8 at yield[8][1][29][7]1.9–5 at break (printed XY): Raise3D 1.9, Siraya Tech 2, Siraya Tech Core 2.25, Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D 3.2, Flashforge 3.5–5[3][4][5][6][26][10]
Flexural strengthMPa81.3 (PolyMax) to 108 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 178; Prusament 88 ± 1, PolyLite 106.1[28][8][7][1]145–221 (printed XY, ISO 178): Siraya Tech 145, Siraya Tech Core 178, Raise3D 190, Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D 208, Flashforge 210–221[3][4][5][6][26][10]
Flexural modulusMPa2050 (PolyMax) to 2640 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 178; Prusament 2100[28][1][7]6500–9860 (printed XY, ISO 178): Flashforge 6500–7000, Siraya Tech 6800, Raise3D 8510, Siraya Tech Core 8700, Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D 9860[3][4][5][6][26][10]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²4.1 (PolyLite) to 21.3 (PolyMax) printed XY, ISO 179, notched; Prusament 12 ± 1[1][28][7]6.5 notched Charpy XY (Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D, ISO 179); Raise3D 7.8 and Siraya Tech 11 by ISO 179 without stating notched[3][4][6][10]
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched does not break on Prusa's pendulum in either orientation (ISO 179-1); PolyMax PC retains 9.2 kJ/m2 notched at -30 °C. Stratasys PC Black gives 85.3 MPa flexural strength at break in ZX against no break in XZ (ASTM D790, printed)[7][28][9]Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D unnotched Charpy 41.7 kJ/m² XY against 4.3 in Z; Flashforge Izod 9–11 kJ/m² XY against 2.5–3 in Z[3][5][10]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa37.1-45.3 at yield printed ZX (Stratasys PC Black and Red, ASTM D638); 41.4 (PolyMax) to 56 (Bambu Lab) printed Z; Prusa's interlayer adhesion test gives 21 +/- 2[7][28][8][9]57 printed Z (Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D, ISO 527); Raise3D measures 30.2 by a custom mono-layer method[3][4][10]
Brittleness1–5Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[2][7]Brittle — snaps with little warning; 2–3 % elongation at break is typical[3][4][6]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellShore D 79 (Prusa Polymers method) and Shore D 79 on extruded PC stock (ASTM D2240); Rockwell 70 (118) — the source does not name the scales[7][30]Not documented
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Excellent — holds load for years. Room-temperature tensile creep of moulded PC was still running unbroken at 41 MPa when the experiment was stopped for time; specimens failed within the test window only at 47-52 MPa (ASTM D638)[31]Good — Flashforge cites outstanding creep resistance at high temperature and Raise3D high creep resistance, both against other nylons[4][5]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Good[7][2]Not documented
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[3]
Z strength as % of XY%59-73 (Stratasys PC Black and Red, ZX against XZ tensile yield, ASTM D638); 76 for PolyLite PC and 90 for Bambu Lab (printed Z against XY tensile)[8][1][9]34 (Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D, Z against XY tensile, ISO 527)[3][10]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C110 (PolyMax PC-FR) to 114 (PolyMax PC), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa; Bambu Lab 112, PolyLite 111, Prusament 113. Stratasys FDM PC reaches 144 printed (ASTM D648 Method B at 66 psi)[28][1][8][7][9]188–227 (ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa): Raise3D 188, Flashforge 220, Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D 227; Siraya Tech reaches 192–199 only after annealing, 84.5–97 unannealed[3][4][5][6][26][10]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C93 (Prusament) to 117 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa; PolyLite 107, PolyMax 99. Stratasys FDM PC reaches 141 printed (ASTM D648 Method B at 264 psi)[7][8][1][28][9]113–196 (ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa): Raise3D 113, Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D 196; Siraya Tech reaches 119–126 only after annealing, 82.5–84 unannealed[3][4][6][26][10]
Glass transition (Tg)°C113 (Polymaker, DSC), 142.5 (Stratasys, ASTM D7426 inflection point) and 145 (Bambu Lab, DSC); Polymaker's material guide quotes 150[1][8][2][9]80 (Siraya Tech, ASTM D3418) to 85 (Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D, DSC)[3][6][10]
Melting point / Vicat°CAmorphous — no melting point; Vicat 117–120 (Polymaker, ISO 306); decomposition above 360 °C[1][28]Melting point 231 (Raise3D) to 258 (Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D); Vicat softening 230–238 (ISO 306)[3][4][6][26][10]
Continuous service temperature°C113 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament PC Blend; extruded PC stock is rated 121 long term (converted from 250 °F)[7][30]120 (Flashforge, IEC 60216, LUVOCOM PPA-CF)[5]
Annealing response90 °C for 2 h (Polymaker)[1]Bambu Lab anneals at 120–140 °C for 6–12 h; Raise3D at 80–100 °C for 8 h and warns of up to 0.5 % Z shrinkage. On Siraya Tech's grades annealing lifts HDT at 0.45 MPa from 84.5 to 192 °C while notched Charpy falls from 11 to 6.3 kJ/m²[3][4][6]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·K51.6 in XY over -50 to 30 °C, falling to 35.8 over 30-75 °C and 11.5 over 75-130 °C; 49.2 in XZ over -50 to 120 °C (printed, ASTM E831). Extruded PC stock gives 68.4 (ASTM D696)[9][30]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating on standard PC, though V-0 grades exist[32][1]Flammable; Bambu Lab lists water, carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides as combustion products. No UL 94 rating is published for the filament grades surveyed[3]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Degrades within weeks outdoors — unstabilised PC yellows and embrittles under UV[2]Not documented
Chemical resistanceWithstands oils, solvents and fuels; Polymaker rates it good against weak acids[2]Better than general nylon against weak acids, weak alkalis, most organic solvents and most oils and greases (Bambu Lab); not resistant to strong acids or strong alkalis[3]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Good — minor absorption[8]Good — minor absorption; 1.3 % saturated moisture is roughly half what PA6-CF takes up[3][25]
Food contactBisphenol-A polycarbonate is not offered as food-contact filament[2]Not documented
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[2]Not documented
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[2]Not documented
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10¹³ ohm/sq — an electrical insulator, which Polymaker lists as a headline advantage[29][2]Flashforge's data sheet gives a surface resistance of 10³ Ω or below (IEC 60093) for its LUVOCOM-based PPA-CF — the carbon loading makes it conductive rather than merely dissipative[5]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[33]Not documented
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[33]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[33][21]Not documented
Dust & fibre handling hazardNot documentedChopped carbon fibre; dry sanding and cutting release respirable fibre-laden dust[34]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands and machines well; the toughness means it cuts rather than chips[24]Not documented
Painting & finishingOptical clarity survives printing, so transparent parts are usually left unpainted[2]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; dichloromethane solvent-welds PC but is a laboratory reagent[24]Not documented
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[24]Not documented
Support material pairingPrints its own supports; 3DXTech sells a dedicated PC break-away support[24]Bambu Lab pairs it with Support for PA/PET; Raise3D warns that PPA-CF used as its own support bonds permanently to the model once it takes up moisture, so supports must come off before annealing[3][4]
Dimensional accuracy & detailWarping is the dominant accuracy limit; light transmission 89 % on PolyLite PC (GB/T 2410)[1][2]Not documented
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDichloromethane, chloroform, DMF and dioxane dissolve it outright (Covestro, 6 days at 23 °C). Laboratory reagents.[35]Formic acid, phenol, m-cresol and hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve the matrix at 23 °C, leaving the fibre; laboratory reagents.[36]
Softened or crazed byMethanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell it.[35]Zinc chloride solutions stress-crack the nylon matrix, alcoholic calcium chloride dissolves it, mineral acids attack it.[36]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane cement welds PC — 16.5 MPa lap shear at one week (IPS Weld-On 3). A controlled carcinogen.[37]None — nylon's only solvents (formic acid, phenol, HFIP) degrade the part, and the fibre blocks surface flow anyway.[36]

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. PolyLite PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  2. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  3. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — PPA-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Raise3D Industrial PPA CF Technical Data Sheet V2.0 Raise3D · 2022-04 · tds
  5. Flashforge PPA-CF Filament Technical Data Sheet (LUVOCOM PPA-CF, 10 % carbon fibre) Flashforge · 2026-08 · tds
  6. Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA-CF Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  7. Prusament PC Blend Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  8. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V2.0 — PC Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  9. PC (Polycarbonate) — FDM Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2026-04 · tds
  10. IEMAI 3D CF-PPA Technical Data Sheet IEMAI 3D · 2025-04 · tds
  11. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. PPA-CF — Bambu Lab US Store Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. Raise3D Industrial PPA CF Filament 1.75 mm (1 kg) — product listing MatterHackers · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. Fibreheart PPA-CF Filament — product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. IEMAI 3D CF-PPA 3D Printing Filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. CARBONX HTN+CF — product page 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. CHCKX PPA-CF 3D Printing Filament Matte Black 1 kg 1.75 mm 10 % Carbon Fiber — Amazon listing Amazon.com · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  20. Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA-CF Core Filament — product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  21. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — PC FR Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  23. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  25. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PA6-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  26. Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA-CF Core Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  27. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  28. PolyMax PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  29. ezPC Polycarbonate Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  30. TECANAT natural (PC) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  31. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  32. PolyMax PC-FR Technical Data Sheet V5.5 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  33. 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
  34. PET-CF / PPA-CF / PPS-CF / PA6-CF carbon fibre filament usage guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  35. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  36. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  37. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds