3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PET-CF vs rPLA

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

Carbon-fibre PET (PET-CF) guideRecycled PLA (rPLA) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PET-CF comparisonsMore rPLA comparisons
PET-CF vs rPLA — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre PET (PET-CF)PETGRecycled PLA (rPLA)PLA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$39.99/kg median; $26.00–$49.98/kg across 4 dated product listings$20.79/kg median; $16.05–$40.64/kg across 8 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistrySemi-crystalline PET reinforced with carbon fibre — a different polymer from PETG-CF, with the glycol modifier removed so the matrix can crystallise[1][2]PLA regranulated from post-industrial PLA manufacturing waste; post-consumer feedstock is rare[3][4][5]
Densityg/cm³1.29 (Bambu Lab) and 1.34 (Fiberon PET-CF17), ISO 1183[1][2]1.24 (ISO 1183)[3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 45[1][6]1 kg spools run 20–22[7][8][9]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg26–50 across brands; ELEGOO 26 in a 5 kg pack, Bambu Lab 45, Fiberon 50[10][1][6]16–41 across brands; Fiberlogy refill 16, Filamentive 750 g 41[11][12]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[1][6][10]Available from several mainstream brands[4][5][9]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 0.5 and 1 kg spools[6][1]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75, 0.85 and 1 kg spools plus spool-less refills[13][11][4]
Typical applicationsLoad-bearing parts that must survive above PETG's 70 °C ceiling without moving to PA or PC[1][2]General-purpose printing where the feedstock's recycled content matters more than an exact colour match[4][5]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented±0.03 guaranteed by Prusa Research today; the 2021 datasheet specified ±0.05, against ±0.02 for virgin Prusament PLA[4][3][14]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C260–290 (Bambu Lab)[1]210 ± 10 (Prusament); 200 ± 15 (Filamentive)[3][5]
Bed temperature°C80–100 (Bambu Lab)[1]40–60 (Prusament); up to 60 (Filamentive)[3][5]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[1]Open frame is fine[3][15]
Recommended chamber temperature°C45–60 (Bambu Lab)[1]Not documented
Part cooling fan0–60 % (Bambu Lab)[1]100 %[3]
Bed surface & adhesion aidTextured PEI, satin or powder-coated sheets; on smooth PEI a glue stick acts as a release agent[16][17]Not documented
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s8 at Bambu Lab's 100 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer — half the speed it allows for PETG-CF[1][18]Not documented
Warping tendency1–5Not documentedNone — brim not generally needed[3]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive — the problem is releasing the part, not sticking it[16][17]Sticks to anything[19]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker names stringing as PETG's common quirk[17]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[1]Beginner — prints on any machine out of the box[3][15]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[1]Brass fine indefinitely[15]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[1]Non-abrasive[20][15]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa lists higher risk of nozzle clogging for carbon-filled composites[21]Very low[15]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[22]Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed; PLA softens below 60 °C[23]
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[22]No special hot-end required[19]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate — 0.37 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.53 % equilibrium (Fiberon)[1][2]Moderate — 0.3 % after both 24 h and 7 days at 28 °C / 37 % RH (Prusa Polymers method), against 0.19 % in 7 days for virgin Prusament PLA[3][14]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.37 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.53 equilibrium (Fiberon PET-CF17)[1][2]0.3 after 24 h and 7 days at 28 °C / 37 % RH (Prusa Polymers method)[3]
Drying temperature & time80 °C for 8–12 h (Bambu Lab) — the longest and hottest dry in the polyester family; Fiberon specifies 100 °C for 10 h[1][2]Not documented
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[24]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[24]
Effect of moisture on strengthBambu Lab publishes its whole mechanical table under the heading "Mechanical Properties (Dry state)" — the quoted figures apply only to dried filament[1]Polymaker rates PLA low-sensitivity — the loss shows as poor layer adhesion and brittle layers rather than a published strength figure[24]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker groups PETG with the highly hygroscopic materials[24][17]Sealed with desiccant below 20 % RH; shelf life at ambient is long[25][19]
Hydrolysis at melt temperatureThe 80–100 °C dry both suppliers mandate is far above the 55–65 °C used for PETG, consistent with a melt-hydrolysis risk in the semi-crystalline PET matrix; neither publishes a molecular-weight loss figure[1][2]Not documented
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa65.9 (Fiberon) to 74 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 527[1][2]49 printed horizontal and 55 printed vertical XZ (ISO 527-1, yield); virgin Prusament PLA gives 51 and 59 by the same method[3][14]
Young's modulusMPa4730 ± 260 (Bambu Lab) and 5481 ± 224 (Fiberon) printed XY, ISO 527[1][2]2100 printed horizontal, 2300 printed vertical XZ (ISO 527-1); virgin Prusament PLA 2300 and 2400[3][14]
Elongation at break%2.4 ± 0.5 printed XY, ISO 527 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[2]3.1 at yield printed horizontal (ISO 527-1); virgin Prusament PLA 2.9[3][14]
Flexural strengthMPa109.3 ± 2.0 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[2]82 printed horizontal, 87 printed vertical XZ (ISO 178); virgin Prusament PLA 83 and 99[3][14]
Flexural modulusMPa4744 ± 136 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[2]3100 printed horizontal (ISO 178) — the same as virgin Prusament PLA[3][14]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²5.1 ± 0.2 printed XY, ISO 179 notched (Fiberon PET-CF17); unnotched 25.1 ± 2.8[2]Not documented
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched 14.0 printed horizontal (ISO 179-1); virgin Prusament PLA 13[3][14]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa27.9 (Fiberon) and 35 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) printed Z, ISO 527[1][2]21 ± 2 (Prusa Polymers interlayer adhesion test); virgin Prusament PLA 17 ± 3 by the same test[3][14]
Brittleness1–5Very brittle — elongation at break 2.4 % in XY and 0.8 % in Z[2]Brittle — snaps with little warning[23][20]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documented80 Shore D (Prusa Polymers in-house method); virgin Prusament PLA 81[3][14]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Good — no creep test found; annealed PET-CF holds a 105 °C HDT at 1.8 MPa and a 4730–5481 MPa modulus against 1500–2311 for PETG[2][1]Poor — no recycled-PLA creep data published; virgin PLA sagged from 12 to 18.7–20.3 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[26][27]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Below average — no S-N curve; elongation at break is 2.4 % in XY and 0.8 % in Z, against 5.2–9.3 % for unfilled PETG[2]Poor — no grade-specific S-N curve; plain printed PLA ran 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength (R = 0.2)[28][23]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[20]
Z strength as % of XY%42 (Fiberon) to 47 (Bambu Lab), printed[1][2]Not documented
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C147.5 (Fiberon) and 205 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[1][2]55 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa) — the same as virgin Prusament PLA[3][14]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C105 (Fiberon) and 182 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[1][2]53 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa); virgin Prusament PLA 55[3][14]
Glass transition (Tg)°C75 (Bambu Lab) and 79.3 (Fiberon), DSC[1][2]Not documented
Melting point / Vicat°C241.3 (Fiberon) and 250 (Bambu Lab) melting, DSC; Vicat 226–238[1][2]Not documented
Continuous service temperature°CNot documented55 (Filamentive states heat resistance up to 55 °C)[5]
Annealing responseThe PET matrix crystallises on annealing, which is what separates this grade from PETG-CF[2][1]Not documented
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·KNot documented96–99 for plain printed PLA (fibre Bragg grating, 25–50 °C); no grade-specific measurement published[29]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for standard grades[30]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published by the major brands[25][31]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Not documentedDegrades within weeks outdoors[23][32]
Chemical resistanceWithstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure[17]Good against weak acids, oils and grease; poor against strong acids and alkalis; dissolved by chloroform, THF and hot benzene[31][23]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedGood — insoluble in water[25]
Food contactNot certified for food contact as filament[17]Filamentive certifies its rPLA to EN 71-3 and lists it food safe; printed layer grooves still harbour bacteria[5][23]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[17]Industrially compostable only — needs sustained 55 °C; not home compostable[5]
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[17]The feedstock itself; Filamentive uses 50 % post-industrial content and runs a PLA take-back scheme[5][12]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistivity above 10¹² ohm — insulating (Fiberon PET-CF17, ANSI/ESD S11.11)[2]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[33]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[33]
Hazardous species emittedNot documentedPrusament rPLA Corn Pigment uses organic waste pigments such as red algae, which give a noticeable scent while printing[4]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[33][1]None needed in a normal room[33]
Dust & fibre handling hazardCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[2]Not documented
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands poorly — the material is tough and gums rather than powders[22]Wet sanding — dry sanding heats the surface by friction and smears it[32][23]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds PETG cleanly[22]Superglue for most joints; acetone works on some grades depending on additives and colour[4]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[22]No practical vapour smoothing — only chloroform, hot benzene or THF, which are laboratory-only[23]
Support material pairingPrints its own supports; Polymaker rates PolyDissolve S1 for PETG[22]Not documented
Dimensional accuracy & detailBambu Lab markets it on low warping and shrinkage relative to other high-temperature composites[1]Not documented
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inNone common; fluorinated solvents such as hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve linear polyester at 23 °C. Laboratory only.[34][35]Chloroform: 10 % w/v in 2–4 h at 23 °C, every grade and morphology; THF and DMF only at 65 °C. Laboratory reagents.[36]
Softened or crazed byEnsinger rates polyester not resistant to chloroform or dichloromethane and only conditionally resistant to acetone and MEK.[35]Acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise it but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; submersion in acetone crazes and destroys parts.[36][37]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane attacks polyester and can be brushed on, but the carbon fibre blocks any useful surface flow.[35][37]Chloroform vapour smooths and welds PLA at the cost of tensile strength; acetone does not smooth it at all.[38][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. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PET-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  2. Fiberon PET-CF17 Technical Data Sheet V1.0 Polymaker · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Prusament PLA Recycled Technical Datasheet v1.0 Prusa Polymers · 2021-12 · tds
  4. Prusament rPLA Corn Pigment 1kg — product page Prusa Research · 2026-08 · vendor
  5. Filamentive PLA (recycled) — product page Filamentive · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. 3D-Fuel ReFuel Recycled PLA 1kg 3D-Fuel · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Proto-pasta Black Recycled PLA 1kg Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Formfutura ReForm rPLA (White) 1kg Filament2Print · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Fiberlogy rPLA Refill Anthracite 850 g 3DJake International · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Filamentive PLA (rPLA) 750 g CREATE Education · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Kimya PLA-R 750 g Crea3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. Prusament PLA Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  15. Filament Material Guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Prusament PETG Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  17. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  18. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  19. PLA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Prusament PLA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  21. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  22. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  23. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  25. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PLA Basic Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  26. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  27. PolyTerra PLA vs PLA+ — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  28. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  29. Characterization of Thermal Expansion Coefficient of 3D Printing Polymeric Materials Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Materials 17(18):4668 · 2024-09 · paper
  30. Prusament PETG V0 Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  31. PolyLite PLA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  32. Prusament PLA Technical Data Sheet v1.0 Prusa Polymers · 2018-09 · 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. Resistance of Ultramid, Ultraform and Ultradur to chemicals (TI-KTU/AS-28 e) BASF · 2000-10 · tds
  35. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  36. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  37. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  38. Effect of vapour smoothing in trichloromethane on 3D printed PLA — surface, mechanical and chemical structure Pitale, Keche & Chopra, Engineering Research Express 6(4) 045579 · 2024-12 · paper