3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PET-CF vs PSU

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

Carbon-fibre PET (PET-CF) guidePSU guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PET-CF comparisonsMore PSU comparisons
PET-CF vs PSU — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre PET (PET-CF)PETGPSUHIGHTEMP
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$39.99/kg median; $26.00–$49.98/kg across 4 dated product listings$168.00/kg median; $168.00–$168.00/kg across 1 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]Polysulfone — the lowest-temperature and cheapest of the sulfone family[3]
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][4]1 kg-equivalent spools cluster near 250[5]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg26–50 across brands; ELEGOO 26 in a 5 kg pack, Bambu Lab 45, Fiberon 50[6][1][4]168-250 across formats; 250 g spool $42 (168/kg), 500 g $125 (250/kg) — 3DXTech is the only filament supplier found[5]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[1][4][6]Special order, 1–2 makers worldwide[5]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 0.5 and 1 kg spools[4][1]1.75 mm; 250 g and 500 g spools[5]
Typical applicationsLoad-bearing parts that must survive above PETG's 70 °C ceiling without moving to PA or PC[1][2]Transparent high-temperature housings, medical trays and hot-water fittings[3]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C260–290 (Bambu Lab)[1]Not documented
Bed temperature°C80–100 (Bambu Lab)[1]120–140 (3DXTech)[3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure recommended — Bambu Lab specifies a 45–60 °C chamber[1]Actively heated chamber required[7][8]
Recommended chamber temperature°C45–60 (Bambu Lab)[1]Not documented
Part cooling fan0–60 % (Bambu Lab)[1]Not documented
Bed surface & adhesion aidTextured PEI, satin or powder-coated sheets; on smooth PEI a glue stick acts as a release agent[9][10]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][11]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive — the problem is releasing the part, not sticking it[9][10]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker names stringing as PETG's common quirk[10]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[1]Expert / industrial hardware only[7][8]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[1]Brass fine indefinitely for unfilled grades, but brass softens near these nozzle temperatures — hardened or plated hot ends are the norm[7]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[1]Non-abrasive when unfilled[3]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Prusa lists higher risk of nozzle clogging for carbon-filled composites[12]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns but a mandatory 120 °C pre-dry before every print[13]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[14]Not documented
Hotend requirementNo special hot-end required[14]Not documented
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Moderate — 0.37 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.53 % equilibrium (Fiberon)[1][2]Not documented
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.37 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.53 equilibrium (Fiberon PET-CF17)[1][2]0.30 in 24 h on extruded stock (ASTM D570)[15]
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[16]Not documented
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]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published; 3DXTech mandates a 120 °C, 4 h pre-dry before every print because trapped water flashes to steam at these nozzle temperatures[13]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Polymaker groups PETG with the highly hygroscopic materials[16][10]Not documented
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]52 (printed XY, ISO 527, 3DXTech); 81 at break on extruded stock (ASTM D638)[3][15]
Young's modulusMPa4730 ± 260 (Bambu Lab) and 5481 ± 224 (Fiberon) printed XY, ISO 527[1][2]2100 (printed XY, ISO 527)[3]
Elongation at break%2.4 ± 0.5 printed XY, ISO 527 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[2]8 (printed XY, ISO 527) against 50 on extruded stock — nearly three times PPSU's printed 3 %[3][17][15]
Flexural strengthMPa109.3 ± 2.0 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[2]87 (printed XY, ISO 178)[3]
Flexural modulusMPa4744 ± 136 printed XY, ISO 178 (Fiberon PET-CF17)[2]2050 (printed XY, ISO 178)[3]
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 documentedIzod notched 69 J/m on extruded PSU stock, converted from 1.3 ft-lb/in (ASTM D256)[15]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa27.9 (Fiberon) and 35 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) printed Z, ISO 527[1][2]Not documented
Brittleness1–5Very brittle — elongation at break 2.4 % in XY and 0.8 % in Z[2]Moderate[3]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellNot documentedRockwell M120 on extruded PSU stock (ASTM D785)[15]
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]Good. Ensinger lists high creep resistance as a headline property of extruded PSU stock, which is rated to 173 °C heat deflection at 1.8 MPa[15]
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]Not documented
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[3]
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]172 (printed XY, ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa, 3DXTech); 181 on extruded stock, converted from 358 °F at 66 psi[3][15]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C105 (Fiberon) and 182 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[1][2]174 on extruded PSU stock, converted from 345 °F at 264 psi (ASTM D648)[15]
Glass transition (Tg)°C75 (Bambu Lab) and 79.3 (Fiberon), DSC[1][2]187 (DSC, 3DXTech) and 185 on extruded stock (ASTM D3418), against 230 for PPSU[3][17][15]
Melting point / Vicat°C241.3 (Fiberon) and 250 (Bambu Lab) melting, DSC; Vicat 226–238[1][2]Not documented
Continuous service temperature°CNot documented141 long-term service on extruded PSU stock, converted from 285 °F[15]
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 documented55.8 (extruded PSU stock, ASTM D696; source states 3.1e-5 in/in/°F)[15]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for standard grades[18]UL 94 V-0 on extruded PSU stock[15]
Environment & Chemical
Chemical resistanceWithstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure[10]Not documented
Food contactNot certified for food contact as filament[10]Not documented
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[10]Not documented
RecyclabilityNot accepted in household plastic collection[10]Not documented
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistivity above 10¹² ohm — insulating (Fiberon PET-CF17, ANSI/ESD S11.11)[2]Surface resistance above 10¹³ ohm/sq — an insulator (IEC 60093)[3]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[19]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised. None of these polymers was in the chamber study, and all are processed far above the temperatures it covered[19]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[19][1]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[19]
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[14]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds PETG cleanly[14]Not documented
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[14]Not documented
Support material pairingPrints its own supports; Polymaker rates PolyDissolve S1 for PETG[14]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.[20][21]Chlorinated hydrocarbons — dichloromethane, chloroform — dissolve polysulfone; ketones and esters attack it as well.[22][21]
Softened or crazed byEnsinger rates polyester not resistant to chloroform or dichloromethane and only conditionally resistant to acetone and MEK.[21]Acetone, MEK, ethyl acetate, benzene and toluene craze or stress-crack it; methanol and isopropanol only marginally.[21][22]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane attacks polyester and can be brushed on, but the carbon fibre blocks any useful surface flow.[21][23]Dichloromethane cement welds PSU and NMP softens residual resin. Both are laboratory reagents.[22]

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. ThermaX PSU Technical Data Sheet v3 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  5. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  6. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. Prusament PEI 1010 Technical Datasheet v1.0 Prusa Polymers · 2024-09 · tds
  8. Prusament PEI 1010 — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  9. Prusament PETG Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  10. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  11. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  12. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  13. THERMAX PSU — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  14. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  15. TECASON S natural (PSU) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  16. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. ThermaX PPSU Technical Data Sheet v3 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  18. Prusament PETG V0 Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  19. 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
  20. Resistance of Ultramid, Ultraform and Ultradur to chemicals (TI-KTU/AS-28 e) BASF · 2000-10 · tds
  21. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  22. Radel PPSU, Veradel PESU, Acudel modified PPSU Design Guide — environmental stress cracking tables Solvay Specialty Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  23. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc