3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PETG-CF vs PLA-CF

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

Carbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF) guideCarbon-fibre PLA (PLA-CF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PETG-CF comparisonsMore PLA-CF comparisons
PETG-CF vs PLA-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF)PETGCarbon-fibre PLA (PLA-CF)PLA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$29.99/kg median; $16.00–$74.22/kg across 11 dated product listings$29.99/kg median; $19.00–$79.98/kg across 9 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPETG reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[1][2]PLA filled with chopped carbon fibre — 5–10 wt% (Bambu Lab SDS), 8 wt% (Polymaker)[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.25 (Bambu Lab) to 1.34 (3DXTech), ISO 1183; Prusament 1.27[1][5][2]1.22 (Bambu Lab) to 1.29 (Polymaker, 3DXTech), ISO 1183[6][4][7]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 16–74; the middle of the market is about 29[1][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]1 kg spools span 19–80; the middle of the market is about 31[15][16][7][17][18]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg16–74 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[19][1][20][8][9][10][11][12][13][14]19–80 across brands; IEMAI 19, LANDU 24, SUNLU 27, Polymaker 30, Bambu Lab 32, 3DXTech 47, Proto-pasta 80[16][15][7][21][17][22][18]
Market availability1–5Stocked by most mainstream brands[1][20][8][19]Stocked by most mainstream brands[15][16][7][21]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75 and 1 kg spools[20][1]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 3 kg spools[21][7][23]
Typical applicationsStiff functional parts and fixtures where PETG's toughness is traded for rigidity and a matte finish[1][2]Stiff jigs, drone and RC frames, tool holders — matte black finish, no gain in tensile strength[6][4]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.02 (Prusament)[2]±0.03 (Bambu Lab)[15]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C240–270 (Bambu Lab); 265 ± 10 (Prusament)[1][2]210–240 (Bambu Lab); 190–230 (Polymaker)[6][4]
Bed temperature°C65–75 (Bambu Lab); 90 ± 10 (Prusament)[1][2]35–45 (Bambu Lab); 25–60 (Polymaker)[6][4]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame fine; draught shield helps — Bambu Lab specifies a 35–50 °C chamber[1]Open frame is fine[4]
Recommended chamber temperature°C35–50 (Bambu Lab)[1]Not documented
Part cooling fan0–60 % (Bambu Lab); 50 % (Prusament)[1][2]Fan on[6][4]
Bed surface & adhesion aidTextured PEI or engineering plate with glue (Bambu Lab)[1]Not documented
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s11.5 on My Tech Fun's Bambu Lab PETG-CF profile[24]16 at Bambu Lab's 200 mm/s cap and 24 at Polymaker's 300 mm/s, on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer; Bambu Lab's own filament guide says 250 mm/s where its TDS says 200[6][25][4][26]
Warping tendency1–5Not documentedNone[6]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive[1]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — the fibre reduces stringing against unfilled PETG[1][27]Slight[4]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[1]Easy — minor profile tuning; needs a hardened nozzle and 0.4 mm or larger[25][4]
Extruder requirementNot documentedNozzles below 0.4 mm are not compatible (Bambu Lab)[25]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[1]Hardened steel required[25][4]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[1]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[25][28]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — 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[29][30]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[25]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[27]Not documented
Hotend requirementHardened steel nozzle; no high-temperature hot-end needed[1][27]Hardened steel nozzle; Bambu Lab lists PLA-CF among the filaments its hardened-steel nozzle exists for[28][25]
Other hardware wearNot documentedBambu Lab reports AMS wear; Polymaker advises against running PLA-CF through an AMS at all[25][4]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Low — 0.30 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[1]Moderate — 0.42 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.38 % equilibrium (Polymaker)[6][4]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.30 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); Prusa measures 0.10 after 7 days at 22 % RH[1][2]0.42 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.38 equilibrium (Polymaker)[6][4]
Drying temperature & time65 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[1]55 °C for 6–8 h[6][4]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[31]Not documented
Effect of moisture on strengthNo dry-versus-conditioned figures published; Bambu Lab states PETG-CF must be properly dried before printing and stored dry after use[1][31]Polymaker rates PLA low-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures for this grade; absorbed water flashes to steam and shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[31]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Bambu Lab says store dry after use[1][31]Not documented
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa35 ± 5 (Bambu Lab) and 47 ± 2 at yield (Prusament) printed XY, ISO 527; 56 at break for 3DXTech[1][2][5]31.2 (Polymaker) to 38 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 527; 48 at break for 3DXTech[6][4][7]
Young's modulusMPa2460 ± 230 (Bambu Lab) and 1700 (Prusament) printed XY, ISO 527[1][2]2790 (Bambu Lab) to 3281 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527; 4950 for 3DXTech[6][4][7]
Elongation at break%4.3 at yield (Prusament, printed XY, ISO 527); 3 at break for 3DXTech[2][5]8.4 (Bambu Lab) and 13.2 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527; 2 for 3DXTech[6][4][7]
Flexural strengthMPa68 ± 3 printed horizontal, ISO 178 (Prusament)[2]51.7 (Polymaker) to 89 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 178[6][4]
Flexural modulusMPa2300 printed horizontal, 3100 printed vertical, ISO 178 (Prusament)[2]3381 (Polymaker) to 3950 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 178; 6320 for 3DXTech[6][4][7]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented5.5 (Polymaker) and 7.6 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 179, notched[6][4]
Other impact dataCharpy unnotched 29 ± 6 printed horizontal and 43 ± 8 printed vertical (Prusament, ISO 179-1); Izod 4.91 kJ/m² on My Tech Fun bars[2][24]Charpy unnotched 23.2 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179)[6]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa29 ± 4 printed Z (Bambu Lab, ISO 527); 18 ± 3 by Prusa's interlayer adhesion test; 10.7 on My Tech Fun bars[1][2][24]15.1 (Polymaker) to 26 (Bambu Lab) printed Z, ISO 527[6][4]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning[5]Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation in Z falls to 0.9 % (Polymaker)[4][6]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / Rockwell77 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method)[2]71.5 Shore D measured on printed bars for Sunlu CF PLA (My Tech Fun), against 75.3 for the same maker's unfilled PLA[32]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Below average — a 12 mm bar sagged to 16.4 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg, less than plain PETG's 19.4[24]Poor — 12 mm bars sagged to 15.1, 19.8 and 21.3 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg across three brands, against 16.2–21.8 mm for their unfilled PLA[33][34][32]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Moderate — no CF-grade S-N curve; unfilled printed PETG ran 79 000–193 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength[35]Poor — no CF-grade S-N curve; plain printed PLA ran 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength and elongation in Z falls to 0.9 %[35][4]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[4]
Z strength as % of XY%83 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile)[1]48 (Polymaker) to 68 (Bambu Lab), printed[6][4]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C74 (Bambu Lab) and 96 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[1][2]54 (Polymaker) to 55 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[6][4]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[1][2]50 (Polymaker) to 54 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[6][4]
Glass transition (Tg)°C68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (3DXTech), DSC[1][5]62–63 (DSC)[6][4]
Melting point / Vicat°C225 melting (Bambu Lab, DSC) — the carbon fibre lets the PET fraction crystallise[1]162–165 peak melt (DSC); Vicat 64 °C (Polymaker)[6][4]
Continuous service temperature°C77 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature, against 61 for Bambu Lab PETG Basic[24]50–61 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature across three brands (Sunlu 50, Bambu Lab and Polymaker 61)[33][34][32]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[1]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Moderate — a season or two; the carbon fibre does not add UV stabilisation[36]Degrades within weeks outdoors[37]
Chemical resistanceWithstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure, as for unfilled PETG[36]Good against weak acids, oils and grease; poor against strong acids and alkalis[4]
Food contactNot certified for food contact[36]Not documented
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[36]Not documented
RecyclabilityFibre-filled PETG is not accepted in household plastic collection[36]Not documented
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — carbon fibre at this loading is not static-dissipative (3DXTech)[5]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[38]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[38]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[38]None needed in a normal room[38]
Dust & fibre handling hazardCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[5]Carbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[3]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands to a matte finish more readily than unfilled PETG[27]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds it[27]Not documented
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[27]Not documented
Support material pairingSupport for PLA or its own material (Bambu Lab)[1]Support for PLA (Bambu Lab); PolySupport and PolyDissolve S1 (Polymaker)[6][4]
Dimensional accuracy & detailMatte finish hides layer lines; stringing is reduced against unfilled PETG[1]Matte finish hides layer lines; stiffness is the gain — tensile strength stays at or below Bambu Lab PLA Basic's 35 MPa and Polymaker PolyLite PLA's 52.3 MPa[6][4][39][40]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inNo common workshop solvent; dichloromethane — a carcinogen — dissolves the matrix surface, 1,2-dichloroethane destroys it in a week.[41][42]Chloroform dissolves the PLA matrix (10 % w/v, 2–4 h at 23 °C) and leaves the filler as loose sludge; laboratory reagent.[43]
Softened or crazed byAcetone (+16 % weight over 1 year at 23 °C), ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften it; methanol crazes it.[41]Acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise the matrix but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; acetone submersion crazes parts.[43][42]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane reaches only the resin, so the fibre is left standing proud of the surface. Controlled carcinogen.[42]Chloroform vapour attacks only the resin fraction, so the filler is left standing proud; no workshop-safe agent exists.[44][42]

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 — PETG-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  2. Prusament PETG Carbon Fiber Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Safety Data Sheet SDS20251127A50 — Bambu PLA-CF Bambu Lab · 2025-11 · msds
  4. PolyLite PLA-CF Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  5. CarbonX Carbon Fiber PETG Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  6. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V4.0 — PLA-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  7. CarbonX PLA+CF Technical Data Sheet v3 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  8. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. SUNLU PETG-CF (PETG Carbon Fiber) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Fibreheart PETG-CF Pro Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. IEMAI CF-PETG 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Reli3D Carbon Fiber PETG Filament 1.75 mm, 1 kg Reli3D (Amazon US) · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. PET-G CF15 Sakata 3D Filaments · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. Filament PM CFJet technical data sheet (TDS CFJet ENG.pdf) Filament PM (Plasty Mladec) · 2026-08 · tds
  15. PLA-CF — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. PolyLite PLA-CF — product page Polymaker Shop · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. IEMAI CF-PLA 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. SUNLU PLA-CF Carbon Fiber 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  20. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  21. Proto-pasta product catalogue Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · vendor
  22. LANDU Carbon Fiber PLA Filament 1.75 mm Black 1 kg LANDU (Amazon US) · 2026-08 · vendor
  23. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  24. BambuLab PETG Basic vs Translucent vs PETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  25. PLA Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  26. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  27. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  28. Nozzles — material and compatibility Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  29. CARBONX PETG+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  30. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  31. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  32. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  33. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  34. Polymaker PLA Pro vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  35. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  36. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  37. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  38. 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
  39. PolyLite PLA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  40. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PLA Basic Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  41. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  42. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  43. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  44. 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