3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PETG-CF vs PLA Glow

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

Carbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF) guideGlow-in-the-dark PLA guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PETG-CF comparisonsMore PLA Glow comparisons
PETG-CF vs PLA Glow — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF)PETGGlow-in-the-dark PLAPLA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$29.99/kg median; $16.00–$74.22/kg across 11 dated product listings$24.99/kg median; $19.99–$49.16/kg across 5 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPETG reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[1][2]PLA with a phosphorescent additive at 2–20 wt% (Bambu Lab SDS, filler not named)[3]
Densityg/cm³1.25 (Bambu Lab) to 1.34 (3DXTech), ISO 1183; Prusament 1.27[1][4][2]1.24 (colorFabb) to 1.26 (Bambu Lab), ISO 1183[5][6]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 16–74; the middle of the market is about 29[1][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]1 kg spools cluster near 25[14][15]
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[16][1][17][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]20–49 across brands; ELEGOO 20, Bambu Lab 25, Polymaker 25, Filament PM 49 on 0.5 kg spools[16][14][15][18]
Market availability1–5Stocked by most mainstream brands[1][17][7][16]Stocked by most mainstream brands[14][15][16]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75 and 1 kg spools[17][1]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75 and 1 kg spools[19][6]
Typical applicationsStiff functional parts and fixtures where PETG's toughness is traded for rigidity and a matte finish[1][2]Signage, novelty and cosplay parts that glow after light exposure[5]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.02 (Prusament)[2]Not documented
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C240–270 (Bambu Lab); 265 ± 10 (Prusament)[1][2]190–230 on the Bambu Lab TDS against 210–240 in its own material table; colorFabb advises 195–220[5][20][6]
Bed temperature°C65–75 (Bambu Lab); 90 ± 10 (Prusament)[1][2]35–45 (Bambu Lab); 50–60 (colorFabb)[5][6]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame fine; draught shield helps — Bambu Lab specifies a 35–50 °C chamber[1]Open frame is fine[5]
Recommended chamber temperature°C35–50 (Bambu Lab)[1]Not documented
Part cooling fan0–60 % (Bambu Lab); 50 % (Prusament)[1][2]Fan on; colorFabb allows 0–100 %[5][6]
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[21]Not documented
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][22]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[1]Easy — minor profile tuning; a hardened nozzle is mandatory[20][15]
Extruder requirementNot documentedBambu Lab: hardened steel and high-flow nozzles only, 0.2 mm excluded, AMS lite not compatible[20]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[1]Hardened steel required[20][15][6]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[1]Highly abrasive — the phosphor is a hard ceramic; Bambu Lab groups glow with carbon fibre as the materials that wear nozzles and grind AMS PTFE, and both Bambu Lab and Polymaker require a hardened nozzle[20][6]
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[23][24]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[20]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[22]Not documented
Hotend requirementHardened steel nozzle; no high-temperature hot-end needed[1][22]Hardened steel nozzle; Bambu Lab lists glow-in-the-dark among the filaments its hardened-steel nozzle exists for[25][20]
Other hardware wearNot documentedBambu Lab reports the filament adds enough feeding resistance to fail prints on the AMS lite; colorFabb warns of brass nozzle wear[20][6]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Low — 0.30 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[1]Moderate — 0.46 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH[5]
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]0.46 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[5]
Drying temperature & time65 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[1]Not documented
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[26]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][26]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[26]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Bambu Lab says store dry after use[1][26]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][4]32 ± 3 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); colorFabb quotes 61.5 by ISO 527 on its own specimens[5][6]
Young's modulusMPa2460 ± 230 (Bambu Lab) and 1700 (Prusament) printed XY, ISO 527[1][2]2030 ± 210 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); colorFabb 2960[5][6]
Elongation at break%4.3 at yield (Prusament, printed XY, ISO 527); 3 at break for 3DXTech[2][4]8.6 ± 1.2 printed XY, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab); colorFabb 10.5 at break[5][6]
Flexural strengthMPa68 ± 3 printed horizontal, ISO 178 (Prusament)[2]76 ± 4 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab)[5]
Flexural modulusMPa2300 printed horizontal, 3100 printed vertical, ISO 178 (Prusament)[2]2640 ± 130 printed XY, ISO 178 (Bambu Lab); colorFabb 3295[5][6]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented2.8 (colorFabb, ISO 179-1/1eA) and 8.8 ± 1.7 (Bambu Lab, ISO 179) printed XY, notched[5][6]
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][21]Charpy unnotched 27.3 (Bambu Lab) and 30.8 (colorFabb), printed, ISO 179[5][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][21]26 ± 3 printed Z, ISO 527 (Bambu Lab)[5]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning[4]Brittle — snaps with little warning[5]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / Rockwell77 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method)[2]Not documented
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[21]Poor — no glow-grade creep test; plain printed PLA sagged from 12 to 16.2–21.8 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[27][28][29]
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[30]Poor — no grade-specific S-N curve; plain printed PLA ran 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength and the glow filler leaves a brittle, highly abrasive compound[30][5]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[5]
Z strength as % of XY%83 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile)[1]81 by tensile, 72 by flexural (printed, Bambu Lab)[5]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C74 (Bambu Lab) and 96 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[1][2]55 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa)[5]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[1][2]52 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa)[5]
Glass transition (Tg)°C68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (3DXTech), DSC[1][4]55 (DSC)[5]
Melting point / Vicat°C225 melting (Bambu Lab, DSC) — the carbon fibre lets the PET fraction crystallise[1]155 peak melt (DSC); colorFabb quotes above 155 by ISO 3146-C[5][6]
Continuous service temperature°C77 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature, against 61 for Bambu Lab PETG Basic[21]Not documented
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[31]Degrades within weeks outdoors[32]
Chemical resistanceWithstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure, as for unfilled PETG[31]Not documented
Food contactNot certified for food contact[31]Not documented
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[31]Not documented
RecyclabilityFibre-filled PETG is not accepted in household plastic collection[31]Not documented
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10⁹ ohm/sq — carbon fibre at this loading is not static-dissipative (3DXTech)[4]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[33]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[33]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[33]None needed in a normal room[33]
Dust & fibre handling hazardCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[4]Not documented
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands to a matte finish more readily than unfilled PETG[22]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds it[22]Not documented
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[22]Not documented
Support material pairingSupport for PLA or its own material (Bambu Lab)[1]Support for PLA (Bambu Lab)[5]
Dimensional accuracy & detailMatte finish hides layer lines; stringing is reduced against unfilled PETG[1]Glow brightness rises with wall thickness; 0.2 mm nozzles are not usable[20]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inNo common workshop solvent; dichloromethane — a carcinogen — dissolves the matrix surface, 1,2-dichloroethane destroys it in a week.[34][35]Chloroform dissolves the PLA matrix (10 % w/v, 2–4 h at 23 °C) and leaves the filler as loose sludge; laboratory reagent.[36]
Softened or crazed byAcetone (+16 % weight over 1 year at 23 °C), ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften it; methanol crazes it.[34]Acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise the matrix but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; acetone submersion crazes parts.[36][35]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane reaches only the resin, so the fibre is left standing proud of the surface. Controlled carcinogen.[35]Chloroform vapour attacks only the resin fraction, so the filler is left standing proud; no workshop-safe agent exists.[37][35]

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 SDS20251127A12 — Bambu PLA Glow Bambu Lab · 2025-11 · msds
  4. CarbonX Carbon Fiber PETG Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  5. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet — PLA Glow Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  6. glowFill technical data sheet colorFabb · 2026-08 · tds
  7. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. SUNLU PETG-CF (PETG Carbon Fiber) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Fibreheart PETG-CF Pro Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. IEMAI CF-PETG 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Reli3D Carbon Fiber PETG Filament 1.75 mm, 1 kg Reli3D (Amazon US) · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. PET-G CF15 Sakata 3D Filaments · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Filament PM CFJet technical data sheet (TDS CFJet ENG.pdf) Filament PM (Plasty Mladec) · 2026-08 · tds
  14. PLA Glow — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. Panchroma Luminous PLA — product page Polymaker Shop · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. Filament PM PLA GlowJet technical data sheet Filament PM (Plasty Mladec) · 2026-08 · tds
  19. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  20. PLA Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  21. BambuLab PETG Basic vs Translucent vs PETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  22. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  23. CARBONX PETG+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  25. Nozzles — material and compatibility Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  26. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  27. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  28. Polymaker PLA Pro vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  29. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  30. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  31. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  32. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  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. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  35. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  36. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  37. 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