3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PETG-CF vs PLA HS

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

Carbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF) guideHigh-Speed PLA guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PETG-CF comparisonsMore PLA HS comparisons
PETG-CF vs PLA HS — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF)PETGHigh-Speed PLAPLA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$29.99/kg median; $16.00–$74.22/kg across 11 dated product listings$19.99/kg median; $11.49–$32.99/kg across 10 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPETG reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[1][2]PLA with rheology and crystallisation tuned for high volumetric flow; melt index 15.4 g/10 min vs 7–11 for standard PLA[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.25 (Bambu Lab) to 1.34 (3DXTech), ISO 1183; Prusament 1.27[1][5][2]1.23 (ISO 1183, at 21.5 °C)[3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 16–74; the middle of the market is about 29[1][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]Mainstream 1 kg spools cluster near 20[13][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][6][7][8][9][10][11][12]11–33 across brands; budget house brands 11–18, Prusament 33[18][19][20]
Market availability1–5Stocked by most mainstream brands[1][17][6][16]Stocked by most mainstream brands[21][15][22]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75 and 1 kg spools[17][1]1.75 mm; 1 kg spools[13][15]
Typical applicationsStiff functional parts and fixtures where PETG's toughness is traded for rigidity and a matte finish[1][2]Large or repetitive prints on printers that can sustain high flow[23][21]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.02 (Prusament)[2]±0.03 (Bambu Lab PLA Basic, rated to 258 mm/s)[24]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C240–270 (Bambu Lab); 265 ± 10 (Prusament)[1][2]210–230 for high-speed work; 190–210 at classic speeds[3][21]
Bed temperature°C65–75 (Bambu Lab); 90 ± 10 (Prusament)[1][2]30–60 (Polymaker); 35–45 (Bambu Lab)[3][25]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame fine; draught shield helps — Bambu Lab specifies a 35–50 °C chamber[1]Open frame is fine[3]
Recommended chamber temperature°C35–50 (Bambu Lab)[1]Not documented
Part cooling fan0–60 % (Bambu Lab); 50 % (Prusament)[1][2]Fan on[3]
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[26]≈24 at 300 mm/s with a 0.4 mm nozzle and 0.2 mm layer; 30 % more flow than regular PLA at the same temperature[3][21][23][27]
Warping tendency1–5Not documentedNone[3]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive[1]Sticks to anything[28]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — the fibre reduces stringing against unfilled PETG[1][29]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[1]Easy — minor profile tuning; needs a printer that can actually reach the flow rate[21][3]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[1]Brass fine indefinitely[30]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[1]Non-abrasive[31][30]
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[32][33]Very low[30]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[29]Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed; PLA softens below 60 °C[34]
Hotend requirementHardened steel nozzle; no high-temperature hot-end needed[1][29]No special hot-end required[28]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Low — 0.30 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[1]Moderate — 0.40 % equilibrium at 23 °C / 70 % RH[3]
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]0.40 equilibrium at 23 °C / 70 % RH (Polymaker PolySonic)[3]
Drying temperature & time65 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[1]55 °C for 6 h; 50 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[3][25]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[35]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[35]
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][35]Polymaker rates PLA low-sensitivity — the loss shows as poor layer adhesion and brittle layers rather than a published strength figure[35]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Bambu Lab says store dry after use[1][35]Sealed with desiccant below 20 % RH; shelf life at ambient is long[25][28]
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]43.9 at 300 mm/s and 46.0 at 46.7 mm/s (printed XY, ISO 527); 58.6 on My Tech Fun bars for Creality Hyper PLA[3][36]
Young's modulusMPa2460 ± 230 (Bambu Lab) and 1700 (Prusament) printed XY, ISO 527[1][2]2650 at 300 mm/s, 2878 at classic speed (printed XY, ISO 527)[3]
Elongation at break%4.3 at yield (Prusament, printed XY, ISO 527); 3 at break for 3DXTech[2][5]15.1 at 300 mm/s, 21.5 at classic speed (printed XY, ISO 527)[3]
Flexural strengthMPa68 ± 3 printed horizontal, ISO 178 (Prusament)[2]71.4 at 300 mm/s, 76.5 at classic speed (printed XY, ISO 178)[3]
Flexural modulusMPa2300 printed horizontal, 3100 printed vertical, ISO 178 (Prusament)[2]2798 at 300 mm/s, 2868 at classic speed (printed XY, ISO 178)[3]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented5.0 at 300 mm/s, 6.1 at classic speed (printed XY, ISO 179, notched)[3]
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][26]Printing at 300 mm/s instead of 46.7 mm/s costs 4.6 % tensile strength and 18 % notched Charpy[3]
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][26]32.4 at 300 mm/s, 37.3 at classic speed (printed Z, ISO 527); 35.3 for Creality Hyper PLA vs 23.0 for average PLA on identical bars[3][36]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning[5]Moderate[3]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / Rockwell77 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method)[2]78.7 Shore D measured on printed bars for Sunlu PLA Meta (My Tech Fun), against 75.3 for the same maker's plain PLA[37]
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[26]Poor — 12 mm bar sagged to 17.7 mm over 6 days at 1.25 kg[36]
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[38]Poor — no grade-specific S-N curve; plain printed PLA ran 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength (R = 0.2)[38][34]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[3]
Z strength as % of XY%83 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile)[1]74 at 300 mm/s, 81 at classic speed (printed)[3]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C74 (Bambu Lab) and 96 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[1][2]53 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa)[3]
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)[3]
Glass transition (Tg)°C68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (3DXTech), DSC[1][5]59 (DSC)[3]
Melting point / Vicat°C225 melting (Bambu Lab, DSC) — the carbon fibre lets the PET fraction crystallise[1]164 peak melt (DSC); crystallisation 96 °C, Vicat 61 °C[3]
Continuous service temperature°C77 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature, against 61 for Bambu Lab PETG Basic[26]53 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature[36]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·KNot documented96–99 for plain printed PLA (fibre Bragg grating, 25–50 °C); no grade-specific measurement published[39]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[1]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published by the major brands[25][4]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Moderate — a season or two; the carbon fibre does not add UV stabilisation[40]Degrades within weeks outdoors[34][41]
Chemical resistanceWithstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure, as for unfilled PETG[40]Good against weak acids, oils and grease; poor against strong acids and alkalis[3]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedGood — insoluble in water[25]
Food contactNot certified for food contact[40]Base resin is food-contact grade, but printed layer grooves harbour bacteria; Prusa advises against food use[34]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[40]Industrially compostable only — needs sustained 55 °C; not home compostable[42][34]
RecyclabilityFibre-filled PETG is not accepted in household plastic collection[40]Mechanically recyclable; not accepted in household plastic collection[42]
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[43]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[43]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[43]None needed in a normal room[43]
Dust & fibre handling hazardCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[5]Not documented
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands to a matte finish more readily than unfilled PETG[29]Wet sanding — dry sanding heats the surface by friction and smears it[41][34]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds it[29]Cyanoacrylate for most joints; some grades partially dissolve and bond with acetone[34][44]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[29]No practical vapour smoothing — only chloroform, hot benzene or THF, which are laboratory-only[34]
Support material pairingSupport for PLA or its own material (Bambu Lab)[1]PolySupport and PolyDissolve S1 (Polymaker)[3]
Dimensional accuracy & detailMatte finish hides layer lines; stringing is reduced against unfilled PETG[1]Not documented
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inNo common workshop solvent; dichloromethane — a carcinogen — dissolves the matrix surface, 1,2-dichloroethane destroys it in a week.[45][46]Chloroform: 10 % w/v in 2–4 h at 23 °C, every grade and morphology; THF and DMF only at 65 °C. Laboratory reagents.[47]
Softened or crazed byAcetone (+16 % weight over 1 year at 23 °C), ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften it; methanol crazes it.[45]Acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise it but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; submersion in acetone crazes and destroys parts.[47][46]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane reaches only the resin, so the fibre is left standing proud of the surface. Controlled carcinogen.[46]Chloroform vapour smooths and welds PLA at the cost of tensile strength; acetone does not smooth it at all.[48][46]

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. PolySonic PLA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  4. PolyLite PLA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  5. CarbonX Carbon Fiber PETG Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  6. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. SUNLU PETG-CF (PETG Carbon Fiber) 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Fibreheart PETG-CF Pro Filament product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. IEMAI CF-PETG 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Reli3D Carbon Fiber PETG Filament 1.75 mm, 1 kg Reli3D (Amazon US) · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. PET-G CF15 Sakata 3D Filaments · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Filament PM CFJet technical data sheet (TDS CFJet ENG.pdf) Filament PM (Plasty Mladec) · 2026-08 · tds
  13. PolySonic PLA 1.75mm/1kg — product page Polymaker Shop · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. Overture High Speed PLA 1.75mm Overture3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. High Speed PLA filament collection Anycubic Official Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. PLA Meta filament collection Sunlu Official Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. QIDI PLA Rapido 1.75mm 1kg 3D Printers Depot · 2026-08 · vendor
  20. Prusament PLA Prusa Pro Green 1kg (NFC) Prusa Research · 2026-08 · vendor
  21. PolySonic PLA — product page Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  22. Creality PLA filament collection Creality Official Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  23. Polymaker Launches New High-Speed 3D Printing Filament — PolySonic PLA & PLA Pro Polymaker · 2023-11 · doc
  24. PLA Basic — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  25. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PLA Basic Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  26. BambuLab PETG Basic vs Translucent vs PETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  27. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  28. PLA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  29. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  30. Filament Material Guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  31. Prusament PLA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  32. CARBONX PETG+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  33. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  34. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  35. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  36. Creality Hyper PLA filament review — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  37. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  38. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  39. Characterization of Thermal Expansion Coefficient of 3D Printing Polymeric Materials Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Materials 17(18):4668 · 2024-09 · paper
  40. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  41. Prusament PLA Technical Data Sheet v1.0 Prusa Polymers · 2018-09 · tds
  42. Filamentive PLA (recycled) — product page Filamentive · 2026-08 · vendor
  43. 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
  44. Prusament rPLA Corn Pigment 1kg — product page Prusa Research · 2026-08 · vendor
  45. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  46. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  47. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  48. 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