3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PETG-CF vs PLA

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

Carbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF) guidePLA (standard) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PETG-CF comparisonsMore PLA comparisons
PETG-CF vs PLA — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF)PETGPLA (standard)PLA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$29.99/kg median; $16.00–$74.22/kg across 11 dated product listings$19.74/kg median; $9.99–$32.99/kg across 24 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPETG reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[1][2]Poly(lactic acid), a thermoplastic aliphatic polyester from fermented plant starch[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.25 (Bambu Lab) to 1.34 (3DXTech), ISO 1183; Prusament 1.27[1][5][2]1.17–1.24 (ISO 1183)[3][6][4]
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]Mainstream 1 kg spools cluster near 20[14][15][16]
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[17][1][18][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]10–33 across brands; budget house brands 10–14, premium European 26–33[19][20][21][22]
Market availability1–5Stocked by most mainstream brands[1][18][7][17]Ubiquitous, every brand and retailer[23][24]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75 and 1 kg spools[18][1]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75, 0.85, 1 and 1.1 kg spools plus spool-less refills[14][25][26][21][27]
Typical applicationsStiff functional parts and fixtures where PETG's toughness is traded for rigidity and a matte finish[1][2]Concept models, functional prototypes, low-wear toys, jigs used at room temperature[28]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.02 (Prusament)[2]±0.02 (Prusament) to ±0.03 (Bambu Lab, Prusa Research standard)[3][14][29]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C240–270 (Bambu Lab); 265 ± 10 (Prusament)[1][2]190–230; Prusament specifies 210 ± 10[3][6][4]
Bed temperature°C65–75 (Bambu Lab); 90 ± 10 (Prusament)[1][2]25–60; Prusament 40–60, Bambu Lab 35–45[3][6][4]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame fine; draught shield helps — Bambu Lab specifies a 35–50 °C chamber[1]Open frame is fine[6][23]
Recommended chamber temperature°C35–50 (Bambu Lab)[1]Not documented
Part cooling fan0–60 % (Bambu Lab); 50 % (Prusament)[1][2]100 % from the second layer; reduce on the first one or two layers for bed adhesion[3][24]
Bed surface & adhesion aidTextured PEI or engineering plate with glue (Bambu Lab)[1]Smooth or textured PEI, glass or painter's tape; glue stick only where release is a problem[6][30][24]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s11.5 on My Tech Fun's Bambu Lab PETG-CF profile[31]12–20 (PrusaSlicer max volumetric speed guidance for PLA)[32]
Warping tendency1–5Not documentedNone[33][23]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive[1]Sticks to anything — glue only needed on smooth PEI[6][4][24]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — the fibre reduces stringing against unfilled PETG[1][34]Slight — 1–3 mm retraction handles it; oozing rises with nozzle temperature[6][24][35]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[1]Beginner — prints on any machine out of the box[23][24]
Extruder requirementNot documentedAny extruder; Bowden and direct drive both fine, no hardware upgrades[23]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[1]Brass fine indefinitely[23]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[1]Non-abrasive[33][23]
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[36][37]Very low[23][24]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[34]Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed; softens below 60 °C so it deforms in a warm cold zone[30][38]
Hotend requirementHardened steel nozzle; no high-temperature hot-end needed[1][34]Any standard hotend; PTFE-lined is fine at PLA temperatures[23]
Other hardware wearNot documentedNone — brass nozzles and standard drive gears are unaffected[33][23]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Low — 0.30 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[1]Moderate — 0.40–0.51 % saturated at 23–25 °C and 55–70 % RH[4][6][39]
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]0.43 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.51 equilibrium (Polymaker)[4][6]
Drying temperature & time65 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[1]50–55 °C for 6–8 h in a forced-air dryer; 45 °C for 12 h in the Bambu Lab AMS HT[6][4][38]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[40]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[40]
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][40]Polymaker rates PLA low-sensitivity — it absorbs moisture slowly and the loss shows as poor layer adhesion and brittle layers rather than a published strength figure[40]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Bambu Lab says store dry after use[1][40]Sealed with desiccant below 20 % RH; shelf life at ambient is long[4][24]
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]35–52 (printed XY, ISO 527); 55 mean across 16 brands and 53 for the reference PLA in a later run, both on 4×4 mm printed bars[3][6][4][41][42]
Young's modulusMPa2460 ± 230 (Bambu Lab) and 1700 (Prusament) printed XY, ISO 527[1][2]2300–3427 (printed XY, ISO 527)[3][6][4]
Elongation at break%4.3 at yield (Prusament, printed XY, ISO 527); 3 at break for 3DXTech[2][5]6.3–12.2 (printed XY, ISO 527); Prusament quotes 2.9 at yield[6][4][3]
Flexural strengthMPa68 ± 3 printed horizontal, ISO 178 (Prusament)[2]76–87 (printed XY, ISO 178); Fiberlogy quotes 81 by ASTM D790[3][6][4][43]
Flexural modulusMPa2300 printed horizontal, 3100 printed vertical, ISO 178 (Prusament)[2]2750–3230 (printed XY, ISO 178); Fiberlogy quotes 3800 by ASTM D790[3][6][4][43]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented3.3–7.9 (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][31]Charpy unnotched, printed: 13–14 (Prusament, ISO 179-1), 26.6 (Bambu Lab PLA Basic)[3][4]
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][31]17–31 (Prusa interlayer test and printed Z tensile); 23 mean on My Tech Fun 4×4 mm bars[3][4][42]
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning[5]Brittle — snaps with little warning[30][33]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / Rockwell77 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method)[2]81 Shore D (Prusa Polymers in-house method); 75.3 Shore D measured on printed bars (My Tech Fun, Sunlu PLA)[3][44]
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[31]Poor — deforms under load at room temperature; 12 mm bar sagged to 20.3 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[45][46]
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[47]Poor — 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength, against 79 000–193 000 for PETG (printed, R = 0.2, 7 Hz)[47][30]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[33]
Z strength as % of XY%83 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile)[1]77–89 on TDS specimens; ≈44 on My Tech Fun 4×4 mm bars[6][4][42]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C74 (Bambu Lab) and 96 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[1][2]55–60 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa)[3][6][4]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[1][2]54–58 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa)[3][6][4]
Glass transition (Tg)°C68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (3DXTech), DSC[1][5]55–61 (DSC)[3][6][4]
Melting point / Vicat°C225 melting (Bambu Lab, DSC) — the carbon fibre lets the PET fraction crystallise[1]145–160 peak melt (Prusament, ISO 11357); 150 and 160 by DSC (PolyLite, Bambu Lab); Vicat 57–63 (ISO 306)[28][6][4]
Continuous service temperature°C77 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature, against 61 for Bambu Lab PETG Basic[31]50–55 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature[33][42]
Annealing responseNot documentedBambu Lab conditions specimens at 55 °C for 8 h; annealing at 50–60 °C for 6–12 h raises crystallinity but can warp parts[4][48]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·KNot documented96 ± 5 at 0° and 99 ± 5 at 90° raster (printed PLA, fibre Bragg grating, 25–50 °C)[49]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[1]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published by the major brands[4][6]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Moderate — a season or two; the carbon fibre does not add UV stabilisation[50]Degrades within weeks outdoors[30][28]
Outdoor durabilityNot documentedNot suitable for long-term outdoor use — UV embrittlement plus softening above 55 °C in direct sun[28][30]
Chemical resistanceWithstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure, as for unfilled PETG[50]Good against weak acids, oils and grease; poor against strong acids and alkalis; dissolved by chloroform, THF and hot benzene[6][30]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedGood — insoluble in water, absorbs 0.4–0.5 % at equilibrium[4][51]
Food contactNot certified for food contact[50]Base resin is food-contact grade and EN 71-3 certified by some brands, but printed layer grooves harbour bacteria; Prusa advises against food use[30][51]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[50]Industrially compostable only — needs sustained 55 °C and specific microbial conditions; not home compostable[51][30][4]
RecyclabilityFibre-filled PETG is not accepted in household plastic collection[50]Mechanically recyclable; not accepted in household plastic collection, so brand take-back schemes are the practical route[51]
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[52]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[52]
VOC emission rateµg/minNot documented4–5 lactide, the dominant VOC (chamber study, three printers)[52]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/minNot documented≈1 × 10⁸ median across three printers; only laywood ≈8 × 10⁷ and laybrick ≈6 × 10⁷ were lower[52]
Hazardous species emittedNot documentedLactide (3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione) dominates; no styrene or caprolactam as a leading species[52]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[52]None needed in a normal room[52]
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[34]Wet sanding — dry sanding heats the surface by friction and smears it[28][30]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds it[34]Cyanoacrylate for most joints; some grades partially dissolve and bond with acetone, depending on additives and colour[30][29]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[34]No practical vapour smoothing — only chloroform, hot benzene or THF, which are laboratory-only[30]
Support material pairingSupport for PLA or its own material (Bambu Lab)[1]PolySupport and PolyDissolve S1 (Polymaker); Support for PLA (Bambu Lab)[6][4]
Dimensional accuracy & detailMatte finish hides layer lines; stringing is reduced against unfilled PETG[1]Good — low shrinkage and features under 0.2 mm resolve; 55° overhangs and 30 mm bridges[33][4][24]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inNo common workshop solvent; dichloromethane — a carcinogen — dissolves the matrix surface, 1,2-dichloroethane destroys it in a week.[53][54]Chloroform: 10 % w/v in 2–4 h at 23 °C, every grade and morphology; THF and DMF only at 65 °C. Laboratory reagents.[55]
Softened or crazed byAcetone (+16 % weight over 1 year at 23 °C), ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften it; methanol crazes it.[53]Acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise it but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; submersion in acetone crazes and destroys parts.[55][54]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane reaches only the resin, so the fibre is left standing proud of the surface. Controlled carcinogen.[54]Chloroform vapour smooths and welds PLA at the cost of tensile strength; acetone does not smooth it at all.[56][54]

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. Prusament PLA Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  4. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PLA Basic Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  5. CarbonX Carbon Fiber PETG Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  6. PolyLite PLA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · 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 Basic — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. MH Build Series PLA Filament White 1.75mm 1kg MatterHackers · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. 3DJAKE ecoPLA Black 1.75mm 1000g 3DJake International · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. JAYO PLA Classic 1.1KG 1.75mm JAYO Official Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  20. ELEGOO PLA Filament 1.75mm Colored 1KG Elegoo US Official Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  21. Fillamentum PLA Extrafill Natural 1kg Fillamentum USA · 2026-08 · vendor
  22. Prusament PLA Jet Black 1kg (NFC) Prusa Research · 2026-08 · vendor
  23. Filament Material Guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  24. PLA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  25. Fiberlogy rPLA Refill Anthracite 850 g 3DJake International · 2026-08 · vendor
  26. JAYO Silk PLA+ 1.75mm 1.1kg JAYO Official Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  27. ColorFabb PLA/PHA 750g 3D Universe · 2026-08 · vendor
  28. Prusament PLA Technical Data Sheet v1.0 Prusa Polymers · 2018-09 · tds
  29. Prusament rPLA Corn Pigment 1kg — product page Prusa Research · 2026-08 · vendor
  30. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  31. BambuLab PETG Basic vs Translucent vs PETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  32. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  33. Prusament PLA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  34. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  35. PLA — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  36. CARBONX PETG+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  37. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  38. Filament Drying Recommendations Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  39. PolySonic PLA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  40. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  41. 16 PLA brand comparison test — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2022-10 · test
  42. Creality Hyper PLA filament review — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  43. Easy PLA — product and technical data Fiberlogy · 2026-08 · tds
  44. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  45. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  46. PolyTerra PLA vs PLA+ — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  47. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  48. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PLA Matte Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  49. Characterization of Thermal Expansion Coefficient of 3D Printing Polymeric Materials Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Materials 17(18):4668 · 2024-09 · paper
  50. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  51. Filamentive PLA (recycled) — product page Filamentive · 2026-08 · vendor
  52. 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
  53. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  54. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  55. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  56. 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