3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PETG-CF vs PP

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

Carbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF) guidePolypropylene (PP) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PETG-CF comparisonsMore PP comparisons
PETG-CF vs PP — documented properties and sources
PropertyCarbon-fibre PETG (PETG-CF)PETGPolypropylene (PP)POLYOLEFIN
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$29.99/kg median; $16.00–$74.22/kg across 11 dated product listings$46.56/kg median; $31.99–$53.00/kg across 4 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPETG reinforced with chopped carbon fibre[1][2]Polypropylene — a semi-crystalline polyolefin with no polar groups, so it neither absorbs water nor bonds to most bed surfaces[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.25 (Bambu Lab) to 1.34 (3DXTech), ISO 1183; Prusament 1.27[1][5][2]0.91 (Prusa PP composite, ISO 1183) — the lightest common filament[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-equivalent spools span 27–53; the middle of the market is about 44[14][15][16][17]
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[18][1][19][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]27–53 across brands; Reli3D 32 on Amazon, SUNLU 44 at 0.8 kg, Fiberlogy 49 at 750 g, IEMAI 3D 53, and the 3DJake PP listing spans 27–49[14][20][15][16][17]
Market availability1–5Stocked by most mainstream brands[1][19][7][18]Available from several mainstream brands[20][15][14]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75 and 1 kg spools[19][1]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75 kg spools are common[15]
Typical applicationsStiff functional parts and fixtures where PETG's toughness is traded for rigidity and a matte finish[1][2]Living hinges, chemical-resistant containers, automotive clips and packaging prototypes[3]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.02 (Prusament)[2]Not documented
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C240–270 (Bambu Lab); 265 ± 10 (Prusament)[1][2]210–230 (Braskem-type PE/PP window); Formfutura's Centaur PP melts at 205 ± 15 °C[3]
Bed temperature°C65–75 (Bambu Lab); 90 ± 10 (Prusament)[1][2]Not documented
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Open frame fine; draught shield helps — Bambu Lab specifies a 35–50 °C chamber[1]Enclosure recommended — Simplify3D lists an enclosure as a hardware requirement and Polymaker advises one below 70 °C ambient to stop warping and cracking[21][4]
Recommended chamber temperature°C35–50 (Bambu Lab)[1]Not documented
Part cooling fan0–60 % (Bambu Lab); 50 % (Prusament)[1][2]Part cooling fan required (Simplify3D)[21]
Bed surface & adhesion aidTextured PEI or engineering plate with glue (Bambu Lab)[1]Packing tape, a polypropylene sheet, or a PP-specific adhesive such as Magigoo PP — ordinary PLA and ABS adhesives do not hold it[21][4]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s11.5 on My Tech Fun's Bambu Lab PETG-CF profile[22]Not documented
Warping tendency1–5Not documentedHigh — enclosure needed for reliable large parts; PP's crystallinity drives shrinkage and Prusa recommends a brim on its PP grades[6][23]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive[1]Very difficult — special plates or slurry required. PP bonds to almost nothing; a polypropylene-specific tape or adhesive is the normal answer[6][4]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Slight — the fibre reduces stringing against unfilled PETG[1][24]Slight — Polymaker advises 1–2 mm retraction at 20–30 mm/s[4]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; hardened nozzle mandatory[1]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; bed adhesion is the whole problem[4][6]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[1]Brass fine indefinitely for unfilled grades — Simplify3D states no special hotend is required[21]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[1]Non-abrasive when unfilled[21]
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[25][26]Low — Simplify3D lists no special hotend requirement for PP and clogging is not among its listed drawbacks[27][21]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[24]Slightly sensitive[21]
Hotend requirementHardened steel nozzle; no high-temperature hot-end needed[1][24]No special hot-end required (Simplify3D)[21]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Low — 0.30 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab)[1]Negligible (<0.1 % EMC) — Prusa measures 0.03 % in 24 h and 0.04 % in 7 days on its PP composite, the lowest figures it publishes for any filament[6]
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]0.03 after 24 h and 0.04 after 7 days at 24 °C / 22 % RH (Prusa Polymers, measured on its PP composite)[6]
Drying temperature & time65 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab)[1]No drying step is published for PP; uptake is below the level that affects printing[6]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[27]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle; Polymaker still advises a 70 °C dry for 4–6 h despite the low uptake[4]
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][27]Not applicable in practice — with equilibrium uptake at 0.04 %, there is no moisture-driven strength loss to measure. Polymaker's sensitivity tiers put polyolefins below even PLA[6][27]
Storage requirementSealed with desiccant; Bambu Lab says store dry after use[1][27]No special storage needed[6]
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]12 at yield (Formfutura Centaur PP, ASTM D638)[3]
Young's modulusMPa2460 ± 230 (Bambu Lab) and 1700 (Prusament) printed XY, ISO 527[1][2]724 on extruded PP stock (ASTM D638; converted from 105,000 psi)[28]
Elongation at break%4.3 at yield (Prusament, printed XY, ISO 527); 3 at break for 3DXTech[2][5]Above 600 at break (Formfutura Centaur PP, ASTM D638)[3]
Flexural strengthMPa68 ± 3 printed horizontal, ISO 178 (Prusament)[2]31.0 on extruded PP stock (ASTM D790; converted from 4500 psi)[28]
Flexural modulusMPa2300 printed horizontal, 3100 printed vertical, ISO 178 (Prusament)[2]402 flexural modulus (Formfutura Centaur PP, ASTM D790) — an order of magnitude below any rigid filament[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][22]Izod notched 112 J/m on extruded PP stock, converted from 2.1 ft-lb/in (ASTM D256)[28]
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][22]Not documented
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning[5]Very ductile — bends far before failing[3]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / Rockwell77 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method)[2]Rockwell R102 (and M95) on extruded PP stock (ASTM D785)[28]
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[22]Below average[3]
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[29]Excellent — living hinges viable, the classic polypropylene application[3]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Semi-flexible[3]
Z strength as % of XY%83 (Bambu Lab, printed Z against XY tensile)[1]Not documented
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C74 (Bambu Lab) and 96 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[1][2]74 on extruded PP stock (ASTM D648 at 66 psi; converted from 165 °F)[28]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (Prusament), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[1][2]Not documented
Glass transition (Tg)°C68 (Bambu Lab) and 80 (3DXTech), DSC[1][5]Not documented
Melting point / Vicat°C225 melting (Bambu Lab, DSC) — the carbon fibre lets the PET fraction crystallise[1]205 ± 15 melting (Formfutura Centaur PP)[3]
Continuous service temperature°C77 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature, against 61 for Bambu Lab PETG Basic[22]Bounded by a melting point of 205 ± 15 °C and by the 158 °C heat deflection of the carbon-filled grade; no loaded-bar service figure is published for unfilled PP[3][6]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[1]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published for the grades surveyed[6]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Moderate — a season or two; the carbon fibre does not add UV stabilisation[30]Months outdoors before embrittlement — unstabilised polypropylene chalks under UV[4]
Chemical resistanceWithstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure, as for unfilled PETG[30]Excellent against acids, alkalis and most solvents — the usual reason to choose PP[4]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedExcellent — essentially unaffected[6]
Food contactNot certified for food contact[30]Polypropylene is a common food-packaging polymer, but no filament here carries a food-contact certification[4]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[30]Not biodegradable[4]
RecyclabilityFibre-filled PETG is not accepted in household plastic collection[30]Mechanically recyclable as resin code 5, but printed waste is not accepted in household collection[4]
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[31]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission. Inferred: no polyolefin was among the nine filaments in the Azimi chamber study, so this is a family-level judgement rather than a measurement[31]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Open a window / occasional ventilation[31]Open a window / occasional ventilation. Inferred — no polyolefin was measured in the chamber study[31]
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[24]Sands poorly — the waxy surface loads abrasive paper[21]
Painting & finishingNot documentedPaint and adhesives do not key to untreated PP; flame or plasma treatment is normally needed first[4]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds it[24]Nothing common bonds untreated PP; flame or plasma treatment is needed before adhesives key[4]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[24]No practical vapour smoothing[21]
Support material pairingSupport for PLA or its own material (Bambu Lab)[1]Prints its own supports; no soluble support is rated for PP[21]
Dimensional accuracy & detailMatte finish hides layer lines; stringing is reduced against unfilled PETG[1]Shrinkage and warping dominate; the low modulus means parts flex rather than hold tolerance[6]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inNo common workshop solvent; dichloromethane — a carcinogen — dissolves the matrix surface, 1,2-dichloroethane destroys it in a week.[32][33]None at room temperature; chloroform dissolves it at 60 °C and xylene at about 118 °C — the xylene-solubles route.[34][35]
Softened or crazed byAcetone (+16 % weight over 1 year at 23 °C), ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften it; methanol crazes it.[32]Xylene, decalin, CCl4 and chlorobenzene are heavily absorbed at 20 °C; oleum, chlorosulphonic acid and bromine destroy it.[34]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane reaches only the resin, so the fibre is left standing proud of the surface. Controlled carcinogen.[33]None — nothing softens PP at room temperature, so joints have to be welded thermally rather than chemically.[34]

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. Centaur PP Technical Data Sheet Formfutura · 2026-08 · tds
  4. PP — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  5. CarbonX Carbon Fiber PETG Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  6. Prusament PP Carbon Fiber Technical Datasheet v1.0 Prusa Polymers · 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. SUNLU product catalogue SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. Fiberlogy PP Natural — product page 3DJake International · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. Reli3D Low Warp PP Filament 1.75 mm 1 kg Black — Amazon listing Amazon.com · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. IEMAI 3D PP 3D Printing Filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. ELEGOO product catalogue ELEGOO · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  20. PP filament listing 3DJake International · 2026-08 · vendor
  21. Polypropylene — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  22. BambuLab PETG Basic vs Translucent vs PETG-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  23. Prusament PP Glass Fiber Technical Datasheet v1.0 Prusa Polymers · 2024-11 · tds
  24. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  25. CARBONX PETG+CF — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  26. Composite materials filled with carbon, kevlar or glass Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  27. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  28. TECAFINE PP natural — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  29. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  30. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  31. 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
  32. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  33. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  34. Pro-fax and Moplen polypropylene — Chemical Resistance Guide (20, 60 and 100 °C) LyondellBasell · 2026-08 · tds
  35. US 5,278,282 Polymer recycling by selective dissolution — xylene dissolution temperatures Nauman & Lynch, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute · 1994-01 · paper