3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PPA-CF vs PVA

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

PPA-CF (carbon-fibre polyphthalamide) guidePVA (soluble support) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PPA-CF comparisonsMore PVA comparisons
PPA-CF vs PVA — documented properties and sources
PropertyPPA-CF (carbon-fibre polyphthalamide)PAPVA (soluble support)SUPPORT
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$84.99/kg median; $21.99–$266.67/kg across 7 dated product listings$65.98/kg median; $42.00–$96.00/kg across 5 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPolyphthalamide — semi-aromatic nylon — with 10–15 wt% chopped carbon fibre; Bambu Lab lists the composition as semi-aromatic nylon plus carbon fibre, Raise3D and Siraya Tech state 15 wt%, Flashforge 10 %[1][2][3][4]Polyvinyl alcohol — a water-soluble support polymer[5][6]
Densityg/cm³1.15 (Raise3D) to 1.25 (Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D), ISO 1183; Flashforge 1.21–1.23[1][2][3][7]0.6–0.9 (3DXTech AquaTek, ISO 1183) and 1.13 (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[5][6]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools span 22–267; the middle of the market is about 85[8][9][10][11][12][13]1 kg-equivalent spools span 42–96; the middle of the market is about 66[14][15][16][17]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg22–267 across brands; CHCKX 22 on Amazon, IEMAI 3D 51, Siraya Tech 57 and 85, Bambu Lab 200 at 750 g, Raise3D 209, 3DXTech CarbonX HTN+CF 267 at 750 g[8][9][10][18][11][12][13]42–96 across brands; IEMAI 3D E-WATER 42, YXPOLYER 55, Reli3D 66 at 500 g, Polymaker PolyDissolve S1 67 at 750 g, 3DXTech AquaTek 96 at 750 g in 1.75 mm[14][15][16][19][17]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[8][9][10][11][12]Stocked by most mainstream brands[14][15][16][19][17]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 750 g, 1 kg, 2 kg and 2.5 kg spools[1][10][12]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5 and 0.75 kg spools[14][15]
Typical applicationsUnder-bonnet automotive brackets, jigs and end-use parts that must stay stiff above the 100 °C working ceiling of PA6-CF[2][3]Dissolvable support for PLA, TPU, PVB and PETG — Polymaker names those four for PolyDissolve S1[6]
Diameter tolerance± mm0.05 (Bambu Lab and Siraya Tech, 1.75 mm)[1][4]Not documented
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C280–310 (Bambu Lab and CHCKX); 280–320 (Siraya Tech)[1][4][13]215–225 (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[6]
Bed temperature°C100–120 (Bambu Lab and CHCKX); Siraya Tech runs cooler at 70–90[1][4][13]25–60 (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[6]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive) — Bambu Lab specifies a 50–80 °C chamber and Siraya Tech requires an enclosure, while Flashforge states its LUVOCOM-based grade prints on machines with no heated chamber[1][3][10]Open frame is fine[6]
Recommended chamber temperature°C50–80 (Bambu Lab); specimens were printed at a 52 °C chamber and Bambu Lab notes 70–80 °C raises Z properties[1]Not documented
Part cooling fanBambu Lab turns the part fan on; Siraya Tech runs it off[1][4]Part cooling fan required (Simplify3D)[20]
Bed surface & adhesion aidSmooth or textured PEI plate with a glue stick, or a PVP glue coating[1][4]PEI sheet or painter's tape[20]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s8–12 mm³/s at 300–320 °C (Siraya Tech)[4]4–12 at Polymaker's 50–150 mm/s on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[6]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Not documentedSticks to most surfaces[20]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Not documentedModerate — retraction tuning needed[20]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning; a 320 °C hot end and a hardened nozzle are the entry requirements[1][4]Intermediate — dry filament and a tuned profile; PVA is unusable once it has taken up moisture[21][6]
Extruder requirementNot documentedA second extruder or a tool changer; PVA is a support material, not a model material[6]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required — Siraya Tech and CHCKX specify hardened steel or better, Raise3D warns brass wears quickly[2][4][13]Brass fine indefinitely[6]
Abrasiveness1–5Highly abrasive — standard CF/GF composites and glow fills[2][4]Non-abrasive[6]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; Siraya Tech states nozzles below 0.4 mm will clog[4][10]Very high — frequent jams without careful setup; wet PVA foams and carbonises in the nozzle[21]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Not documentedHigh — all-metal hotend and strong cooling needed; Simplify3D warns PVA clogs if the nozzle is left hot while not extruding[20]
Hotend requirementNot documentedNo special hot-end required, but the nozzle must not be parked hot[20]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5High (0.8–2 %) — 1.30 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH for Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D against 2.35 % for the same makers' PA6-CF, which is the whole reason to pay for PPA[1][7][22]Very high (>2 %) — Polymaker measures 10.21 % equilibrium water absorption, by far the highest in the dataset[6]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%1.30 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D) against 2.35 for their PA6-CF; Siraya Tech 1.37 and 1.09 by ISO 62, Raise3D 0.6 by ISO 62 Method 1, Flashforge below 0.1 at 23 °C / 24 h[1][2][3][4][23][7][22]10.21 equilibrium water absorption (Polymaker PolyDissolve S1)[6]
Drying temperature & time100–140 °C for 8–12 h (Bambu Lab, hotter is better within that range); Siraya Tech 100 °C for 4–6 h; Raise3D 80–100 °C for 6–12 h[1][2][4]Not documented
Symptoms when wetNot documentedBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface; with PVA this progresses to clogging[21]
Effect of moisture on strengthNot documentedPolymaker groups PVA with nylon as the most moisture-prone class and says it often has to stay in a dryer while printing; there is no published dry-versus-conditioned strength comparison because PVA is not a structural material[21]
Storage requirementSealed below 20 % RH with desiccant (Bambu Lab); Raise3D keeps the spool in a dry box throughout the print[1][2]Sealed with desiccant at all times; PVA takes up water faster than any other filament here[21][6]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa95–168 (printed XY, ISO 527): Siraya Tech 95, Flashforge 108–112, Siraya Tech Core 112, Raise3D 122 conditioned and annealed, Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D 168[1][2][3][4][23][7]Not documented
Young's modulusMPa7100–11800 (printed XY): Flashforge 7100–8000, Raise3D and Siraya Tech 7800, Siraya Tech Core 9300, Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D 11800[1][2][3][4][23][7]Not documented
Elongation at break%1.9–5 at break (printed XY): Raise3D 1.9, Siraya Tech 2, Siraya Tech Core 2.25, Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D 3.2, Flashforge 3.5–5[1][2][3][4][23][7]Not documented
Flexural strengthMPa145–221 (printed XY, ISO 178): Siraya Tech 145, Siraya Tech Core 178, Raise3D 190, Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D 208, Flashforge 210–221[1][2][3][4][23][7]Not documented
Flexural modulusMPa6500–9860 (printed XY, ISO 178): Flashforge 6500–7000, Siraya Tech 6800, Raise3D 8510, Siraya Tech Core 8700, Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D 9860[1][2][3][4][23][7]Not documented
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²6.5 notched Charpy XY (Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D, ISO 179); Raise3D 7.8 and Siraya Tech 11 by ISO 179 without stating notched[1][2][4][7]Not documented
Other impact dataBambu Lab and IEMAI 3D unnotched Charpy 41.7 kJ/m² XY against 4.3 in Z; Flashforge Izod 9–11 kJ/m² XY against 2.5–3 in Z[1][3][7]Not documented
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa57 printed Z (Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D, ISO 527); Raise3D measures 30.2 by a custom mono-layer method[1][2][7]Not documented
Brittleness1–5Brittle — snaps with little warning; 2–3 % elongation at break is typical[1][2][4]Not documented
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Good — Flashforge cites outstanding creep resistance at high temperature and Raise3D high creep resistance, both against other nylons[2][3]Poor — deforms under load at room temperature; PVA is not used structurally[5]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Not documentedPoor — fails after a few cycles[5]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Not documented
Z strength as % of XY%34 (Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D, Z against XY tensile, ISO 527)[1][7]Not documented
Wear resistance & frictionNot documented3DXTech marks tensile strength, modulus and elongation as not applicable for its PVA support grade — it is not characterised as a structural material[5]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C188–227 (ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa): Raise3D 188, Flashforge 220, Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D 227; Siraya Tech reaches 192–199 only after annealing, 84.5–97 unannealed[1][2][3][4][23][7]Not documented
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C113–196 (ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa): Raise3D 113, Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D 196; Siraya Tech reaches 119–126 only after annealing, 82.5–84 unannealed[1][2][4][23][7]Not documented
Glass transition (Tg)°C80 (Siraya Tech, ASTM D3418) to 85 (Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D, DSC)[1][4][7]60 (3DXTech AquaTek, DSC)[5]
Melting point / Vicat°CMelting point 231 (Raise3D) to 258 (Bambu Lab and IEMAI 3D); Vicat softening 230–238 (ISO 306)[1][2][4][23][7]Not documented
Continuous service temperature°C120 (Flashforge, IEC 60216, LUVOCOM PPA-CF)[3]Bounded by a glass transition of 60 °C[5]
Annealing responseBambu Lab anneals at 120–140 °C for 6–12 h; Raise3D at 80–100 °C for 8 h and warns of up to 0.5 % Z shrinkage. On Siraya Tech's grades annealing lifts HDT at 0.45 MPa from 84.5 to 192 °C while notched Charpy falls from 11 to 6.3 kJ/m²[1][2][4]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; Bambu Lab lists water, carbon oxides and nitrogen oxides as combustion products. No UL 94 rating is published for the filament grades surveyed[1]Flammable; no UL 94 rating published[5]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Not documentedDegrades within weeks outdoors, and dissolves in rain long before UV matters[6]
Chemical resistanceBetter than general nylon against weak acids, weak alkalis, most organic solvents and most oils and greases (Bambu Lab); not resistant to strong acids or strong alkalis[1]Dissolves in water; unusable in any wet or humid service environment[6][20]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Good — minor absorption; 1.3 % saturated moisture is roughly half what PA6-CF takes up[1][22]Dissolves or disintegrates — by design[6][5]
Food contactNot documentedNot offered as a food-contact material[5]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot documentedPVA is water-soluble and biodegrades in wastewater treatment, but Simplify3D notes disposal should follow local guidance[20]
RecyclabilityNot documentedDissolved PVA goes to drain rather than to recycling[20]
Electrical & ESD propertiesFlashforge's data sheet gives a surface resistance of 10³ Ω or below (IEC 60093) for its LUVOCOM-based PPA-CF — the carbon loading makes it conductive rather than merely dissipative[3]Surface resistance above 10^13 ohm/sq (ASTM D257, 3DXTech AquaTek PVA)[5]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Not documentedLow hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission; none of these materials was in the chamber study[24]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Not documentedOpen a window / occasional ventilation[24]
Dust & fibre handling hazardChopped carbon fibre; dry sanding and cutting release respirable fibre-laden dust[25]Not documented
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningNot documentedNot sanded — it is dissolved away rather than finished[20]
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedNot applicable — PVA is a sacrificial support[20]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNot documentedWater is the solvent; no vapour smoothing is used[6]
Support material pairingBambu Lab pairs it with Support for PA/PET; Raise3D warns that PPA-CF used as its own support bonds permanently to the model once it takes up moisture, so supports must come off before annealing[1][2]This is the support material; Polymaker pairs PolyDissolve S1 with PLA, TPU, PVB and PETG[6]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inFormic acid, phenol, m-cresol and hexafluoroisopropanol dissolve the matrix at 23 °C, leaving the fibre; laboratory reagents.[26]Water — tap water works cold, warm moving water is faster; 6–12 h typical, changing the water every few hours.[27][28]
Softened or crazed byZinc chloride solutions stress-crack the nylon matrix, alcoholic calcium chloride dissolves it, mineral acids attack it.[26]Nothing else: polyvinyl alcohol resists organic solvents, so an IPA or acetone rinse leaves the support intact.[29]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone — nylon's only solvents (formic acid, phenol, HFIP) degrade the part, and the fibre blocks surface flow anyway.[26]None — water dissolves PVA rather than welding it, and no solvent gives it a smoothed surface.[27]

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 V1.0 — PPA-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  2. Raise3D Industrial PPA CF Technical Data Sheet V2.0 Raise3D · 2022-04 · tds
  3. Flashforge PPA-CF Filament Technical Data Sheet (LUVOCOM PPA-CF, 10 % carbon fibre) Flashforge · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA-CF Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  5. AquaTek PVA Water Soluble Support Technical Data Sheet v1.0 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  6. PolyDissolve S1 Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  7. IEMAI 3D CF-PPA Technical Data Sheet IEMAI 3D · 2025-04 · tds
  8. PPA-CF — Bambu Lab US Store Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Raise3D Industrial PPA CF Filament 1.75 mm (1 kg) — product listing MatterHackers · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Fibreheart PPA-CF Filament — product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. IEMAI 3D CF-PPA 3D Printing Filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. CARBONX HTN+CF — product page 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. CHCKX PPA-CF 3D Printing Filament Matte Black 1 kg 1.75 mm 10 % Carbon Fiber — Amazon listing Amazon.com · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. YXPOLYER PVA 1 kg — product page YXPOLYER · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. IEMAI 3D E-WATER water-soluble support filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA-CF Core Filament — product page Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. Reli3D PVA Filament 1.75 mm 500 g Natural — Amazon listing Amazon.com · 2026-08 · vendor
  20. PVA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  21. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PA6-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  23. Siraya Tech Fibreheart PPA-CF Core Technical Data Sheet Siraya Tech · 2026-08 · tds
  24. 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
  25. PET-CF / PPA-CF / PPS-CF / PA6-CF carbon fibre filament usage guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  26. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  27. PolyDissolve S1 — Polymaker Wiki Polymaker · 2026-08 · doc
  28. 3DXTech AquaTek PVA product page 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  29. Polyvinyl alcohol — KURARAY POVAL application guide Kuraray · 2026-08 · tds