PET-CF
Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polyethylene Terephthalate
8 products from 7 makers. Bambu Lab sells its own filament of this material for the H2C.
- Tensile modulus (XY)
- 5.11GPa
- 4 products · middle half 4.45–6.36
- Tensile strength (XY)
- 70MPa
- 4 products · middle half 60.7–74.3
- Tensile strength (Z)
- 31.4MPa
- 2 products · 27.9–35
- Notched Charpy impact
- 5.4kJ/m²
- 3 products · 5.1–8.6
- HDT at 0.45 MPa
- 124°C
- 6 products · middle half 90–149
- Price
- 113CAD/kg
- 3 products · 70–116
PET-CF is carbon-fibre-filled polyethylene terephthalate. A maker sells it for jigs, fixtures and functional parts, and Bambu Lab for load-bearing structures in hot, humid environments. Its HDT at 0.45 MPa is 124 °C, and a part keeps about 45 % of its flat tensile strength across the layers. On the H2C it needs a hardened nozzle, and makers call for drying and for annealing.
Partly documented Tensile strength (Z) rests on 2 products, notched Charpy impact and price on 3 products each and tensile modulus (XY) and tensile strength (XY) on 4 products each. Each figure is the median of the products that publish it comparably, and beside it the middle half of them; a value on a test bar no document describes as printed, or with no stated test load, is set apart, except a heat deflection of a plastic that cannot crystallise, which its glass transition sets, unless its document points to a moulded or resin bar.
On the H2C
Printing in full- Nozzle
- 260–270 °C
- most products that give one
- Bed
- 70–85 °C
- most products that give one
- Heated chamber
- none needed
- 6 of 8 products
- Drying
- 65–100 °C, 4–16 h
- 7 of 8 products call for it; 1 more gives it as optional
- Nozzle type
- hardened
- 2 of 8 products' sheets ask for one; the Bambu Lab Filament Guide says hardened for 6 more
No product's setting is beyond the H2C's limits: nozzle 350 °C, bed 120 °C, heated chamber 65 °C.
Among the materials
Against PET, PET-CF is 2.3 times as stiff and 20 % stronger flat. Against PET-GF, PET-CF is 62 % more expensive, 24 % stiffer and 8 % weaker across the layers. Among the materials, PET-CF has a high tensile modulus (XY), tensile strength (XY) and density, and a low notched Charpy impact: each is in the top or bottom quarter of the materials that publish it. The rest of its key properties sit in the middle half.
Against its alternatives, PET-CF has the highest tensile modulus
How does it compare with what an engineer would buy instead?
- PET-CF: its products' median and middle half
- an alternative
- lowest to highest
- each material's median (top row)
Each row is a material, each column a property: the bar is the middle half of a material's products, the tick their median, the hairline their lowest to highest; the ticks above the rows are every material's median.
The figure as a table
| Material | Modulus (XY) (GPa) | Strength (XY) (MPa) | Strength (Z) (MPa) | Notched Charpy (kJ/m²) | HDT 0.45 MPa (°C) | Price (CAD/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PET-CF (this material) | 5.11 (4.45–6.36) · 4 | 70 (60.7–74.3) · 4 | 31.4 · 2 | 5.4 · 3 | 124 (90–149) · 6 | 113 · 3 |
| PET | 2.25 · 2 | 58.4 · 2 | — | 1.2 · 1 | 89 · 1 | 115 · 1 |
| PET-GF | 4.13 · 3 | 70.9 (68.1–72.3) · 4 | 34 · 3 | 6.56 · 1 | 120 · 3 | 69 · 2 |
| ASA-CF | 3.91 (2.35–4.43) · 6 | 39.1 (39–45.8) · 7 | 27.5 (23–30.3) · 4 | 5.76 · 3 | 101 (97–103) · 5 | 65 (54–120) · 5 |
| PA12-CF | 3.31 (1.97–8) · 5 | 65 (48.5–79.5) · 8 | 33.1 · 2 | 16.3 (13.7–17.8) · 4 | 131 (111–160) · 7 | 300 · 1 |
| PA6-CF | 4.37 (4.09–4.61) · 6 | 70 (62.3–104) · 8 | 48 · 3 | 13.4 · 3 | 193 (185–202) · 6 | 130 (113–160) · 4 |
Each cell is the median of the products ranked, its middle half in brackets, and how many.
Where PET-CF sits among the 128 rigid materials on file
Where is it in the landscape: stiffness against strength, heat resistance against price?
- PET-CF: median, middle half as a cross
- a PET-CF product
- an alternative
- another material
- beyond the scale
Tensile strength (XY) against tensile modulus (XY)
MPa, log scale
Tensile modulus (XY), GPa, log scale
HDT at 0.45 MPa against price
°C
Price, CAD/kg, log scale
Grey points are every other rigid material's medians; the alternatives are named.
The figure as a table
| Material | Tensile modulus (XY) | Tensile strength (XY) | Price | HDT at 0.45 MPa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PET-CF (this material) | 5.11 GPa · 4 | 70 MPa · 4 | 113 CAD/kg · 3 | 124 °C · 6 |
| PET | 2.25 GPa · 2 | 58.4 MPa · 2 | 115 CAD/kg · 1 | 89 °C · 1 |
| PET-GF | 4.13 GPa · 3 | 70.9 MPa · 4 | 69 CAD/kg · 2 | 120 °C · 3 |
| ASA-CF | 3.91 GPa · 6 | 39.1 MPa · 7 | 65 CAD/kg · 5 | 101 °C · 5 |
| PA12-CF | 3.31 GPa · 5 | 65 MPa · 8 | 300 CAD/kg · 1 | 131 °C · 7 |
| PA6-CF | 4.37 GPa · 6 | 70 MPa · 8 | 130 CAD/kg · 4 | 193 °C · 6 |
Mechanical properties
Printed flat (XY), PET-CF typically reaches a tensile strength of 70 MPa at a modulus of 5.11 GPa, and breaks at 4.25 % elongation. In bending, its flexural strength is typically 120 MPa at a flexural modulus of 5.32 GPa.
PET-CF's products spread most in tensile modulus: the middle half runs 4.45–6.36 GPa
How strong, stiff and tough are its products, and which stand out?
- a product
- set apart: test bar not described as printed, or no stated load
- measured after annealing
- middle half and median
One mark per product on each property's scale (zoomed where its products sit close together, as its label says); the band is the middle half of the products the median counts, and the line the median.
Hover or select a product to find it in every figure; its name opens its card on the Products page.
The figure as a table
| Property | In the median | Median | Middle half | Lowest in the median | Highest in the median | As published | Added filler or additive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength (XY) (MPa) | 4 | 70 | 60.7–74.3 | Flashforge PET-CF, 45 | SIDDAMENT PET CF, 75 | 1 | 0 |
| Tensile modulus (XY) (GPa) | 4 | 5.11 | 4.45–6.36 | Flashforge PET-CF, 3.6 | Spectrum PET CF15, 9 | 0 | 0 |
| Elongation at break (XY) (%) | 4 | 4.25 | 3.6–4.88 | Polymaker Fiberon PET-CF17, 2.4 | Flashforge PET-CF, 6 | 0 | 0 |
Every PET-CF product that publishes these values is drawn; each value, with its document and conditions, is on the Products page.
| Product | Tensile strength (Z) | Notched Charpy impact | Notched Izod impact | Shore D hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bambu Lab PET-CF | 35 MPaafter annealing | 8.6 kJ/m²after annealing | not published | not published |
| Polymaker Fiberon PET-CF17 | 27.9 MPaafter annealing | 5.1 kJ/m²after annealing | not published | not published |
| Flashforge PET-CF | not published | not published | 5 kJ/m² | not published |
| BASF Forward AM Ultrafuse PET | not published | 5.4 kJ/m² | not published | 67 Shore D |
Across the layers (Z), PET-CF keeps 45 % of its flat strength and 55 % of its flat stiffness
What does a printed part lose across the layers (Z) against flat (XY), and is that usual?
- a product
- measured after annealing
- equal share: 100, 75, 50 and 25 %
- PET-CF's median share
- an alternative
Tensile strength
Z keeps 45 % of XY, median of 2 products
flat (XY), MPa
Share kept: ASA-CF 60 % · PA6-CF 49 % · PET-GF 48 % · PA12-CF 46 % · PET-CF 45 %
Tensile modulus
Z keeps 55 % of XY, median of 2 products
flat (XY), GPa
Share kept: PET-GF 80 % · ASA-CF 56 % · PET-CF 55 % · PA12-CF 55 % · PA6-CF 46 %
Elongation at break
Z keeps 43 % of XY, median of 2 products
flat (XY), %
Share kept: PA12-CF 106 % · ASA-CF 91 % · PA6-CF 77 % · PET-GF 45 % · PET-CF 43 %
Each point is a product that publishes both from one sheet: below the 100 % ray it keeps less across the layers than flat. Under each plot, the median share its alternatives' products keep.
The figure as a table
| Product | Property | Flat (XY) | Across (Z) | Z as a share of XY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bambu Lab PET-CF | Tensile strength | 74 MPa | 35 MPa | 47 % |
| Polymaker Fiberon PET-CF17 | Tensile strength | 65.9 MPa | 27.9 MPa | 42 % |
| Bambu Lab PET-CF | Tensile modulus | 4.73 GPa | 2.16 GPa | 46 % |
| Polymaker Fiberon PET-CF17 | Tensile modulus | 5.48 GPa | 3.56 GPa | 65 % |
| Bambu Lab PET-CF | Elongation at break | 4.5 % | 2.4 % | 53 % |
| Polymaker Fiberon PET-CF17 | Elongation at break | 2.4 % | 0.8 % | 33 % |
| PET-GF (alternative) | Tensile strength | 48 % · 3 | ||
| ASA-CF (alternative) | Tensile strength | 60 % · 4 | ||
| PA12-CF (alternative) | Tensile strength | 46 % · 2 | ||
| PA6-CF (alternative) | Tensile strength | 49 % · 3 | ||
| PET-GF (alternative) | Tensile modulus | 80 % · 3 | ||
| ASA-CF (alternative) | Tensile modulus | 56 % · 4 | ||
| PA12-CF (alternative) | Tensile modulus | 55 % · 1 | ||
| PA6-CF (alternative) | Tensile modulus | 46 % · 2 | ||
| PET-GF (alternative) | Elongation at break | 45 % · 3 | ||
| ASA-CF (alternative) | Elongation at break | 91 % · 3 | ||
| PA12-CF (alternative) | Elongation at break | 106 % · 2 | ||
| PA6-CF (alternative) | Elongation at break | 77 % · 2 |
Flat and across the layers, property by property
Flat and across the layers
| Property | Printed flat (XY) | Across the layers (Z) | Z as a share of XY | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Median | Products | Median | Products | ||
| Tensile strength MPa | 7060.7–74.3 | 4 | 31.4 | 2 | 45 %2 products |
| Tensile modulus GPa | 5.114.45–6.36 | 4 | 2.86 | 2 | 55 %2 products |
| Elongation at break % | 4.253.6–4.88 | 4 | 1.6 | 2 | 43 %2 products |
| Flexural strength MPa | 120109–133 | 4 | 46.2 | 2 | 39 %2 products |
| Flexural modulus GPa | 5.324.74–5.45 | 5 | 2.49 | 2 | 50 %2 products |
The middle half of the products under each median. The share is each product's Z value as a part of its XY value, from one sheet and one state, and the median of those shares. How XY and Z differ.
Thermal properties
PET-CF's HDT is typically 124 °C under 0.45 MPa and 105 °C under 1.8 MPa, against a glass transition of 75–79 °C. As published, Vicat softening is typically 226 °C and melting typically 245 °C.
Most PET-CF products deflect at 90–149 °C under 0.45 MPa
Where do its products soften under load?
- a product
- measured after annealing
- middle half and median
- beyond the scale
The figure as a table
| Property | In the median | Median | Middle half | Lowest in the median | Highest in the median | As published | Added filler or additive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDT at 0.45 MPa (°C) | 6 | 124 | 90–149 | BASF Forward AM Ultrafuse PET CF15, 74 | Bambu Lab PET-CF, 205 | 0 | 0 |
| HDT at 1.8 MPa (°C) | 5 | 105 | 77–110 | BASF Forward AM Ultrafuse PET CF15, 72 | Bambu Lab PET-CF, 182 | 0 | 0 |
Every PET-CF product that publishes these values is drawn; each value, with its document and conditions, is on the Products page.
| Product | Glass transition (Tg) |
|---|---|
| Bambu Lab PET-CF | 75 °Cafter annealing |
| Polymaker Fiberon PET-CF17 | 79 °C |
| BASF Forward AM Ultrafuse PET | 79 °C |
Printing on the H2C
PET-CF prints within the H2C's limits and softens near 124 °C, above its 65 °C chamber
What does printing it on the H2C take, and how hot can a part get?
- share of the products that accept each temperature
- what most products accept
- the H2C's limit, and beyond it
- a product
- PET-CF: its products' median and middle half
- as published, under each sheet's own test
Printing it on the H2C
In service
°C
One temperature axis for the settings a print needs and the temperatures a part meets. A setting's shade is how many of the products whose sheets give a window accept each degree; the H2C's limit closes its row.
The figure as a table
| Setting or property | Most products, or the median | Products | H2C limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nozzle | 260–270 °C | 5 | 350 °C |
| Bed | 70–85 °C | 5 | 120 °C |
| Heated chamber | 25–50 °C; 45–60 °C | 2 | 65 °C |
| Drying | 65–100 °C, 4–16 h | 6 | — |
| Glass transition (Tg) | 79 °C | 3 | — |
| HDT at 1.8 MPa | 105 °C (77–110 °C) | 5 | — |
| HDT at 0.45 MPa | 124 °C (90–149 °C) | 6 | — |
| Vicat softening temperature | 203–243 °C | 3 | — |
| Melting temperature | 241–250 °C | 3 | — |
Windows read from the Bambu Lab Filament Guide are not shaded: the guide speaks for every product that reads it.
| Setting | Most PET-CF products | Bambu Lab Filament Guide (PET-CF column) |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle | 260–270 °C most products that give one | 260 - 300 ℃ |
| Bed | 70–85 °C most products that give one | Smooth PEI Plate (70 - 100 °C) Textured PEI Plate (70 - 100 °C) Cool Plate SuperTack (60-80 °C) |
| Heated chamber | none; sheets that give one say 45–50 °C 6 of 8 products | enclosure not needed |
| Drying | 65–100 °C, 4–16 h 7 of 8 products call for it; 1 more gives it as optional | 80 °C for 8–12 h |
| Nozzle type | hardened 2 of 8 products' sheets ask for one; the Bambu Lab Filament Guide says hardened for 6 more | hardened |
Where a product's own sheet is silent, its setting comes from a sheet it shares or from the Bambu Lab Filament Guide; each product's card says which.
After printing
Four products publish values measured after annealing, on schedules from 80 °C for 12 h to 120 °C for 10 h.
We strongly recommend 120°C, 10h annealing to achieve the best performance of the material.
Polymaker Fiberon PET-CF17, data sheet, p. 1For a small size model (side length <50 mm), annealing at 80°C for 8 hours is recommended; For a medium-size model (50mm<side length <150 mm), annealing at 80°C for 12 hours is recommended; For a large size model, 100°C for at least 12 hours is recommended.
Raise3D Industrial PET CF, data sheet, p. 2After printing, it is recommended to anneal the model in an oven at 80-100°C for 8-12 hours.
Raise3D Industrial PET CF, data sheet, p. 2
What makers say about printing it
Supports and removal
If PET CF is also used as the support material, please remove the support structure after annealing.
Raise3D Industrial PET CF, data sheet, p. 2
Warping and shrinkage
After annealing, a maximum of 0.1 % dimensional shrinkage could be observed along the Z-axis, depending on infill and layer height, and no significant dimensional shrinkage along the XY-axes
Raise3D Industrial PET CF, data sheet, p. 2
More from makers: printing advice, nozzle wear, moisture sensitivity, odour and emissions and adhesion between layers
Printing advice
Before returning the prints, please confirm that the prints have been printed for more than 24h, or placed in an 80-degree oven for 2h to eliminate the internal stress after printing.
Polymaker Fiberon PET-CF17, data sheet, p. 1
Nozzle wear
Using an abrasion-resistant nozzle, such as hardened steel or a ruby nozzle, is highly recommended.
Raise3D Industrial PET CF, data sheet, p. 2
Moisture sensitivity
Dry PET CF at 70-80°C for 8-12 hours before printing, as low moisture content is crucial for final printed part quality.
Raise3D Industrial PET CF, data sheet, p. 2
Odour and emissions
Odor / Almost odorless
Raise3D Industrial PET CF, data sheet, p. 1
Adhesion between layers
interlayer adhesion, chemical resistance to lubricants & oils
Spectrum PET CF15, maker's product page or guide, p. 21
Products
8 products from 7 makers; the most from Raise3D (2).
- Most documented: Bambu Lab PET-CF, and 1 other that publishes as much.
- Highest tensile strength (XY): SIDDAMENT PET CF, 75 MPa.
- Highest HDT at 0.45 MPa: Bambu Lab PET-CF, 205 °C, measured after annealing at 80 °C for 12 h.
- Highest notched Charpy impact: Bambu Lab PET-CF, 8.6 kJ/m², measured after annealing at 80 °C for 12 h.
- Lowest price: Polymaker Fiberon PET-CF17, 70 CAD/kg.
These are published values, not recommendations: the selector judges each product against your requirements.
Uses, limitations and chemicals
What it is sold for
strong and cost-effective end-use applications, such as jigs & fixtures and functional parts.
Raise3D Industrial PET CF, data sheet, p. 1an ideal choice for engineering-grade composite parts used in many heavy-duty, humidity and high-temp applications.
Raise3D Hyper Speed PET CF, data sheet, p. 1Its excellent strength, heat resistance, dimensional stability and low moisture absorption make Bambu PET-CF an ideal choice for load-bearing structures or prints used in high temperature and humid environments.
Bambu Lab PET-CF, data sheet, p. 1
Finish and accuracy
Bambu PET-CF has excellent high temperature resistance and a soft glow appearance.
Bambu Lab PET-CF, data sheet, p. 1It demonstrates a perfect surface finish directly from the printer, thus reducing the need for further treatments.
Spectrum PET CF15, data sheet, p. 1Printed part from Hyper Speed PET CF is long-term dimensional accurate and stable with smooth matt surface finishing
Raise3D Hyper Speed PET CF, data sheet, p. 1
Chemicals and environment
| Exposure | What makers say |
|---|---|
| Flammability | Flammable, in its one statement |
| Water solubility | Insoluble, in its one statement |
| Acid resistance | Not resistant, in its one statement |
| Alkali resistance | Not resistant, in its one statement |
| Organic solvent resistance | Limited, in its one statement |
| Oil and grease resistance | Limited, in its one statement |
Makers rarely give the concentration, temperature or duration: treat them as indications, not design data. Each product's statements are on its card.
Where no maker of these products speaks to an exposure, reference data for plain PET resin is shown. Fillers, pigments and printing change it, so it does not stand for these products.
| PET resin | Verdict | Agents |
|---|---|---|
| Hydrolytic stability | not resistant | Hot water (not resistant) |
| UV and outdoor | resistant | Outdoor weathering (carbon arc X-W Weather-Ometer, Florida and Arizona exposure) (resistant) |
Density and price
PET-CF's density is typically 1,340 kg/m³, the middle half 1,300–1,370 kg/m³, across 7 products. PET-CF typically costs 113 CAD/kg, across the 3 products with a regular price in the sample; the lowest is Polymaker Fiberon PET-CF17 at 70 CAD/kg.
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Bambu Lab PET-CF | 116 CAD/kg |
| Polymaker Fiberon PET-CF17 | 70 CAD/kg |
| Raise3D Industrial PET | 113 CAD/kg |
Regular prices, never sale prices, from 9 Canadian shops and 10 foreign shops, sampled 10 Sep–20 Oct 2026, not live; shipping and tax are not included.
Other properties, as published
8 more properties are published, each under its own sheet's test conditions, so they are listed, not ranked.
The 8 properties, lowest to highest
| Property | Products | Lowest–highest |
|---|---|---|
| Fibre content | 8 | 10–20 % |
| Melt mass-flow rate | 6 | 3–31 g/10 min |
| Water absorption | 6 | 0.3–0.53 % |
| Crystallization temperature | 3 | 130–204 °C |
| Continuous service temperature | 1 | 150 °C |
| Flexural elongation at break | 1 | 0.9–3.7 % |
| Melt volume-flow rate | 1 | 25 cm³/10 min |
| Tensile strain at strength | 1 | 2.5 % |
Sources
15 documents from 7 publishers (9 data sheets, 4 makers' product pages and guides, 1 safety data sheet and 1 printer document), read 10 Sep–19 Oct 2026. Each value on PET-CF's Products page names its document and page, and links to the original.
Bambu Lab, H2C Filamant Printing Guide (the H2C's printer guide): print settings for 8 products.
The Bambu Lab Filament Guide (print settings per material type): read for 8 products whose own sheets are silent.
Every document (15), by publisher
| Publisher | Documents | Values | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Raise3D | 3 | 68 | 2 |
| Bambu Lab | 3 | 23 | 1 |
| Spectrum | 3 | 9 | 1 |
| BASF Forward AM | 1 | 37 | 1 |
| Polymaker | 1 | 23 | 1 |
| SIDDAMENT | 1 | 12 | 1 |
| Flashforge | 1 | 9 | 1 |
- Bambu Lab, Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet - PET-CF
- Bambu Lab, Bambu Lab Filament Guide
- Bambu Lab, Bambu Lab PET-CF safety data sheet
- Bambu Lab, H2C Filamant Printing Guide | Bambu Lab Wiki
- Bambu Lab, PET-CF official maker product page
- BASF Forward AM, Ultrafuse PET CF15 Extended TDS: Complete Technical Documentation and Testing Summary
- Flashforge, Technical Data Sheet PET-CF Filament
- Polymaker, Fiberon PET-CF17 Technical Data Sheet
- Raise3D, Raise3D Hyper Speed PET CF Technical Data Sheet
- Raise3D, Raise3D Industrial PET CF Technical Data Sheet
- Raise3D, Raise3D Industrial PET CF Technical Data Sheet
- SIDDAMENT, PET CF Technical Data Sheet
- Spectrum, 3D Printing Filament Manufacturer PRODUCT PORTFOLIO
- Spectrum, Spectrum Filaments Product Portfolio 2025 — Prografen pp28–29
- Spectrum, TECHNICAL DATA SHEET PET CF15