Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate vs ASA

Compare Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate and ASA filaments side-by-side so you can pick the right one for your 3D printing project.

Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate vs ASA: Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate is known for extremely stiff, while ASA is known for excellent uv resistance (outdoors indefinitely). ASA is easier to print; Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate prints at higher nozzle temperatures (270-300°C vs 220-275°C). Choose Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate for extremely stiff, or ASA for excellent uv resistance (outdoors indefinitely).

Key differences at a glance

Property
Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate
ASA
Nozzle temp
270-300°C
220-275°C
Bed temp
100-120°C
90-110°C
Enclosure needed
Required
Recommended
Ease of printing
Difficult
Moderate
Moisture sensitivity
high
moderate

Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate

A

CFPC / PC-CF

Extremely stiff; useful where flex must be minimal

ASA

A

Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate

Excellent UV resistance (outdoors indefinitely), tough, matte surface

Detailed Comparison

Property
Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate
ASA
Tier Rating
Tier A
Tier A
Family
PC
ASA
Nozzle Temp
270-300°C
220-275°C
Bed Temp
100-120°C
90-110°C
Enclosure
required
recommended
Cooling
Low cooling
Low to moderate; avoid drafts
Moisture Sensitivity
high
moderate

Green marks the generally easier or more forgiving option in that row, based on tier, enclosure needs, and moisture sensitivity. It is not always the better choice for a specific job, so weigh it against what your project actually needs.

Strengths Comparison

Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate Strengths

  • Extremely stiff; useful where flex must be minimal
  • Surprisingly affordable in some brands

ASA Strengths

  • Excellent UV resistance (outdoors indefinitely), tough, matte surface
  • Less warping than ABS; low viscosity enables very high speed printing
  • High heat tolerance (~boiling water range)

Considerations

Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate Caveats

  • Feeding can be difficult unless spool is close/direct-fed

ASA Caveats

  • Still off-gasses; enclosure/ventilation recommended
  • Can still warp; needs tuning

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate and ASA?
Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate prints at 270-300°C nozzle / 100-120°C bed (Required enclosure, high moisture sensitivity). ASA prints at 220-275°C nozzle / 90-110°C bed (Recommended enclosure, moderate moisture sensitivity).
Is Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate or ASA stronger?
Our dataset does not include comparable tensile strength values for both. Qualitatively, Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate is suited to extremely stiff, while ASA is suited to excellent uv resistance (outdoors indefinitely).
Which prints at a higher temperature, Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate or ASA?
Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate prints at a higher temperature (270-300°C nozzle vs 220-275°C for ASA).
Is Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate or ASA better for beginners?
ASA is better for beginners: enclosure is recommended and moisture sensitivity is moderate, vs required enclosure and high moisture for Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate.
Should I use Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate or ASA for outdoor use?
For outdoor use, ASA is usually the better fit (Excellent UV resistance (outdoors indefinitely)). Choose Carbon Fiber Polycarbonate instead when extremely stiff.

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