PET
PET-CF filament and glass fibre PET-GF for engineers and advanced makers printing brackets, tooling and fixtures that must stay rigid when things heat up, made from semi-crystalline PET rather than the PETG you may already know.
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PET-CF filament explained: PET is not PETG
The names look almost identical, but PET and PETG print and perform very differently. PETG is PET with a glycol modification added to the recipe. That modification stops the polymer chains packing into ordered crystals, which is exactly what makes PETG so easy to print at modest temperatures, and also why it softens relatively early: our PETG+ lists a heat deflection temperature (HDT) of 68°C.
PET without the glycol modification is a semi-crystalline engineering polymer. It runs hotter and stiffer, with better heat resistance and dimensional stability. Our PET range is reinforced, with carbon fibre for stiffness in PET-CF and glass fibre for stability in PET-GF.
PET-CF vs PET-GF
| Feature | PET-CF | PET-GF |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle / bed | 260-290°C / 70-100°C (280°C / 90°C recommended) | See the product page |
| Speed | 40-150mm/s (80mm/s recommended) | See the product page |
| HDT | 205°C | See the product page |
| Tensile strength | 75-85 MPa | See the product page |
| Drying | 100°C for at least 5 hours | See the product page |
| Colours | Carbon Fibre Black | Natural or Black |
| Best for | Stiff, heat resistant structural parts | Brackets, housings, tooling and fixtures that need stability |
PET-CF is 90% PET and 10% carbon fibre, with a ±0.05mm tolerance, flexural strength of 140 to 150 MPa and moisture absorption under 0.3% over 24 hours. Its elongation at break is only 4 to 5%, so think of it as a rigid material, not a flexible one. PET-GF settings are not in our data yet, but its product copy describes stronger, more stable parts with less warping than standard PETG, while remaining easier to print than many engineering materials.
PET-CF vs PETG-CF vs PA-CF
| Material | HDT | Tensile strength | Drying |
|---|---|---|---|
| PET-CF | 205°C | 75-85 MPa | 100°C, at least 5 hours |
| PETG-CF | 70°C | 40-43 MPa | 70°C, at least 5 hours |
| PA6-CF | 200°C | 60-65 MPa | 80°C, at least 12 hours |
| PA12-CF | 90°C | 50-55 MPa | 80°C, at least 12 hours |
Choose PET-CF filament over PETG-CF when a part sits near heat or carries load, since the HDT gap is 135°C. Choose it over PA-CF when you want a heat rating in the same league as PA6-CF with much shorter drying and a material that is far less moisture sensitive than nylon. Choose PA-CF instead when a part needs nylon's toughness and wear resistance. Our carbon fibre filament range has every option side by side.
How to print reinforced PET filament
- Hardened steel nozzle: glass fibre is abrasive and can quickly wear a brass nozzle, so our PET-GF data recommends hardened steel. Use one for carbon fibre PET-CF too.
- Dry properly: PET-CF needs 100°C for at least 5 hours, hotter than many food dehydrators reach, so check your dryer first. For PET-GF, follow the product page.
- Bed temperature: run PET-CF on a 70 to 100°C bed, starting at the recommended 90°C.
- Anneal PET-CF: our data recommends 3 hours at 80 to 100°C after printing for best results. Read why annealing 3D printed parts matters before you start.
- Feeding: load PET-GF manually or from a dry box, because the abrasive fibre can wear AMS feeder gears and tubing.
Buying PET filament from OzFDM
PET-CF and PET-GF are 1kg rolls that count toward volume pricing when mixed with our glass fibre, engineering or any other 1kg filament: 5% off 3 or more, 10% off 6 or more, 15% off 12 or more, or 20% off a full carton of 12 in one colour and material. The PET-CF product page also has a downloadable technical data sheet.
PET-CF filament FAQs
What is the difference between PET and PETG filament?
PETG is PET with a glycol modification that keeps it from crystallising, which makes it easy to print but limits heat resistance. PET without that modification is semi-crystalline, prints hotter and delivers more stiffness, heat resistance and dimensional stability. That is why our PET-CF lists an HDT of 205°C, while our PETG filament sits between 68 and 74°C.
Is PET-CF better than PETG-CF?
For heat and strength, yes. PET-CF lists an HDT of 205°C and tensile strength of 75 to 85 MPa, against 70°C and 40 to 43 MPa for PETG-CF. PETG-CF is easier to live with: it prints at 230 to 250°C, dries at 70°C and suits general functional parts. Choose PET-CF for parts near engines, motors or other heat sources.
Do I need to anneal PET-CF parts?
Our product data recommends annealing PET-CF for 3 hours at 80 to 100°C after printing for best results. Use an oven with accurate temperature control, support the part so it cannot sag, and trial the process on a test piece before annealing a finished part. Parts that will never see much heat or load may be fine as printed.
Why does PET-CF need drying at 100°C?
Moisture absorption for PET-CF is low, under 0.3% over 24 hours, but any absorbed water still causes defects when printing at 260 to 290°C. Our data specifies 100°C for at least 5 hours, which is hotter than the 70°C used for PETG. Many food dehydrators and basic dryers cannot reach that, so confirm your dryer's maximum before buying.
Can I use PET-GF in a Bambu Lab AMS?
Do not assume it will work. The glass fibre is abrasive and can wear internal feeder gears and tubing, and AMS Lite is generally not recommended for third party glass fibre filament. Compatibility with a standard AMS depends on the system and its approved materials. For the most reliable results, load PET-GF manually from an external spool holder or a compatible dry box.