Polymaker Fiberon PA12-CF10 vs SUNLU PA12-CF

Who this comparison is for

This page is for anyone choosing between two specific spools: Polymaker Fiberon PA12-CF10 in Black (1.75 mm, 500 g, SKU FG04001) and SUNLU PA12-CF in Black (1 kg, US SKU DLZ-US-SL-PA12CF-BK-1KG). Polymaker also sells a 3 kg spool, but not 1 kg, so the SUNLU spool here holds twice as much filament as the Polymaker one. Both are engineering nylons for stiff, low-moisture parts, a step up from PETG-CF in hotend heat, drying, and post-processing. If you haven't printed nylon before, read our nylon filament guide first. For more options, see the carbon fiber filament shortlist. For a PA6-based carbon-fiber nylon, see Fiberon PA6-CF20 vs ELEGOO PAHT-CF.

How we compared them

This is a research-based comparison. Every figure below comes from Polymaker's product page, data sheet, wiki page, and FAQ, SUNLU's store page, product page, data sheet, and wiki, and Bambu Lab's AMS and filament documentation, all listed in the sources. We haven't tested either filament, so nothing here is a measured result of ours. Where a maker describes its own product, such as Polymaker's "Warp-free™ Technology" or SUNLU's "Nylon 12 is the lowest water absorption of nylon consumables," we label it as the maker's claim.

Print settings are each maker's guidance, so they sit together in the table below. Both makers use ISO test methods, but their specimens were printed and treated differently, and Polymaker uses Charpy impact tests where SUNLU uses Izod. So we list each maker's test figures on its own rather than set them head to head.

Side-by-side specs

Hotend and nozzle come first

Both filaments are abrasive. Polymaker's data sheet says "Abrasion of the brass nozzle happens frequently" with this filament, that "the life of a brass nozzle would be approximately 9h," and that "A wear-resistance nozzle, such as hardened steel and ruby nozzle, is highly recommended." Its product page lists "0.4mm+ hardened nozzle required." SUNLU's store page says "Printing PA12-CF with copper nozzles is susceptible to wear and tear. It is recommended to use wear-resistant nozzles, e.g. hardened steel nozzles." SUNLU doesn't give a minimum nozzle size.

Hotend temperature is the practical split. Polymaker's data sheet, print settings, and wiki say 280–300 °C. Its product page specification panel says 260–300 °C, but the same page's printing requirements open with "All-metal hotend 280˚C+," so plan for 280 °C. SUNLU lists 260–280 °C everywhere, though its data sheet says its own test specimens were printed at 290 °C. The two makers' recommended windows overlap only at 280 °C. If your hotend's documented maximum is below 280 °C, Polymaker's own requirement rules its filament out.

On a Bambu Lab printer, Bambu's filament guide says to always use a hardened steel nozzle for fiber-filled filament, never a 0.2 mm one, and names a 0.6 mm hardened steel nozzle as first choice for fiber filament that isn't one of its own specially designed grades, with a 0.4 mm one second at a maximum speed of about 100 mm/s. Our abrasive filament nozzle guide covers the options.

Bed, fan, and enclosure: two different approaches

This is where the two makers' guidance pulls apart.

Polymaker keeps everything cool.

SUNLU runs the bed warmer and the fan on.

Bambu's own filament guide lists PA-CF/GF among materials that "Require higher heatbed and chamber temperatures to suppress warping and layer separation," and rates them "Not Recommended" on open-frame printers. That's Bambu's general guidance for its printers. Polymaker's warp-free approach is the filament maker's specific advice for this filament, so start from the filament maker's settings. Our enclosure planning guide covers what an enclosure does and doesn't do.

Speed

Polymaker's data sheet and print settings say "up to 300mm/s," and its wiki gives 30–300 mm/s, but the specification panel on the product page gives a maximum of 60 mm/s. Polymaker doesn't explain the gap or name the nozzle size behind either figure. SUNLU gives 60–100 mm/s in all three of its documents. Bambu's figure of about 100 mm/s for fiber filament on a 0.4 mm hardened nozzle is closer to SUNLU's range and Polymaker's 60 mm/s than to 300 mm/s. Treat any top speed as a ceiling, not a target.

Drying and moisture

Both makers say PA12 absorbs less water than other nylons, and both still treat drying as essential.

• Polymaker says the filament "absorbs significantly less moisture than PA6/66 and PA6-based materials," and its data sheet chart gives an equilibrium water absorption of 1.5% at 70% RH and 23 °C. It still says the filament "is sensitive to moisture and should always be stored and used under dry conditions (relative humidity below 20%)." Its print settings give 100 °C for 10 hours in a regular oven, or level 3 for 18 hours in its PolyDryer, "(Only if the material has absorbed moisture)," while its printing tips say to "dry at 100°C for 10 hours before use." Its wiki says "PA-CF is very hygroscopic and therefore should only be printed while kept in a heated filament dryer the entire time you print."
• SUNLU says "Nylon 12 is the lowest water absorption of nylon consumables," but adds that nylon is still "more susceptible to water absorption" than other filaments and should be stored at "relative humidity of less than 20%." Its store page says "After 6 hours of unpacking, drying is required before printing," at "80°C for 12 hours or 110°C for 4 hours." Its tables give 80–110 °C in a "Blast Drying Oven." SUNLU doesn't publish a water absorption figure.

Check your dryer's top temperature before buying. Polymaker's oven setting needs 100 °C, and SUNLU's needs 80 °C or 110 °C, which many filament dryers don't reach. Neither maker publishes a temperature rating for its spool, so check the spool can take the heat too. Our filament dryer vs dry box guide covers the options.

Annealing and moisture conditioning

Polymaker builds post-processing into its guidance. Its printing requirements list "Annealing post printing" and "Moisture conditioning after Annealing," and its data sheet says "it is recommended to anneal the model in the oven at 100°C for 16 hours." Its product page FAQ explains the order: annealing in a convection oven dries the part out, "So we would suggest to moisture condition after annealing," by keeping the part humid or submerging it in water for 48 hours. The data sheet's shrinkage test shows how little the part moves: a 40 mm X-Y dimension measured 39.88 mm after printing and 39.84 mm after annealing, and a 40 mm Z dimension 39.79 mm, then 39.48 mm, on a model with 30% infill.

SUNLU publishes no annealing or conditioning guidance for PA12-CF on the pages we checked. Our annealing guide covers ovens, supports, and shrinkage.

Strength and heat figures: listed separately

Polymaker's data sheet uses ISO methods and states its specimen settings: printed at 300 °C on a 50 °C bed, 100% infill, two shells, three top and bottom layers, fan off. Directly under its dry mechanical table, a note reads "All specimens were annealed at 100°C for 16h." Under its wet table, the note adds that specimens were then "immerged in water at 60°C for 48h prior to testing." Neither note sits under the thermal table, so the sheet doesn't say whether its heat deflection specimens were annealed. SUNLU's data sheet also uses ISO methods. Its note says specimens "were printed at a printing speed of 45 mm/s and a printing temperature of 290 °C," with 100% infill and a 90° raster, and it doesn't mention annealing.

Polymaker Fiberon PA12-CF10 (TDS V1.1)

• Heat deflection temperature: 105 °C at 1.8 MPa and 131 °C at 0.45 MPa (ISO 75); annealing not stated for these specimens
• Vicat softening temperature: 170.2 °C (ISO 306, GB/T 1633)
• Glass transition: 55 °C; melting temperature: 171 °C; crystallization: 120 °C (DSC, 10 °C/min)
• Tensile strength: 77.4 ± 1.1 MPa X-Y, 52.2 ± 0.8 MPa Z (ISO 527, GB/T 1040; dry, annealed)
• Young's modulus: 3311.2 ± 134.9 MPa X-Y, 1806.6 ± 145.7 MPa Z (dry, annealed)
• Elongation at break: 4.2 ± 0.4% X-Y, 5.0 ± 1.0% Z (dry, annealed)
• Bending strength: 112.4 ± 1.0 MPa X-Y, 69.8 ± 2.2 MPa Z; bending modulus 2886.5 ± 144.8 MPa X-Y, 1452.8 ± 96.5 MPa Z (ISO 178, GB/T 9341; dry, annealed)
• Charpy impact: 9.9 ± 0.7 kJ/m² X-Y notched, 33.7 ± 1.4 kJ/m² X-Y unnotched, 27.6 ± 3.7 kJ/m² Z unnotched (ISO 179, GB/T 1043; dry, annealed)
• Wet, after annealing and 48 hours in 60 °C water: tensile strength 71.7 ± 0.7 MPa X-Y and 42.1 ± 1.8 MPa Z; notched Charpy 10.2 ± 0.8 kJ/m² X-Y
• Density: 1.06 g/cm³ at 23 °C (ISO 1183, GB/T 1033)

SUNLU PA12-CF (TDS SL-TE-WI-108, A/1)

• Heat deflection temperature: 175 ± 3 °C at 0.45 MPa (ISO 75, labelled X-Y); no 1.8 MPa figure
• Vicat softening temperature: not given ("/")
• Glass transition: 99 °C (ISO 11357-2); melting temperature: 190 °C (ISO 11357-3)
• Tensile strength: 86 ± 6 MPa X-Y (ISO 527/2, 50 mm/min); Young's modulus not given
• Elongation at break: 13.7 ± 2.5% X-Y (ISO 527/2)
• Flexural strength: 160 ± 30 MPa X-Y; flexural modulus 5800 ± 300 MPa X-Y (ISO 178, 2 mm/min)
• Izod impact: 11.3 ± 2.5 kJ/m² X-Y notched; 4.8 ± 1.5 kJ/m² for a row labelled "(Z-X) Izod Impact Strength of Unnotched Specimen" (ISO 180, 23 °C)
• Shore hardness: 82, in a unit column reading "HA/HD" (ISO 868)
• Density: 1.08 g/cm³ at 23 °C (ISO 1183)

Both makers give a heat deflection figure at 0.45 MPa under ISO 75, but their test bars were printed differently and neither sheet says whether those bars were annealed, so the gap isn't a measured difference. SUNLU's store page headline says "Heat Resistant up to 176°C." Polymaker's figures show the Z direction, between layers, as clearly weaker than X-Y, so orient parts so the main load runs along the layers. SUNLU's sheet gives only X-Y figures for tensile and bending strength.

Bambu's AMS and third-party fiber nylon

If you own a Bambu Lab printer with an AMS, this matters more than any spec. Bambu's Notes for AMS say to avoid "third-party fiber reinforcement materials (PA-CF/GF, PET-CF/GF, PLA-CF /GF, etc.)" because they "may wear AMS PTFE tubes" and cause "brittle breaks, and other problems," while its own "PLA-CF, PETG-CF, PAHT-CF and other official filaments are specially optimized." Its filament guide lists "certain brands of" PA-CF/GF as both "Too brittle" and "Too hard and rough" for the AMS and AMS lite, and its compatibility entry for PA-CF names only "Bambu PA-CF, PAHT-CF" as compatible.

Neither filament here is Bambu's, so Bambu's guidance points both to the external spool holder. The makers' own statements don't change that:

• Polymaker answers "Will the spools work in an AMS?" with "Yes! We have redesigned the edges of our spools so all Polymaker products will now spin great in the AMS," then adds "you will need to be careful when using any abrasive materials in the AMS." That answer is about the spool, not the abrasive filament.
• SUNLU makes no AMS statement on its PA12-CF pages.

Both makers want this filament kept below 20% RH, and Polymaker says to print it from a heated dryer, so a dryer feeding the printer directly suits both. Our AMS filament compatibility guide covers Bambu's rules and the external spool route.

What each maker says it's for

• Polymaker Fiberon PA12-CF10. Polymaker pitches it for "demanding industrial and engineering applications" and "functional prototypes, end-use parts, and manufacturing tools." It says the filament "outperforms standard PA12-based filaments in both strength and heat resistance," and that it "uses the same trusted formula as PolyMide™ PA12-CF, though prints may appear in a slightly darker black shade."
• SUNLU PA12-CF. SUNLU pitches it for "high-precision engineering components" and "Structural and functional parts," with "automotive or aerospace applications" named on its store page. It says the 20% carbon fiber gives "excellent impact resistance, making printed models resistant to drops and impacts," and that its "Minimal hygroscopicity ensures consistent print quality and dimensional stability."

Those are each maker's claims, without a published test against the other filament.

Polymaker

Polymaker Fiberon PA12-CF10 (Black, 1.75 mm, 0.5 kg)

Best for

Dimensionally stable nylon parts in humid environments, on an open or enclosed printer with a hardened nozzle.

Skip this if

Your hotend can't reach 280 °C, or you want the strongest, highest-temperature carbon nylon (PA6-CF20 is stiffer).

Specs, strengths, and limitations

Material

PA (PA12 (long-chain copolyamide), 10% carbon-fiber filled)

Diameter

1.75 mm

Net filament

500 g (filament only, not packaged weight)

Format

other

Maker's nozzle range

280–300 °C

Nozzle

Abrasive: the maker recommends a wear-resistant nozzle

Strengths

• Manufacturer states it absorbs significantly less moisture than PA6/66 and PA6-based nylons.
• Manufacturer states Warp-free technology; the product page says no enclosure is needed.
• TDS lists a heat deflection temperature of 105 °C at 1.8 MPa.

Limitations

• Abrasive: Polymaker requires a hardened (or ruby) nozzle of 0.4 mm or larger; brass lasts about 9 h.
• Only sold in 0.5 kg and 3 kg spools, and needs a hotend that reaches 280–300 °C per the TDS.
• Still needs drying at 100 °C for 10 h and storage below 20% RH.

View on Amazon ↗ (opens Amazon in a new tab)Details checked 2026-10-07 against the manufacturer. Price and availability are on Amazon.

SUNLU

SUNLU PA12-CF (Black, 1.75 mm, 1 kg)

Best for

Low-moisture carbon nylon parts such as gears and brackets, on a printer with a hardened nozzle and a filament dryer.

Skip this if

You can't dry filament at 80 °C or higher, or you need a 1.8 MPa heat-deflection figure.

Specs, strengths, and limitations

Material

PA (PA12, 20% carbon-fiber filled)

Diameter

1.75 mm

Net filament

1000 g (filament only, not packaged weight)

Format

other

Maker's nozzle range

260–280 °C

Nozzle

Abrasive: the maker recommends a wear-resistant nozzle

Strengths

• Manufacturer states PA12 has the lowest water absorption of the nylons, for stable dimensions.
• SUNLU's TDS lists a heat deflection temperature of 175 ± 3 °C at 0.45 MPa (ISO 75) and 86 MPa tensile strength.
• Prints at a comparatively low 260–280 °C on a 50–70 °C bed per SUNLU.

Limitations

• Abrasive: SUNLU recommends a hardened steel (wear-resistant) nozzle.
• Needs drying (80 °C for 12 h or 110 °C for 4 h) after the bag has been open 6 h, and storage below 20% RH.
• SUNLU's PA12-CF pages give no enclosure advice (its general wiki strongly recommends one for nylon), and its TDS lists only a 0.45 MPa heat deflection temperature.

View on Amazon ↗ (opens Amazon in a new tab)Details checked 2026-10-07 against the manufacturer. Price and availability are on Amazon.

Verdict: which should you buy?

Choose Polymaker Fiberon PA12-CF10 if…

• Your all-metal hotend and hardened nozzle (0.4 mm or larger) run comfortably at 280–300 °C.
• Your printer is open, or you can keep its doors open and the bed at 40–50 °C with the fan off.
• You can dry at 100 °C, print from a heated dryer, and anneal finished parts at 100 °C for 16 hours.
• A 500 g or 3 kg spool suits you, and you want a maker that publishes dry and wet test figures with its specimen settings.

Choose SUNLU PA12-CF if…

• Your hotend and hardened steel nozzle run at 260–280 °C rather than 300 °C.
• You print on textured PEI with glue at a 60–70 °C bed, with part cooling on as SUNLU's printing tips advise.
• Your dryer reaches 80 °C for 12 hours or 110 °C for 4 hours.
• You want a 1 kg spool and don't plan an annealing step, since SUNLU publishes none.

Safety and limits

How this page was checked

Every temperature, speed, drying setting, spool detail, nozzle requirement, AMS statement, and test figure above comes from the manufacturer documents in the sources section, retrieved on 2026-10-13. We haven't printed with either filament for this page, so nothing here is a measured result of ours. Where each maker's own documents disagree:

• Polymaker print settings. The product page's specification panel differs from the data sheet on nozzle, bed, and speed, as shown in the spec table.
• Polymaker moisture content. Its product page and wiki FAQs give an average moisture content of 2.57% for wet-conditioned specimens, where the data sheet says 2.92%.
• Polymaker units and wording. The product page's properties table labels its modulus figures in GPa, though the values match the data sheet's MPa figures, so we use the data sheet. The data sheet describes the filament as "copolyimide" where the product page says "copolyamide."
• Polymaker annealing notes. The data sheet places them under the mechanical tables only, so we don't describe its heat deflection figures as annealed.
• SUNLU. Its pages differ on bed temperature (50–70 °C in the store page text, 60–70 °C in its tables), on diameter tolerance (± 0.03 mm on the store page, ± 0.02 mm on the www.sunlu.com product page), and on heat (175 ± 3 °C in its tables, 176 °C in the store page headline). Its product page table leaves elongation and notched Izod blank, where the data sheet gives figures.

Values vary by color and revision, so check the current documents for your spool. Read more in our editorial standards and affiliate disclosure.

Specialty materials: what to check before you buy a spool ↗