Bambu Lab PLA-CF vs Polymaker PolyMide PA6-CF
From the Bambu Lab PLA-CF review: PA6-CF is the real engineering material and costs like it; PLA-CF gives some of the look and rigidity without a 300 °C hotend or a drying regime.
| Spec | Bambu Lab PLA-CF | Polymaker PolyMide PA6-CF |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Material | PLA | Nylon |
| Manufacturer | Bambu Lab | Polymaker |
| Diameter | 1.75 mm | 1.75 mm |
| Thermal | ||
| Print temp | 210 to 240°C | 280 to 300°C |
| Bed temp | 45 to 65°C | 25 to 50°C |
| Warping | none | medium |
| Quality | ||
| Layer adhesion | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Bed adhesion | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Stringing resistance | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Verdict | ||
| Overall rating | 4.2/5 | 4.3/5 |
| Price / kg | — | — |
How they differ on the data
Polymaker PolyMide PA6-CF runs 65°C hotter on the nozzle (window midpoints 225°C and 290°C), and the windows do not overlap, so each needs its own profile. Bambu Lab PLA-CF lists the wider window (30°C against 20°C). Bambu Lab PLA-CF runs 17°C hotter on the bed (window midpoints 55°C and 38°C), and the two windows share 5°C of range, so one profile can cover both. Polymaker PolyMide PA6-CF lists the wider window (25°C against 20°C).
Bambu Lab PLA-CF ships on a 1 kg spool and Polymaker PolyMide PA6-CF on 0.75 kg, so compare price per kilogram rather than per spool.
Which one for the job
Pick Bambu Lab PLA-CF for prototyping, drone parts.
Pick Polymaker PolyMide PA6-CF for mechanical parts, automotive.