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PC Filaments

Polycarbonate

PC (Polycarbonate) is one of the most mechanically demanding 3D printing materials available to hobbyists, offering a combination of very high impact strength, heat resistance, and optical clarity. It is used in industrial and safety-critical applications — riot shields, aircraft components, and medical devices rely on polycarbonate for its blend of strength and transparency. Printing PC is genuinely challenging: it requires nozzle temperatures of 260–300 °C, an enclosure holding 60–70 °C, and a bed surface capable of 90–120 °C. It also absorbs moisture readily and needs thorough drying before printing. For most hobbyist needs, PC blends (PC+ABS, PC+PBT) are easier to print while retaining much of PC's advantage. Pure PC is for advanced users with a fully capable machine.

Compare top brands

Average price/kg by brand (most common)

CC3D $24 $23–$24 7 · ★4.3 kexcelled $36 $29–$50 3 · ★4.2 Sunlu $33 $32–$34 3 · ★4.5 Polymaker $51 $48–$52 3 · ★4.3 Elegoo $31 $30–$32 3 · ★4.6

Price/kg · Min–Max Avg

What is PC used for?

  • High-impact parts that must not shatter or crack
  • Components exposed to sustained heat (up to ~110 °C)
  • Transparent functional parts (lenses, light guides)
  • Electrical housings requiring flame resistance
  • Demanding structural prototypes and tooling

How to print PC

PC needs 260–300 °C at the nozzle; an all-metal hotend capable of sustaining these temperatures is mandatory. Bed temperature should be 90–120 °C — some formulations require even higher. An enclosure maintaining 60–70 °C is required to prevent warping and layer delamination; PC shrinks more than ABS and will crack without a stable thermal environment. Disable the part-cooling fan. Use a PEI sheet, BuildTak, or adhesive-coated glass for bed adhesion. Dry the filament thoroughly — at least 6–8 hours at 70–80 °C — before loading. Print slowly (20–40 mm/s) for the best layer bonding. Ensure your workspace is well-ventilated.

Advantages

  • Exceptional impact strength — very difficult to shatter
  • High heat resistance (HDT ~110 °C)
  • Optically clear grades available
  • Flame-retardant versions available
  • Excellent dimensional stability once cooled

Limitations

  • Requires all-metal hotend (260–300 °C)
  • Enclosure with high chamber temperature is mandatory
  • Absorbs moisture aggressively — thorough drying required
  • Very advanced difficulty — not for beginners
  • Expensive compared to most engineering filaments

Common variants

Pure PC is often replaced by blends that are easier to print:

PC+ABS
Easier to print than pure PC (lower temperatures, less warping), retains much of the impact resistance. A popular step up from standard ABS.
PC+PBT
Good chemical and heat resistance with reduced warp tendency compared to pure PC. Common in automotive applications.
PC-CF
Carbon-fibre-filled for maximum stiffness and dimensional accuracy. Requires a hardened nozzle; temperature requirements similar to pure PC.