PC (Polycarbonate)
⬡ Chemical Resistant
280–310
°C
Print Temp
100–120
°C
Bed Temp
145
°C
Max Service
Overview
Polycarbonate — virtually unbreakable thermoplastic with the highest impact strength and service temperature of any common FDM filament. Optically clear when printed correctly. Demands a high-temperature all-metal hotend and enclosed print chamber. Uncompromising performance for uncompromising printers.
Properties
Difficulty
expert
Flexibility
rigid
Layer Adhesion
fair
Enclosure
required
Heated Bed
required
Dry Storage
required
Pros
- Extreme impact resistance — virtually unbreakable
- Highest service temp of common filaments (145°C)
- Optically transparent
- Good chemical resistance
- Excellent electrical insulation
- UV-stabilised grades available
Cons
- Requires 280-310°C — all-metal hotend mandatory
- Severe warping — enclosure mandatory
- Bed temp 100-120°C
- Absorbs moisture rapidly
- Expensive
- Difficult to bond and post-process
Best For
- Protective covers|High-temp enclosures|Structural brackets|Light pipes|Electrical insulators|Safety equipment|Transparent functional parts
Avoid For
- Printers without all-metal hotend|Beginners|Humid environments|Any application needing flexibility
Storage
Extremely hygroscopic. Dry at 80-90°C for 8-12h. Print immediately from dryer. Wet PC causes severe layer delamination and dramatically reduced strength.
Brands
Polymaker PC-MaxPrusament PC BlendFiberlogy PCeSUN PC+Bambu Lab PC