polycarbonate: optical clarity + 130°C HDT. Requires 270°C+.
When you need impact + heat + transparency at the same time. No other readily-available FDM material combines all three.
| Formula | (C₁₅H₁₆O₂)ₙ |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.2 g/cm³ |
| Tg (glass transition) | 147°C |
| Nozzle temp | 270–310°C |
| Bed temp | 105–120°C |
| Enclosure | required |
| Difficulty | ★★★★: advanced |
Engineer, author of The Big Book of 3D Printing and additive manufacturing expert
| Formula | (C₁₅H₁₆O₂)ₙ |
|---|---|
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.2 |
| Tg (°C) | 147 |
| Print ease (0-10) | 3 |
| Tensile (0-10) | 8 |
| Flexibility (0-10) | 5 |
| Impact resistance (0-10) | 10 |
| Heat resistance (0-10) | 9 |
| UV resistance (0-10) | 3 |
| Chemical resistance (0-10) | 5 |
| Cost (0-10) | 4 |
| Safety (0-10) | 6 |
| Finishing (0-10) | 8 |
| Bed adhesion (0-10) | 4 |
| Accuracy (0-10) | 6 |
| Drying temperature (ISO) | 80-100 °C |
|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature (EduFacturing library) | 260-310 °C |
| Bed temperature (EduFacturing library) | 100-120 °C |
| Nozzle temperature (OrcaSlicer/Bambu) | 260-280 °C |
| Bed temperature (OrcaSlicer/Bambu) | 100-115 °C |
| Property | PC | ABS | ASA | CF-Filled (PLA/PETG) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Print ease | 3 | 5 | 5 | 5 |
| Tensile | 8 | 6 | 7 | 6 |
| Flexibility | 5 | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Impact resistance | 10 | 8 | 7 | 5 |
| Heat resistance | 9 | 8 | 8 | 3 |
| UV resistance | 3 | 3 | 9 | 4 |
| Chemical resistance | 5 | 6 | 7 | 5 |
| Cost | 4 | 8 | 6 | 6 |
| Safety | 6 | 5 | 5 | 7 |
| Finishing | 8 | 9 | 9 | 8 |
| Bed adhesion | 4 | 6 | 6 | 8 |
| Accuracy | 6 | 7 | 7 | 7 |
| Brand | Manufacturer | EUR/kg | Tier |
|---|---|---|---|
| Polymaker PolyLite PC | Polymaker | 38 | budget |
| Bambu PC | Bambu Lab | 45 | mid |
| Polymaker PolyMax PC | Polymaker | 48 | mid |
| Prusament PC Blend | Prusa | 55 | premium |
| 3DXtech PC-PLUS | 3DXtech | 60 | premium |