PC (polycarbonate): density, print temperature and when you need it
PC (polycarbonate) is one of the strongest and most heat-resistant plastics in FDM printing. Where ABS runs out of headroom in load or temperature, PC is the usual next step — at the price of a harder printing process and more expensive hardware.
Key properties
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.20 g/cm³ |
| Nozzle temperature | 260–310°C |
| Bed temperature | 100–120°C |
| Part cooling | off |
| Shrinkage | severe — enclosure needed |
| Enclosure required | yes, mandatory |
Polycarbonate is hygroscopic: the filament usually needs drying before printing, otherwise bubbles and weak layer seams appear in the part.
When to use it
- Functional parts under mechanical load: brackets, gears, tool housings.
- Parts that run hot in service (near a motor, in electronics) — PC holds its shape at temperatures well beyond ABS/ASA.
- Transparent or translucent technical parts — PC offers that option, unlike most engineering plastics.
When to pick something else
- ABS/ASA strength and heat resistance are enough — no need to pay the PC premium and fight a fussier print.
- No printer with a fully enclosed chamber and a 300°C+ hotend — PC will delaminate and deform.
- Material price per kilogram matters — PC costs noticeably more than ABS/PETG.
Pros and cons
Pros: among the highest impact and heat resistance of FDM plastics, carries sustained loads well without creep.
Cons: needs a 300°C+ hotend and an enclosed chamber, hygroscopic and requires drying before printing, noticeably pricier than ABS/PETG.
Calculate your price in a minute
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How it affects your print cost
Nozzle and bed temperatures up to 310°C/120°C mean substantially more electricity per print cycle than PLA or even ABS. PC filament also costs more than engineering ABS/ASA, so in a cost breakdown PC usually lands among the most expensive options — in both material and energy.