PC-FR: density, print temperature and when to choose it
PC-FR is polycarbonate with flame-retardant additives that provide self-extinguishing behavior and compliance with fire-safety standards (e.g. UL94), while retaining base PC's high impact resistance and heat resistance. It's meant for certifiable parts in electrical, aviation, and transportation applications — not general use, where paying extra for FR additives makes no sense if plain PC will do.
Key properties
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | ≈1.22 g/cm³ |
| Nozzle temperature | 270–300°C |
| Bed temperature | 100–120°C |
| Part cooling | light or off |
| Shrinkage | noticeable, needs slicer compensation |
| Enclosure required | yes, mandatory |
When to use it
- Housings and connectors for electrical products where a flammability rating is required by regulation.
- Aviation, rail, and instrumentation parts with mandatory fire-safety certification combined with high impact resistance and heat resistance.
- Elements near heat sources or electrical contacts where plain ABS/PC won't pass flammability certification.
When to pick something else
- No fire-resistance requirement — plain PC is cheaper and prints slightly easier at comparable mechanical strength.
- You need fire resistance in a nylon rather than a polycarbonate (e.g. for parts with high wear resistance and friction) — consider PA-FR.
- Impact resistance and heat resistance without certification is enough — PC-ABS is easier to print and cheaper with similar mechanical properties.
Pros and cons
Pros: self-extinguishing behavior while retaining PC's high impact and heat resistance, suitable for certifiable electrical and aviation parts, good dimensional stability after printing.
Cons: one of the highest print temperatures among FDM materials, requires a strong thermal barrier and an enclosure, noticeable shrinkage complicates printing large parts, high price and a narrow field of suppliers with confirmed FR certification.
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PC-FR is one of the most expensive and demanding materials in the catalog: the high print temperature stresses the printer's thermal barrier and heater, and the mandatory heated enclosure increases energy use and warm-up time compared to plain PC. As with PA-FR, cutting costs with an uncertified alternative is risky if the part is subject to compliance checks — budget the premium material price as a justified line item, not an area to trim.