Filament Atlas

PC

Polycarbonate

21 products from 15 makers. Bambu Lab sells its own filament of this material for the H2C.

Tensile modulus (XY)
2.15GPa
0.210 (log)
12 products · middle half 2.02–2.41
Tensile strength (XY)
60MPa
0125
15 products · middle half 54.2–65.3
Tensile strength (Z)
46MPa
060
6 products · middle half 35.9–52.3
Notched Charpy impact
9.75kJ/m²
150 (log)
4 products · middle half 6.65–14.3
HDT at 0.45 MPa
123°C
50300
15 products · middle half 113–139
Price
51CAD/kg
0300
5 products · middle half 45–67

PC is polycarbonate. Makers sell it for prototypes, tooling and heat-resistant technical parts. It is amorphous as printed, so it softens at its glass transition: its HDT at 0.45 MPa is 123 °C. On the H2C it prints with a standard nozzle, and makers warn of moisture absorption and ask for drying, but several products ask for more bed and chamber heat than the H2C gives.

Partly documented Notched Charpy impact rests on 4 products. Each figure is the median of the products that publish it comparably, and beside it the middle half of them; a value on a test bar no document describes as printed, or with no stated test load, is set apart, except a heat deflection of a plastic that cannot crystallise, which its glass transition sets, unless its document points to a moulded or resin bar.

Nozzle
255⁠–⁠270 °C
most products that give one
Bed
90⁠–⁠110 °C
most products that give one
Heated chamber
70⁠–⁠80 °C
most products that give one; beyond the H2C's 65 °C
Drying
70–120 °C, 2–24 h
18 of 21 products call for it; 3 more give it as optional
Nozzle type
standard
3 say a standard nozzle is enough; the Bambu Lab Filament Guide says any for 18 more

Beyond the H2C's limits (nozzle 350 °C, bed 120 °C, heated chamber 65 °C): bed for 1 product and chamber for 5 products.

Among the materials

Against PC-CF, PC is 54 % less stiff and 14 % weaker flat, and its HDT at 0.45 MPa is 5 °C lower. Against PC-GF, PC is 2.2 times as strong across the layers and 58 % stronger flat. Among the materials, PC has a high tensile strength (Z) and a low price: both are in the top or bottom quarter of the materials that publish them. The rest of its key properties sit in the middle half.

PC is stronger flat than PC-GF, PVDF and ASA but is less stiff than PC-CF, PC-GF and PA6/66 and others

How does it compare with what an engineer would buy instead?

  • PC: its products' median and middle half
  • an alternative
  • lowest to highest
  • each material's median (top row)
  • beyond the scale
All materials
PC21 products
PC-CF10 products
PC-GF3 products
PA6/667 products
PVDF3 products
ASA40 products
Modulus (XY)GPa, log scale
Strength (XY)MPa
Strength (Z)MPa
Notched CharpykJ/m², log scale
HDT 0.45 MPa°C
PriceCAD/kg

Each row is a material, each column a property: the bar is the middle half of a material's products, the tick their median, the hairline their lowest to highest; the ticks above the rows are every material's median.

The figure as a table
MaterialModulus (XY) (GPa)Strength (XY) (MPa)Strength (Z) (MPa)Notched Charpy (kJ/m²)HDT 0.45 MPa (°C)Price (CAD/kg)
PC (this material)2.15 (2.02⁠–⁠2.41) · 1260 (54.2⁠–⁠65.3) · 1546 (35.9⁠–⁠52.3) · 69.75 (6.65⁠–⁠14.3) · 4123 (113⁠–⁠139) · 1551 (45⁠–⁠67) · 5
PC-CF4.65 (2.98⁠–⁠6.39) · 470 (64⁠–⁠72) · 5—12 · 1128 (120⁠–⁠136) · 4152 · 1
PC-GF2.67 · 138 · 220.6 · 26.1 · 1134 · 153 · 1
PA6/662.34 · 261 · 345.8 · 16.9 · 1119 · 340 · 3
PVDF2.45 · 151 · 1——158 · 1356 · 1
ASA2.1 (2⁠–⁠2.32) · 1338.6 (35.9⁠–⁠41.5) · 1525.8 (21.5⁠–⁠28.9) · 712 (10.5⁠–⁠12.9) · 596 (92⁠–⁠100) · 1239 (39⁠–⁠57) · 5

Each cell is the median of the products ranked, its middle half in brackets, and how many.

How the numbers are worked out

Where PC sits among the 128 rigid materials on file

Where is it in the landscape: stiffness against strength, heat resistance against price?

  • PC: median, middle half as a cross
  • a PC product
  • an alternative
  • another material
  • beyond the scale

Tensile strength (XY) against tensile modulus (XY)

MPa, log scale

51020501002000.20.512510PCPC-CFPC-GFPA6/66ASA

Tensile modulus (XY), GPa, log scale

HDT at 0.45 MPa against price

°C

501001502002503002050100200500PCPC-CFPC-GFPA6/66PVDFASA

Price, CAD/kg, log scale

Grey points are every other rigid material's medians; the alternatives are named.

The figure as a table
MaterialTensile modulus (XY)Tensile strength (XY)PriceHDT at 0.45 MPa
PC (this material)2.15 GPa · 1260 MPa · 1551 CAD/kg · 5123 °C · 15
PC-CF4.65 GPa · 470 MPa · 5152 CAD/kg · 1128 °C · 4
PC-GF2.67 GPa · 138 MPa · 253 CAD/kg · 1134 °C · 1
PA6/662.34 GPa · 261 MPa · 340 CAD/kg · 3119 °C · 3
PVDF2.45 GPa · 151 MPa · 1356 CAD/kg · 1158 °C · 1
ASA2.1 GPa · 1338.6 MPa · 1539 CAD/kg · 596 °C · 12

How the numbers are worked out

Mechanical properties

Printed flat (XY), PC typically reaches a tensile strength of 60 MPa at a modulus of 2.15 GPa, and breaks at 7 % elongation. In bending, its flexural strength is typically 94 MPa at a flexural modulus of 2.15 GPa.

PC's products spread most in elongation at break: the middle half runs 4.53⁠–⁠12 %

How strong, stiff and tough are its products, and which stand out?

  • a product
  • set apart: test bar not described as printed, or no stated load
  • measured after annealing
  • middle half and median
  • beyond the scale
Tensile strength (XY)scale 40–80 MPa · 19 products, 15 in the median
Flashforge PCNanovia PC V04050607080
Tensile modulus (XY)scale 1–5 GPa, log · 14 products, 12 in the median
Flashforge PC125
Tensile strength (Z)MPa · 6 products, all in the median
Raise3D Premium PC Black White0204060
Elongation at break (XY)%, log scale · 17 products, 13 in the median
Raise3D Premium PCYousu PC125102050100200500
Notched Charpy impactkJ/m², log scale · 4 products, all in the median
Polymaker PolyLite PC Transparent125102050

One mark per product on each property's scale (zoomed where its products sit close together, as its label says); the band is the middle half of the products the median counts, and the line the median.

Hover or select a product to find it in every figure; its name opens its card on the Products page.

The figure as a table
PropertyIn the medianMedianMiddle halfLowest in the medianHighest in the medianAs publishedAdded filler or additive
Tensile strength (XY) (MPa)156054.2⁠–⁠65.3Flashforge PC, 40Nanovia PC V0, 9040
Tensile modulus (XY) (GPa)122.152.02⁠–⁠2.41Flashforge PC, 1.8Polymaker PolyLite PC Transparent, 2.520
Tensile strength (Z) (MPa)64635.9⁠–⁠52.3Raise3D Premium PC Black White, 29Stratasys PC, 53.100
Elongation at break (XY) (%)1374.53⁠–⁠12Raise3D Premium PC, 3.2Yousu PC, 15040
Notched Charpy impact (kJ/m²)49.756.65⁠–⁠14.3Polymaker PolyLite PC Transparent, 4.1Polymaker PolyMax PC, 21.300

Every PC product that publishes these values is drawn; each value, with its document and conditions, is on the Products page.

How the numbers are worked out

ProductNotched Izod impactShore D hardness
SUNLU PC35 kJ/m²80 Shore D
Flashforge PC4 kJ/m²not published
Prusa Research Prusament PCnot published79 Shore D
SIDDAMENT PC35 kJ/m²not described as printednot published

Across the layers (Z), PC keeps 75 % of its flat strength and 88 % of its flat stiffness

What does a printed part lose across the layers (Z) against flat (XY), and is that usual?

  • a product
  • measured after annealing
  • equal share: 100, 75, 50 and 25 %
  • PC's median share
  • an alternative

Tensile strength

Z keeps 75 % of XY, median of 5 products

020406080020406080100 %75 %50 %25 %

flat (XY), MPa

0 %50 %100 %

Share kept: PC 75 % · PA6/66 59 % · ASA 59 % · PC-GF 53 %

Tensile modulus

Z keeps 88 % of XY, median of 3 products

00.511.522.500.511.522.5100 %75 %50 %25 %

flat (XY), GPa

0 %50 %100 %

Share kept: PC 88 % · ASA 88 % · PA6/66 82 % · PC-GF 46 %

Elongation at break

Z keeps 59 % of XY, median of 4 products

0246802468100 %75 %50 %25 %

flat (XY), %

0 %50 %100 %

Share kept: PC-GF 62 % · PC 59 % · ASA 50 % · PA6/66 10 %

Each point is a product that publishes both from one sheet: below the 100 % ray it keeps less across the layers than flat. Under each plot, the median share its alternatives' products keep.

The figure as a table
ProductPropertyFlat (XY)Across (Z)Z as a share of XY
Bambu Lab PCTensile strength55 MPa34 MPa62 %
Polymaker PolyMax PCTensile strength53.4 MPa41.4 MPa78 %
Polymaker PolyLite PC TransparentTensile strength69.1 MPa52.8 MPa76 %
eSUN PC-HTTensile strength67.6 MPa50.6 MPa75 %
Raise3D Premium PC Black WhiteTensile strength60 MPa29 MPa48 %
Bambu Lab PCTensile modulus2.11 GPa1.45 GPa69 %
Polymaker PolyMax PCTensile modulus2.44 GPa2.15 GPa88 %
Polymaker PolyLite PC TransparentTensile modulus2.5 GPa2.37 GPa95 %
Bambu Lab PCElongation at break3.8 %2.1 %55 %
Polymaker PolyMax PCElongation at break4.53 %2.79 %62 %
Polymaker PolyLite PC TransparentElongation at break4.8 %2.7 %56 %
eSUN PC-HTElongation at break7.3 %4.9 %67 %
PC-GF (alternative)Tensile strength53 % · 2
PA6/66 (alternative)Tensile strength59 % · 1
ASA (alternative)Tensile strength59 % · 5
PC-GF (alternative)Tensile modulus46 % · 1
PA6/66 (alternative)Tensile modulus82 % · 1
ASA (alternative)Tensile modulus88 % · 5
PC-GF (alternative)Elongation at break62 % · 2
PA6/66 (alternative)Elongation at break10 % · 1
ASA (alternative)Elongation at break50 % · 5

Tensile strength: one more product is in the median across the layers but gives no share, with no flat value of the same test from the same sheet: Stratasys PC (no flat value compared). Tensile modulus: one more product is in the median across the layers but gives no share, with no flat value of the same test from the same sheet: Stratasys PC (no flat value compared). Elongation at break: one more product is in the median across the layers but gives no share, with no flat value of the same test from the same sheet: Stratasys PC (no flat value compared).

How the numbers are worked out

Flat and across the layers, property by property

Flat and across the layers

PropertyPrinted flat (XY)Across the layers (Z)Z as a share of XY
MedianProductsMedianProducts
Tensile strength MPa6054.2⁠–⁠65.3154635.9⁠–⁠52.36
Tensile modulus GPa2.152.02⁠–⁠2.41122.261.97⁠–⁠2.54
Elongation at break %74.53⁠–⁠12132.72.1⁠–⁠2.795
Flexural strength MPa9481.3⁠–⁠97.21365.72
Flexural modulus GPa2.152.05⁠–⁠2.34141.982

The middle half of the products under each median. The share is each product's Z value as a part of its XY value, from one sheet and one state, and the median of those shares. Where it counts fewer products than the Z median, the others publish no flat value of the same test from the same sheet; the figure's table names them. How XY and Z differ.

Thermal properties

PC is amorphous as printed, so it softens at its glass transition, typically 116 °C: its HDT is 123 °C under 0.45 MPa and 121 °C under 1.8 MPa. As published, Vicat softening is typically 119 °C.

Most PC products deflect at 113⁠–⁠139 °C under 0.45 MPa

Where do its products soften under load?

  • a product
  • set apart: test bar not described as printed, or no stated load
  • measured after annealing
  • middle half and median
HDT at 0.45 MPascale 100–150 °C · 18 products, 15 in the median
SUNLU PCYousu PC100110120130140150
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C · 13 products, 11 in the median
Polymaker PolyMax PC5075100125150175
Glass transition (Tg)scale 110–170 °C · 10 products, all in the median
Polymaker PolyMax PCStratasys PC-ISO110120130140150160170
The figure as a table
PropertyIn the medianMedianMiddle halfLowest in the medianHighest in the medianAs publishedAdded filler or additive
HDT at 0.45 MPa (°C)15123113⁠–⁠139SUNLU PC, 101Yousu PC, 14430
HDT at 1.8 MPa (°C)11121107⁠–⁠131Polymaker PolyMax PC, 99Fabru Polycarbonat (PC), 14120
Glass transition (Tg) (°C)10116113⁠–⁠147Polymaker PolyMax PC, 113Stratasys PC-ISO, 16100

Every PC product that publishes these values is drawn; each value, with its document and conditions, is on the Products page.

How the numbers are worked out

Printing on the H2C

PC softens near 123 °C, above the H2C's 65 °C chamber; 6 products ask for more than the H2C gives

What does printing it on the H2C take, and how hot can a part get?

  • share of the products that accept each temperature
  • what most products accept
  • one end given ("at least")
  • the H2C's limit, and beyond it
  • a product
  • PC: its products' median and middle half
  • as published, under each sheet's own test

Printing it on the H2C

Nozzle255⁠–⁠270 °C, accepted by most of the 17 products that give a window · the H2C reaches 350 °C
Bed90⁠–⁠110 °C, accepted by most of the 17 products that give a window · the H2C reaches 120 °C
Heated chamber70⁠–⁠80 °C, accepted by most of the 6 products that give a window; 1 gives one end only; 2 need none · the H2C reaches 65 °C
Drying70⁠–⁠120 °C, 2⁠–⁠24 h, 13 products

In service

Glass transition (Tg)10 products
116 °C
Vicat softening temperature9 products, as published
104⁠–⁠150 °C
HDT at 1.8 MPa11 products
121 °C
HDT at 0.45 MPa15 products
123 °C

°C

One temperature axis for the settings a print needs and the temperatures a part meets. A setting's shade is how many of the products whose sheets give a window accept each degree; the H2C's limit closes its row.

The figure as a table
Setting or propertyMost products, or the medianProductsH2C limit
Nozzle255⁠–⁠270 °C17350 °C
Bed90⁠–⁠110 °C17120 °C
Heated chamber70⁠–⁠80 °C665 °C
Drying70⁠–⁠120 °C, 2⁠–⁠24 h13—
Glass transition (Tg)116 °C (113⁠–⁠147 °C)10—
Vicat softening temperature104⁠–⁠150 °C9—
HDT at 1.8 MPa121 °C (107⁠–⁠131 °C)11—
HDT at 0.45 MPa123 °C (113⁠–⁠139 °C)15—

Windows read from the Bambu Lab Filament Guide are not shaded: the guide speaks for every product that reads it.

How the numbers are worked out

SettingMost PC productsBambu Lab Filament Guide (PC column)
Nozzle255⁠–⁠270 °C most products that give one260 - 280 ℃
Bed90⁠–⁠110 °C most products that give oneSmooth PEI Plate (90 - 110 °C)
Textured PEI Plate (90 - 110 °C)
Heated chamber70⁠–⁠80 °C most products that give one; beyond the H2C's 65 °Cenclosure required
Drying70⁠–⁠120 °C, 2⁠–⁠24 h 18 of 21 products call for it; 3 more give it as optional80 °C for 8 h
Nozzle typestandard 3 say a standard nozzle is enough; the Bambu Lab Filament Guide says any for 18 moreany

Where a product's own sheet is silent, its setting comes from a sheet it shares or from the Bambu Lab Filament Guide; each product's card says which.

After printing

Two products publish values measured after annealing, at 80 °C for 12 h.

What makers say about printing it

Printing advice

Warping and shrinkage

On PC in general

  • Pure PC is moisture-sensitive; modified grades can behave differently. Moisture after Prusa Research, Polycarbonate (PC) | Prusa Knowledge Base
  • Warping increases with large, dense geometries. Confirm surface and glue-release requirements. Warping / bed after Prusa Research, Polycarbonate (PC) | Prusa Knowledge Base
More from makers: moisture sensitivity, nozzle wear, supports and removal, odour and emissions and adhesion between layers

Moisture sensitivity

  • It is recommended to store PolyLite™ PC in the PolyBox™ to prevent moisture absorption which will lower the quality and the mechanical properties of the print. Polymaker PolyLite PC Transparent, data sheet, p. 5

Nozzle wear

Supports and removal

Odour and emissions

Adhesion between layers

  • This means low shrinkage plus increased bed- and layer adhesion. FormFutura Kratos PC, data sheet, p. 1

Products

21 products from 15 makers; the most from 3DXTECH (3), Polymaker (3) and Raise3D (2).

These are published values, not recommendations: the selector judges each product against your requirements.

Compare the 21 products

Uses, limitations and chemicals

What it is sold for

What makers warn about

Finish and accuracy
  • PolyLite™ PC can be sanded to obtain a smoother surface. Polymaker PolyLite PC Transparent, data sheet, p. 5
  • As a return, our consumers can get a smooth printing surface and fewer clogging issues. Yousu PC, maker's product page or guide, p. 1
  • PC 275 is a professional, high-class filament offering exceptional stability and precision during printing, even at high speeds, thanks to its improved composition. Spectrum PC 275, data sheet, p. 1
  • It 3D prints detailed parts with a high dimensional accuracy. FormFutura Kratos PC, data sheet, p. 1

Chemicals and environment

ExposureWhat makers say
Water solubilityInsoluble, in its one statement
Acid resistanceMixed, 7 statements disagree
Alkali resistanceMixed, 5 statements disagree
Organic solvent resistanceMixed, 2 statements disagree
Oil and grease resistanceResistant, in 2 of 3 statements
FlammabilityDescribed in words, with no rating, in its one statement
Fatigue evidenceDescribed in words, with no rating, in its one statement
UV and outdoorDescribed in words, with no rating, in its one statement
Hydrolytic stabilityDescribed in words, with no rating, in its one statement

Makers rarely give the concentration, temperature or duration: treat them as indications, not design data. Each product's statements are on its card.

Density and price

PC's density is typically 1,200 kg/m³, the middle half 1,190⁠–⁠1,200 kg/m³, across 19 products. PC typically costs 51 CAD/kg, the middle half 45⁠–⁠67 CAD/kg, across the 5 products with a regular price in the sample; the lowest is Polymaker PolyLite PC Transparent at 39 CAD/kg.

Regular prices, never sale prices, from 9 Canadian shops and 10 foreign shops, sampled 10 Sep–20 Oct 2026, not live; shipping and tax are not included.

Other properties, as published

17 more properties are published, each under its own sheet's test conditions, so they are listed, not ranked.

The 17 properties, lowest to highest
PropertyProductsLowest–highest
Melt mass-flow rate133⁠–⁠39.6 g/10 min
Water absorption80.13⁠–⁠0.8 %
Elongation at yield41.9⁠–⁠6 %
Decomposition temperature2360 °C
Dielectric strength217⁠–⁠30 kV/mm
Impact strength, test unclear23.4⁠–⁠25.1 kJ/m²
Compression strength1106 MPa
Continuous service temperature1130 °C
Fatigue life13,370⁠–⁠1 × 10⁶ cycles
Flexural elongation at break13.1 %
Flexural stress at conventional deflection1144 MPa
Hardness173 Rockwell R
118 Rockwell M
Interlayer adhesion strength121 MPa
Melting temperature1228 °C
Moisture content10.1 %
Mould shrinkage10.5⁠–⁠0.7 %
Relative permittivity12.8⁠–⁠3

Sources

40 documents from 16 publishers (28 data sheets, 10 makers' product pages and guides, 1 peer-reviewed study and 1 printer document), read 10 Sep–3 Oct 2026. Each value on PC's Products page names its document and page, and links to the original.

Bambu Lab, H2C Filamant Printing Guide (the H2C's printer guide): print settings for 18 products.

The Bambu Lab Filament Guide (print settings per material type): read for 21 products whose own sheets are silent.

Every document (40), by publisher
PublisherDocumentsValuesProducts
Polymaker9933
3DXTECH5243
Bambu Lab3411
Raise3D3332
Spectrum3101
Stratasys2652
SUNLU2201
Yousu2191
Prusa Research2181
eSUN1131
Flashforge1101
Rodrigues et al., Polymers 18(2), 3021101
and 4 more publishers, with 4 documents