Polycarbonate PC filaments for 3D printers

In recent years, 3D printing has revolutionized industries and even made its way into everyday households. These innovative devices can create an impressive array of objects—everything from office supplies and tools to car components and even furniture. With their diverse forms and features, 3D printers have become increasingly accessible, offering endless opportunities for creativity and practicality.

The final product, however, largely depends on the printer’s components and the type of materials it uses. Among these materials, 3D filament plays a crucial role. This thermoplastic substance serves as the essential raw material for fused deposition modeling (FDM) printers. Without it, crafting the wide variety of objects we now associate with 3D printing would simply not be possible. It’s the unsung hero enabling the transformation of digital designs into tangible, real-world creations.

what it is Polycarbonate PC

Polycarbonate is part of a group of thermoplastic polymer materials and contains carbonate in its structure. It has a light weight, is transparent and is in the state of non-crystallized powder. Despite its weight, it has a high hardness. The main reason why it is used for 3D printing is precisely its hardness: it has a wide range of applications. The mechanical resistance and rigidity it presents are other important characteristics.

If by its nature the material is one of the most transparent polymers, the appearance can be modified. By following certain processes it can acquire different colours, from transparent tones to opaque colours. This versatility offers great freedom in choosing the design of the objects created, and costs are not an obstacle in this sense.

Polycarbonate also has superior properties in terms of UV stability. Furthermore, they can be improved with UV additives. Other additives that can be used in the composition of this material are those to enrich its thermal characteristics. Resistance to the action of environmental factors can also be improved. As for the rigidity of polycarbonate, it is possible to increase it by reinforcing the material.

PC Polycarbonate 3D Filaments – Properties:

Due to its diversified characteristics, polycarbonate is the ideal material, used in more and more sectors. Here are some of the properties:

• • Hardness and resistance: polycarbonate gives the filaments excellent resistance to breakage, essential for making durable objects. Furthermore, reliability and high performance are certain aspects that cannot be missing from the final product.

• • Transmittance: PC polycarbonate is a very transparent type of plastic. Like glass, it can transmit over 90% of the light it receives. Depending on your needs, the plastic can be customized with the help of polycarbonate sheets. The wide range of shades adapts to every need.

• • Reduced weight: compared to other materials, in the case of polycarbonate the weight is a real advantage. This property increases efficiency, aids the installation process and can significantly reduce transportation costs.

• • UV Protection: Polycarbonate can be designed to reject any UV radiation, with the ability to provide 100% protection.

• • Chemical resistance: This material has high resistance to diluted acids, aliphatic hydrocarbons and alcohols. Resistance to fats and oils is average. In the case of aromatic and halogenated hydrocarbons, polycarbonate is easily attacked. In order not to alter the chemical nature, manufacturers recommend using special detergents: the material is sensitive to abrasive alkaline detergents.

• • Thermal resistance: Thermal stability reaches up to approximately 135 – 150°C, but can be extended with the addition of flame retardants. Material properties will not be affected.

Advantages and disadvantages

What are the advantages of filaments from Polycarbonate PC

In the 3D printing process, PC polycarbonate filaments are often used due to their resistance to physical shock. Although polycarbonate is often compared to plexiglas, it allows the filaments to be bent without risk of breakage: the material is easily malleable.

An important advantage is the freedom offered by the material. The objects created can be both transparent and opaque, of different colors. There are no limits to this. Additionally, the ability of plastic to transmit light is another advantage.

A lesser-known thing is that polycarbonate offers good electrical insulation properties. The good thing is that these properties are not affected by water or temperature: efficiency is maximum.

The filaments Polycarbonate PC – disadvantages

Each type of filament has both advantages and disadvantages. In the case of polycarbonate, it must be said that it has a hygroscopic character. The material has the property of absorbing moisture from the air very easily. This may affect other features. Therefore, storage must be carried out in special conditions, with greater attention. It is advisable to store in dry, well-closed places where water vapor cannot penetrate.

Another disadvantage is the melting temperature, which reaches very high values. At the same time, although the properties of the material are not affected, UV rays can affect its color, causing yellowing.

In which sectors is the use of 3D PC polycarbonate filaments recommended?

PC polycarbonate 3D filaments are used in a variety of industries. They are used to make medical equipment, in the automotive industry, but also in construction. Also, with the help of these filaments various accessories, electronics, household appliances or other products are obtained. They also have applications in sports or telecommunications.

For example, ski equipment, such as helmets, shoes and visors, is made precisely with the help of these PC polycarbonate filaments.

Medical equipment

Transparency, heat resistance and dimensional stability make this type of filament applicable in the medical field. PC can be sterilized using ethylene oxide, high-energy radiation, and limited autoclaving. Therefore, with its help it is possible to make surgical instruments, hemolysis membranes, blood reservoirs, blood filters and many others. Polycarbonates are usually used as substitutes for metal and glass.

Auto industry

The most important advantage brought to the automotive industry is the low weight of the material. Without compromising the durability and aerodynamics of the vehicle, its efficiency increases. With a beautiful design, but with much less weight, the automotive industry can be reborn. Both the interior and exterior of the body can be made this way.

Food industry

Food storage containers are a good example of how 3D printing can be used. Naturally, by using polycarbonate filaments, the containers guarantee the freshness of the products inside and offer protection against their contamination. The containers can also be used without damage in the refrigerator or microwave.

For electronics and household appliances

Many items found in every home can be made using polycarbonate: switches, electrical housings, lighting applications, interior switches, plugs and sockets, switches, relays, connectors, electric vehicles and battery packaging material.

Which 3D printers are the filaments compatible with Polycarbonate PC

These filaments they are recognized for their hardness, but also for the adhesion they offer when printing layers. So models like it Ultimaker S3Ultimaker S5 or Ultimaker 3 Extended may provide the best results.

What technologies are needed when using PC polycarbonate filaments? best practices:

Use the correct print surface – Standard build surfaces like blue tape and glue have adhesives that break down at the high temperatures needed to print polycarbonate. That’s why PEI is the best option for these filaments.

Adjust the settings – 3D printers can have many options to avoid any inconvenience in obtaining the desired objects. For example, due to extreme printing temperatures and low cooling fan speed, there is a high possibility of material leakage. To avoid this, you can increase your retreat speed and distance.

Layering – Solid fill layers should be printed slowly, at about 50% speed, so that they have the best chance of successfully reducing gaps between fill lines. In general, the fill percentage must be maintained at a density greater than 25% to provide support for these upper layers. If a piece needs less filling, additional top layers can be added.

Differences between filaments from Polycarbonate PC and other types of 3D filaments

Filaments can be very different. Depending on the objects you want to obtain, the choice must be made very carefully. Those made of PC polycarbonate have the great advantage of resisting very well when strong force is exerted on them.

filaments Polycarbonate PC compared to PLA

Find out more about PLA filaments Here

filaments Polycarbonate PC compared to ABS

• • ABS is one of the cheapest materials.

• • Unlike polycarbonate filament, ABS emits chemical vapors during the process.

filaments Polycarbonate PC against filament your nylon

These types of filaments have very similar properties, both showing great resistance to physical shock. Additionally, both PC polycarbonate filaments and nylon filaments resist high temperatures.

See more details on nylon filaments Here.

filaments Polycarbonate PC against ASA

• •  PC polycarbonate filament can turn yellow: ASA filament cannot be influenced by external conditions to take on this shade.

• •  ASA filament emits smoke when printing.

• • ASA filament consumes more energy than PC polycarbonate filament.

See more details on ASA filaments Here.

filaments Polycarbonate PC compared to PET and PET-G

• •  PET filaments are among the most resistant materials, having the ability to support heavy weights.

• •  PET filaments do not react with water or other foods, which is why it is the most used material for material storage.

• •  Both can have different colors.

See more details on PET and PET-G filaments Here.

Frequently Asked Questions about 3D Filament by Polycarbonate PC

Filaments from Polycarbonate PC are they biodegradable?

These filaments are not biodegradable, but can be recycled.

Filaments from Polycarbonate PC are they toxic?

After several studies, researchers concluded that PC polycarbonate filaments are non-toxic, so they can also be used to make food storage containers.

How to store filaments from Polycarbonate PC?

Due to its hygroscopic nature, PC Polycarbonate filaments must be stored in dry spaces, preferably hermetically sealed.

What is post-processing of 3D printed objects with filaments Polycarbonate PC

In the post-processing of 3D printed objects with the help of these types of filaments – their surface can be smoothed, for an optimal result