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- Strong, Functional FDM 3D Printed Parts
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PC (Polycarbonate) – Flame Retardant is a high-performance thermoplastic known for its exceptional strength, impact resistance, and optical clarity. This material contains flame retardant additives which are UL94 V-0 compliant.
Applications:
| Material Properties | Test Method | Typical Value |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength at yield | ISO 527 | 67 MPa |
| Elongation strain at yield | ISO 527 | 3.49 % |
| Tensile (E) modulus | ISO 527 | 2634 MPa |
| Flammability behaviour | UL94 | V-0 |
| Heat deflection temp | ISO 75 | 107 °C |
Field insight:
Polycarbonate is a go-to material for professional and industrial 3D printing when strength, impact resistance, and heat tolerance are critical. In the field, it’s often selected for functional prototypes, load-bearing parts, and applications where conventional materials like PLA or even PETG fall short. Engineers appreciate PC for its ability to retain mechanical integrity under stress, while manufacturers use it for low-volume end-use parts, especially in environments involving heat or impact.
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Contact our expert team today to enquire about our professional 3D design & 3D scanning services we offer at our expert 3D printing service.
FDM 3D Printing stands for Fused Deposition Modelling, also known as FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication). It’s one of the most common and accessible 3D printing technologies.
Strengths:
Low cost and fast turnaround times
Weaknesses:
Limited dimensional accuracy and print layers are likely to be visible.
| Characteristic | Value |
|---|---|
| Price | £££££ |
| Tolerance | ± 0.50 mm below 100mm / ± 0.60 % above 100mm |
| Minimum feature size | 0.8 mm |
| Lead time | 6 - 10 working days |
| Layer height | 100 to 200 µm |
| Max X | 260 mm |
| Max Y | 260 mm |
| Max Z | 260 mm |
Yes, you can 3D print polycarbonate (PC). It’s one of the more challenging materials to work with and requires a properly equipped printer and careful setup.
Our Polycarbonate material Vicat softening temperature is 116°C (ISO 306 GB/T 1633)
Yes, polycarbonate (PC) is significantly stronger and tougher than PLA in almost every mechanical aspect. PC is stronger, more impact-resistant, and more heat-resistant.
Polycarbonate exhibits high stiffness and strength, with a Young’s modulus of ~2634–2743 MPa and tensile strength up to 67 MPa (X-Y). It offers moderate ductility, good impact resistance and low temperature impact. Properties vary between X-Y and Z directions, showing some anisotropy.
Yes, polycarbonate (PC) is generally stronger and more heat-resistant than PETG, though both are durable materials. For demanding engineering or load-bearing parts, PC is the better choice.
PC (Polycarbonate) requires specific hardware and environmental control to produce accurate and repeatable results. A heated bed of 120°C and enclosed chamber 90 °C is required to print PC. To help with bed adhesion, we suggest using Nano Polymer Adhesive
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