PC filament: the numbers
Polycarbonate. Typical uses: heat-exposed housings, light guides, protective covers, printer hotend shrouds.
1.2 g/cm³density (1.18–1.22)
346 mper kg at 1.75 mm
2.89 gper metre
260–300 °Cnozzle
100–120 °Cbed
0.6%linear shrinkage
$40typical per kg ($28–60)
115 °Cmax service temperature
Recommendedenclosure
80 °C · 8 hdrying (medium hygroscopic)
4/5difficulty · very-high strength · rigid
Printing tips
- Enclosure strongly recommended; large PC parts crack and lift without one.
- Dry thoroughly: wet PC prints cloudy and weak.
- Glue stick release layer prevents it ripping chunks out of PEI sheets.
Grams ↔ metres for PC
What a PC print costs
Questions about PC
What temperature should I print PC at?
Nozzle 260–300 °C and bed 100–120 °C are the usual range. Start in the middle and tune with a temperature tower; an enclosure helps with larger parts.
How many metres of PC are in a 1 kg spool?
About 346 m at 1.75 mm (density 1.2 g/cm³). One metre weighs 2.89 g.
Does PC need drying?
Yes — it is moderately hygroscopic. Dry at 80 °C for 8 hours before printing if it has been open for more than a few days.
How much does PC shrink?
About 0.6% linear. To compensate, scale X and Y by 100.60% in the slicer, or measure a test print and use the shrinkage calculator.
Sources: en.wikipedia.org, wiki.polymaker.com