Polycarbonate filament properties
Data taken from 18 datasheets from manufacturers in Spain, Europe, the United States and China, reviewed on October 26, 2026. The shaded bar marks the median of the declared values and each colored tick is a different datasheet. The scales are the same across the whole library, so you can compare materials at a glance.
Polycarbonate filament temperature and print settings
| Setting | Typical value | Range in datasheets |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle | 260–280 °C | 250–300 °C |
| Bed | 90–110 °C | 80–130 °C |
| Print speed | 50–200 mm/s | 30–300 mm/s |
| Drying temperature | 75 °C | 70–80 °C |
| Drying time | 6 h | 6–24 h |
Polycarbonate vs ABS, Nylon, and ASA: comparison
Medians from each material's datasheets. Click a material to see its full range.
Meters of Polycarbonate per spool
Calculated with the median density from the datasheets (1.19 g/cm³). Real spools can vary by a few meters because of diameter tolerance.
What is polycarbonate filament
Polycarbonate (PC) is a transparent thermoplastic with high impact and heat resistance, used in helmets, visors, safety glasses, electrical housings and lighting parts. In 3D printing it is one of the most demanding materials you can run on a well-prepared desktop machine.
Pure PC prints poorly: it adheres badly to the bed and shrinks a lot. That is why most polycarbonate filaments are modified formulations or blends, above all PC-ABS, which keeps much of its properties and is more forgiving. The 18 datasheets analyzed include both types.
Polycarbonate filament heat resistance
Together with nylon, it is among the desktop-printer filaments that withstand the most heat. The median HDT at 0.45 MPa is 112 °C and the Vicat softening point 120 °C, above ABS, ASA and PETG. It suits parts near motors, lamps, brackets in the engine bay or tools that go through a low-temperature oven.
What your 3D printer needs to print polycarbonate filament
- High-temperature nozzle: the datasheet median is 260–280 °C, with a range of 250–300 °C. Hotends with PTFE in contact with the hot zone won't work.
- Very hot bed, around 90–110 °C, with a surface suited to PC.
- Enclosed chamber, ideally warm, to avoid warping and delamination.
- Long drying: the datasheets suggest 75 °C for 6 h. Wet PC makes bubbles and loses transparency and strength.
PC, PC-ABS and fiber-filled PC
PC-ABS gives up some heat resistance in exchange for easier printing and less warping. There are also carbon fiber versions, stiffer and more stable, which need a hardened nozzle. If your printer is at its temperature limit, start with a PC-ABS.
Frequently asked questions about polycarbonate filament
What temperature do you print polycarbonate at?
The datasheet median is 260–280 °C at the nozzle and 90–110 °C at the bed. It is one of the filaments that demands the highest temperatures.
Can any printer print polycarbonate?
No. It needs a hotend able to hold a high temperature steadily, a very hot bed and an enclosed chamber.
What temperature can a polycarbonate part withstand?
The datasheets put the HDT at 0.45 MPa at a median of 112 °C, considerably more than ABS or PETG.