Filament guideSome parts have to survive more than a shelf. A bracket near a warm motor, a protective cover, a housing for electronics. Regular PLA softens too early for those jobs. Polycarbonate, or PC, is one of the materials we reach for when heat and toughness matter.
Quick answer
The short answer
PC (polycarbonate) is an engineering filament made for heat resistance and impact strength. Bambu Lab rates its PC at a heat deflection temperature of 117°C (243°F), far above everyday PLA.
PC FR is the flame-retardant version. Bambu rates it UL 94 V-0, the highest rating in that vertical burn test. A burning sample puts itself out within 10 seconds.
01
What is polycarbonate?
Polycarbonate is a tough, heat-resistant plastic. You know it from safety glasses, protective shields and tool housings. As a 3D printing filament, it trades easy printing for performance.
It prints hot, at 250–270°C (482–518°F) for Bambu's PC, and needs a heated bed and an enclosed printer. It also pulls moisture from the air. Bambu says to dry it before use and store it below 20% humidity.
02
PC vs PC FR
Both are engineering grades. The flame-retardant version gives up a little stiffness and heat resistance, and gains impact strength.
| Bambu's data | PC | PC FR |
|---|---|---|
| Heat deflection temperature | 117°C (243°F) | 113°C (235°F) |
| Tensile strength | 55 MPa | 60 MPa |
| Bending strength | 108 MPa | 90 MPa |
| Bending modulus (stiffness) | 2,310 MPa | 1,890 MPa |
| Impact strength | 34.8 kJ/m² | 55 kJ/m² |
| Flame rating | Not rated | UL 94 V-0 |
Bambu describes PC FR's toughness as comparable to its PAHT-CF nylon. If you don't need flame retardancy, standard PC is the stiffer choice.
03
What PC is good for
- Brackets, mounts and covers that sit near heat
- Protective casings and enclosures
- Electronics housings, especially in PC FR
- Industrial and automotive components, which Bambu lists for PC FR
- Functional parts that need to take a knock without cracking
04
Limits to know about
- It's a functional material. PC is chosen for performance, not for fine surface detail or color range. For display pieces, PLA is usually the better fit.
- Moisture matters. Damp PC prints poorly, so we dry it before a job.
- A rating isn't a certification. PC FR's V-0 rating applies to the material. If a finished product needs its own safety approval, plan for that testing separately.
- Not for the toughest heat. For parts that need even more heat resistance, a carbon fiber nylon may suit better.
05
Designing for PC
Tell us the hottest temperature the part will see, and whether it needs to bend, hold a load or resist impact. That decides between PC, PC FR and the other engineering options.
Round sharp inside corners where you can, since they concentrate stress. For snap fits and clips, send a test file first so we can check the fit before a full run.
Not sure PC is needed at all? Compare it with PETG and ABS and ASA, which handle moderate heat and are easier to print.
06
Polycarbonate at IMPRESO
We print PC and PC FR in-house at our studio in Ridgewood, Queens. Tell us how the piece will be used, and we'll recommend the right material, whether that's PC or something simpler. Every job is quoted individually.
Start a 3D project
Send us your file or idea, plus where the part will live and what it has to survive. We'll match it to a material and send a quote.
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