PC
The strongest · 54 filaments
ExpertWhy: Engineering-grade. Very strong and heat-tolerant. Needs high temps and an enclosure.
Polycarbonate, in plain words
What does polycarbonate need from a printer?
More than most machines have. Plan on 260-290 °C at the nozzle, a 100-120 °C bed, and an enclosure. Your hotend must be all-metal; the common PTFE-lined type is not safe at these temperatures. Enclosed high-temp machines handle PC well, and open-frame printers struggle.
Why is drying such a big deal?
PC is the thirstiest plastic in this catalog. A damp spool prints bubbly, weak layers that no settings can rescue. The fix is boring and reliable: 80 °C for 8 or more hours in a dryer, right before printing.
Is polycarbonate worth the trouble?
When nothing else survives, yes. It's the strongest, most heat-tolerant family here, holding its shape past 100 °C. If a part keeps snapping or softening in everything else you've tried, this is the answer.
Polycarbonate, in plain words
What does polycarbonate need from a printer?
More than most machines have. Plan on 260-290 °C at the nozzle, a 100-120 °C bed, and an enclosure. Your hotend must be all-metal; the common PTFE-lined type is not safe at these temperatures. Enclosed high-temp machines handle PC well, and open-frame printers struggle.
Why is drying such a big deal?
PC is the thirstiest plastic in this catalog. A damp spool prints bubbly, weak layers that no settings can rescue. The fix is boring and reliable: 80 °C for 8 or more hours in a dryer, right before printing.
Is polycarbonate worth the trouble?
When nothing else survives, yes. It's the strongest, most heat-tolerant family here, holding its shape past 100 °C. If a part keeps snapping or softening in everything else you've tried, this is the answer.