Polycarbonate (PC) for 3D printing: tough and heat resistant
Polycarbonate (PC) is a transparent, very impact-resistant plastic that tolerates high temperatures. In FDM printing it warps and needs a nozzle above 260 °C.
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Contents
What polycarbonate is
You know polycarbonate from protective visors, lamps and CDs. It is tough and impact resistant, and its softening temperature is around 110 to 140 °C, far more than PLA (around 55 to 60 °C). It suits parts that get hot or have to survive knocks.
There are pure PC and blends, such as PC-ABS and PC-CF.
Why it is hard to print
- A nozzle at 260 to 310 °C and a bed around 100 to 120 °C, which not every printer can manage.
- Strong warping. Without an enclosed chamber the corners lift.
- It quickly absorbs moisture and has to be dried.
Polycarbonate and our range
We do not print PC, only PLA (€8 per kg) and PETG (€9 per kg). The material is only a share of the price. The closest alternative we print is PETG, which withstands more than PLA (roughly up to 70 to 80 °C) and is tougher, but it is not enough for a hot environment, for example near an engine or a heater.
If you need a part for heat, write to jakub.novak@boostello.com and say what temperature and load to expect. We do not promise to print it.
How to design a part for heat with PETG
If the heat is only occasional, such as a part in a car in summer, PETG usually copes. Avoid a constant load above 60 °C. Thicker walls and a higher infill reduce deformation under load. The differences are described in the comparison of PETG and ABS.
For really high temperatures, for example near an engine, PETG is not enough, and you need a different material and a different supplier.
Common questions
Does PETG last as long as PC?
No. PETG softens at around 70 to 80 °C, PC at around 110 °C and more. It is not enough for parts near heat.
Is polycarbonate transparent when printed?
The light scatters in the layers, so a print is cloudy. It will not be as clear as glass.
Why does PC need an enclosed chamber?
It sets quickly and pulls, and without a warm space the corners come off.
Related terms
PETG
PETG is a tough 3D printing plastic, a close relative of the material in PET bottles. Compared with PLA it withstands more heat, impact and moisture, so it suits technical parts and outdoor use.
PLA
PLA (polylactic acid) is the most common 3D printing material, made from plant starch. It is cheap, accurate and easy to print, but it does not withstand heat above about 60 °C or long exposure to sun.
ABS
ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) is a strong, tough engineering plastic that LEGO bricks are made from. In 3D printing it warps easily and gives off fumes, so it needs an enclosed printer.
Warping
Warping is a deformation of a print where corners and edges lift off the plate or the whole part bends, because plastic contracts as it cools.
Enclosure
An enclosure is a cover around the build area of a 3D printer that keeps the temperature steady and protects the print from draughts. It matters for materials that shrink a lot as they cool, such as ABS and ASA.
Glass transition temperature
The glass transition temperature (Tg) is the temperature at which a plastic changes from a hard, strong state to a soft, bendy one. For PLA it is around 60 °C and for PETG around 80 °C.
SourcesSources checked 1 November 2026, 1
- Polycarbonate, Wikipedia, checked 2026-11-01
We will print it for you
Upload a model and see the price per piece, the total with shipping and the date at once. We print in Košice, Slovakia, from PLA and PETG.
No model? No problem, pick a ready one
These sites have thousands of free models. Download an STL or 3MF and upload it here. If you sell it or use it for business, check the model licence. How to pick a model and licence