Polycarbonate is the plastic used in safety glasses, riot shields, and headlight lenses. It's extremely strong and impact resistant, and it handles high temperatures. It's demanding to print, so it's offered by well-equipped shops.
What Polycarbonate is good at
- Very strong and impact resistant: Among the toughest plastics you can 3D print.
- High heat resistance: Holds its shape to roughly 110–130 °C (230–265 °F).
- Clear options: Available in translucent grades.
Where it falls short
- Hard to print: Needs very high temperatures and an enclosed printer, which raises cost.
- Sunlight: Standard grades can yellow in long-term sun.
- Moisture: Must be kept dry before printing.
Is Polycarbonate right for my project?
It's usually a good fit if your item:
- must be extremely strong or impact resistant
- will be near significant heat
- is a demanding functional part
For lower-cost tough parts, ABS or ASA may be enough.
Common questions
Is polycarbonate stronger than ABS? Yes, it's stronger, tougher, and more heat resistant, but it costs more to print.
Is 3D printed PC fully transparent? Printed PC is usually translucent rather than glass-clear, because of the layers.
Find Polycarbonate near you
Ready to get something made? Find shops that offer Polycarbonate near you, or upload your file for a quote. Not sure which material to choose? Choose by what you're making or ask a local shop.