— FDM · MATERIAL
Polycarbonate
Bulletproof glass. Yes, that polycarbonate.
PC (polycarbonate). Highest impact resistance of any common filament — the same plastic in safety glasses and riot shields. Demands a 270°C+ all-metal hotend and an enclosure to print well.
— Specs
The numbers your slicer cares about.
Density
1.20 g/cm³
Nozzle temp
270–310°C
Bed temp
100–120°C
Price
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— Use cases
When Polycarbonate is the right call.
Best for
- Impact-rated guards, shields, helmet liners
- Optical-grade transparent parts (with tuning)
- Engineering jigs that survive drops
- Heat-tolerant fixtures (~120°C continuous)
Avoid for
- Standard hobby printers without all-metal hotends
- First prints — temps are at the edge of consumer hardware
- Decorative work (PC's optical clarity needs careful tuning)
- Outdoor UV exposure — yellows over time
— Honest assessment
Pros & cons, no marketing.
Pros
- Highest impact strength — genuinely bulletproof at thickness
- Stays clear when printed properly (riot-shield grade)
- Highest continuous-use temperature on this list
- Rigid yet doesn't shatter — bends before it breaks
Cons
- Print temps ≥270°C — most stock printers can't reach this
- Heated enclosure required to avoid layer separation
- Hygroscopic; needs aggressive drying
- Premium price — 2–3× the cost of PLA
— Print tips
What we'd tell a friend printing this.
- 1Hotend rated for ≥300°C, all-metal, abrasion-resistant nozzle
- 2Heated chamber 60–80°C during print
- 3Dry 12h at 80°C before printing — no exceptions
- 4Slow first layer (20mm/s) and a wide brim to avoid corner lift
— Compare
Also worth considering.
— Try this material