The spec, the BPA story, the chemical-sensitivity limits, and where PC actually wins · cross-checked against the manufacturer's TDS V5.4, written by the team that prints it.
Polycarbonate 3D printing service · UK · quoted in 6 hours.
Tough from -30°C to ~110°C · stays unbreakable where other plastics go brittle.
Four quick visuals. Start with which material to pick and where PC works; the engineering detail is at the end if you want it.
Polycarbonate is formed by polycondensation of bisphenol-A with phosgene (or diphenyl carbonate). The carbonate linkages (-O-CO-O-) join BPA monomers into a stiff aromatic backbone · the chemistry that gives PC its three-way engineering combination of impact, heat, and clarity. Note: the BPA content is why EU food-contact use is banned from January 2025 (Regulation 2024/3190).
PC's signature engineering property · most thermoplastics embrittle in cold and lose impact toughness rapidly below 0°C. PC stays tough. The reason it's specified for UK winter electrical enclosures, outdoor equipment housings, automotive exterior panels exposed to overnight frost, and any part that sees both ambient and sub-zero service.
"James handled the 3D printing for a functional heat resistant component we needed in batch production. He helped dial in the prototype first with their design service, then produced the final batch with really consistent results. Super fast 3D print turnaround and great quality across all the 3D printed parts. Will 100% be coming back."
"We needed a sit-in F1-car for an exhibition to showcase our new racing game. 3D Printing Express took our CAD, optimised it for strength and weight as we had no idea how it all worked! Turned out beautifully. They colour matched the finish and was looking like the real deal. On show day the cockpit ran non-stop, adults and kids jumped in. Multiple visitors asked who built it."
"We ordered a batch of 100 PA-12 parts from 3D Printing Express and could not be happier. Every part arrived consistent, dimensionally accurate, and ready for use straight from the box. The PA-12 gave us the strength and stability we needed for functional testing, with minimal post-processing required. Delivery was on time, communication was excellent, and their QC clearly made a difference."
60% stronger than ABS (33.4 MPa), 22% stronger than ASA (43.8 MPa). The aromatic-backbone chemistry that makes PC the engineering go-to for structural housings.
14°C higher than ABS's 100°C, 36°C higher than PETG's 78°C. The widest commodity FDM thermal envelope · holds electrical enclosures, sun-warmed equipment, under-bonnet brackets.
8× tougher than PETG (2.6) and PLA (3.3) · 18% higher than ABS (18.0). And retains 9.2 kJ/m² at -30°C · 43% of room-temp value where other thermoplastics embrittle.
PC is bisphenol-A-based · EU Regulation 2024/3190 bans BPA in food-contact materials from 20 January 2025. For food applications use PETG with food-safe overcoat instead.
PC earns its place when the part needs impact toughness AND heat resistance in one polymer · the engineering all-rounder for equipment housings, electrical enclosures, optical-quality enclosures, and any application where commodity styrenics aren't strong enough or hot enough.
PC's strengths are impact + heat + transparent-capable in one polymer · its weaknesses are chemical sensitivity (ketones, alkaline solutions), the BPA food-contact ban, the high-chamber-temperature print requirement, and the cost premium vs commodity styrenics. Pick a different filament if any of these apply.
PC's combination of heat tolerance (114°C HDT), impact toughness, dimensional stability, and dielectric properties makes it the production standard for electrical enclosures. The FDM grade prototypes that chemistry · same heat envelope, same impact resistance.
The PC variant produces translucent FDM-printed parts · perfect for light diffusion, equipment vision windows, lab specimen chambers. Layer interfaces scatter light slightly but the underlying PC clarity carries through.
Charpy notched 21.3 kJ/m² at room temperature, 9.2 kJ/m² at -30°C · PC stays tough where other thermoplastics embrittle. Used for power-tool cases, ratcheting handle housings, machine guards, and impact-loaded enclosures that see cold-storage cycling.
PC is the production polymer for automotive headlight lenses · FDM PC prototypes that chemistry with the heat resistance (114°C HDT) to handle production-grade lamp service. Used for headlight housing prototypes, indicator-lens proofs, and adjacent-engine sensor enclosures.
A side-by-side of three styrenic-family engineering thermoplastics. PC's wedge is impact + heat + low-temperature toughness in one polymer · the engineering all-rounder. ABS wins on cost and ease; ASA wins on outdoor UV. PC wins when you need everything at once.
All values from manufacturer Technical Data Sheets V5.4-V5.5 EN · injection-moulded ISO test specimens (ISO 527 tensile, ISO 75 HDT, ISO 179 Charpy notched, ISO 179-1/1eA:2010 -30°C). PC retains 9.2 kJ/m² Charpy at -30°C · ABS / ASA TDS don't publish low-temp Charpy because the cold-impact performance is poor (the bars are illustrative, not measured TDS values).
| Property | PC (here) | ABS | ASA |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile strength XY | 53.4 MPa | 33.4 MPa | 43.8 MPa |
| Stiffness (Young's modulus XY) | 2435 MPa | 2247 MPa | 2379 MPa |
| Charpy notched impact (room temp) | 21.3 kJ/m² | 18.0 kJ/m² | 10.3 kJ/m² |
| Charpy notched at -30°C | 9.2 kJ/m² | Not published · brittle | Not published · brittle |
| Elongation at break XY | 4.5% | 17.9% | 6.7% |
| Heat deflection (HDT 0.45) | 114°C | 100°C | 103°C |
| Glass transition (Tg) | 113°C | 101°C | 98°C |
| Outdoor / UV (standard grade) | Limited · UV-stabilised grades available | Months only | Multi-year |
| Transparent / translucent variant | Yes · PC variant | No | No |
| Density | 1.19 g/cm³ | 1.04 g/cm³ | 1.13 g/cm³ |
| Acetone resistance | Poor · ESC (environmental stress cracking) | Dissolves (smoothable) | Poor |
| Chamber printer required | Yes · 70-100°C ambient (hot) | Yes · 40-50°C ambient | Yes · 40-50°C ambient |
| Post-print annealing | Recommended · 90°C / 2h | Not required | Not required |
| EU food-contact (from Jan 2025) | Banned · BPA-based · Regulation 2024/3190 | Not certified but not banned | Not certified but not banned |
| Cost per kg (filament) | £50-80 | £30-45 | £35-50 |
| Best for | Impact + heat + low-temp · electrical enclosures · optical-capable | Indoor impact · acetone-smoothed · solvent-welded | Sustained outdoor · automotive exterior · weather-exposed signage |
This is 3DPE's standard process for PC · the equipment and the dried-filament discipline are included, no surcharge. Slicer profile and orientation are tuned per part at quote stage.
File or sketch in. Tell us colour, finish, what heat / impact the part sees, whether translucent is needed.
Reviewed inside 24 hours · per-unit cost + grade confirmation (engineering-grade PC engineering or PC for translucent).
Wall thickness, warp-prone geometry, chamber orientation, chemical-exposure check flagged before print.
Filament dried at 75°C for 6h · heated chamber at 70-100°C ambient (much hotter than ABS / ASA) · extraction ventilation.
Post-print anneal at 90°C for 2h to release residual stress (per manufacturer's printing guide) · sand to spec · 2K spray paint for RAL match if needed.
Tracked UK courier, tracking number sent the moment it leaves.
Lead times start when CAD is signed off and grade is confirmed · CAD round-trips on rev requests can extend the clock. Custom RAL colour matching can add 1-2 days for filament procurement. Annealing cycle (2h at 90°C) is mandatory per manufacturer's printing guide.
Production batch of IP-rated electrical enclosures printed in toughened PC · hot-chamber print (70-100°C ambient) for warp-free production, post-annealed at 90°C for 2 hours to release residual stress, 2K-painted in custom RAL for the brand. The PC-specific combination of 100°C+ heat tolerance, impact toughness retained at -30°C, and dielectric properties · the chemistry production electrical enclosures rely on.
PC is polycarbonate · an amorphous engineering thermoplastic produced by polycondensation of bisphenol-A with a carbonate source. The carbonate linkages (-O-CO-O-) in the backbone give PC its signature three-way combination of impact toughness (Charpy notched 21.3 kJ/m², retains 9.2 kJ/m² at -30°C), heat resistance (HDT 114°C at 0.45 MPa, Tg 113°C for the toughened FDM grade), and optical clarity in the PC variant. Tensile strength 53.4 MPa XY (ISO 527), Young's modulus 2435 MPa, density 1.19 g/cm³. The engineering all-rounder for electrical enclosures, impact-resistant equipment housings, optical-capable enclosures, and engineering parts spanning -30°C to +100°C service. Chemically sensitive (ketones, alkaline solutions) and not EU food-safe from 2025 due to BPA content.
"PC is the material I reach for when the brief asks for everything at once · impact and heat and (sometimes) clarity. Electrical enclosures, equipment housings, automotive lighting prototypes, safety-glass-adjacent parts. The chemistry is the reason bulletproof vision panels and motorcycle helmet visors exist. The honest tradeoff is the printer · PC needs a hot chamber (70-100°C, not 40-50°C like ABS), a post-anneal, and you must check for acetone or alkaline exposure before specifying. We've got the kit and we anneal as standard."
Three questions worth answering before specifying PC · how the carbonate linkage produces the three-way engineering combination, what the high-chamber-temperature + post-anneal print process actually requires, and where PC fits versus the styrenic family and the engineering composites.
The repeat unit · two phenyl rings of bisphenol-A joined by a central carbon and linked to the next unit by a carbonate group (-O-CO-O-). The aromatic rings give PC its stiffness and heat resistance · the carbonate linkage gives it impact toughness (the carbonyl can absorb energy via rotation before chain scission). This molecular combination is why PC is the only commodity polymer with impact + heat + clarity in one chemistry.
PC contracts as it cools from 250-270°C extrusion · the high stiffness of the aromatic backbone retains residual stress that drives warping. We use a heated chamber at 70-100°C ambient (much hotter than ABS / ASA chambers at 40-50°C) and post-anneal every part at 90°C for 2 hours to release residual stress · both are manufacturer-mandated. The result: warp-free, stress-relieved parts ready for engineering service.
PC Tg 113°C is 12°C higher than ABS (101°C) and 15°C higher than ASA (98°C). HDT 114°C at 0.45 MPa and 99°C at 1.8 MPa give the widest commodity FDM thermal envelope. The aromatic-backbone chemistry holds the part rigid through hot car dashboards, electrical equipment heat, and engine-bay-adjacent service up to ~110°C sustained.
Polycarbonate is built from one repeat unit: bisphenol-A (two phenyl rings joined by a central carbon with two methyl groups) linked to the next bisphenol-A by a carbonate group (-O-CO-O-). The aromatic phenyl rings give PC its stiffness (Young's modulus 2435 MPa) and thermal stability (Tg 113°C, HDT 114°C). The carbonate linkage gives PC its impact toughness · the carbonyl group can absorb impact energy by rotation and partial chain extension before scission, so cracks don't propagate cleanly. The single combination of stiff aromatic backbone + energy-absorbing carbonate linkage is why PC has Charpy notched 21.3 kJ/m² and HDT 114°C in the same polymer · no other commodity FDM polymer does both.
Optical clarity comes from the same chemistry: amorphous structure (no crystallisation to scatter light) plus the aromatic backbone (refractive index ~1.585 · similar to optical glass). Bulk PC is glass-clear. FDM-printed PC scatters light at layer interfaces, so the printed--PC variant is translucent rather than glass-clear · still useful for diffusers, vision windows, specimen chambers.
PC prints at 250-270°C and the aromatic backbone is stiff · meaning the polymer chains don't relax easily as the part cools. Without a heated build chamber (70-100°C ambient · much hotter than ABS / ASA's 40-50°C), the cooling thermal gradient drives warping AND traps residual internal stress in the part. Even with the hot chamber, some residual stress remains · PC retains its stiffness through cooling rather than relaxing it.
The post-print anneal at 90°C for 2 hours releases that residual stress. Without annealing, PC parts hold internal stress that can cause delayed cracking under load, chemical-environment stress cracking (ESC), or dimensional drift over weeks. The TDS makes annealing a manufacturer-mandated step. We anneal every PC part as standard · slight dimensional shrinkage (~0.5%) is the trade-off for substantially improved long-term stability.
PC's chemical sensitivity comes from the carbonate linkage · which can be attacked by both nucleophiles (alkalis, alcoholic alkaline cleaners) and certain solvents that swell the aromatic backbone (acetone, MEK, ketones, chlorinated solvents). Environmental stress cracking (ESC) is the mode: a load + chemistry combination that splits the polymer along grain boundaries even at low solvent concentrations. PC is reliable in air, water, and oils · NOT reliable in industrial cleaning environments.
The food-contact issue is separate: PC's monomer is bisphenol-A (BPA), an endocrine-disrupting compound. The European Food Safety Authority's 2023 review concluded current BPA exposure levels are unsafe across all age groups · the EU then enacted Regulation 2024/3190 banning BPA in food-contact materials from 20 January 2025. Single-use food-contact materials have a phase-out until 20 July 2026, but ongoing PC food-contact production is no longer permitted in the EU. Outside the EU, regulation varies · check local rules before specifying.
Values measured to the ISO standards cited in the right-hand column, on the manufacturer's own injection-moulded test specimens · directly comparable to other engineering thermoplastics.
| Property | XY · print plane | Z · build axis | Unit | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||||
| Tensile strength | 53.44 | 41.43 | MPa | ISO 527 |
| Young's modulus | 2435 | 2149 | MPa | ISO 527 |
| Elongation at break | 4.53 | 2.79 | % | ISO 527 |
| Flexural strength (XY) | 81.29 | MPa | ISO 178 | |
| Flexural modulus (XY) | 2050 | MPa | ISO 178 | |
| Charpy impact (notched, XY) | 21.28 | kJ/m² | ISO 179 | |
| Charpy impact (notched, -30°C) | 9.2 | kJ/m² | ISO 179-1/1eA:2010 | |
| Thermal | ||||
| Heat deflection (HDT @ 0.45 MPa) | 114 | °C | ISO 75 | |
| Heat deflection (HDT @ 1.8 MPa) | 99 | °C | ISO 75 | |
| Glass transition temperature (Tg) | 113 | °C | DSC, 10°C/min | |
| Vicat softening temperature | 117 | °C | ISO 306 | |
| Decomposition temperature | >360 | °C | TGA, 20°C/min | |
| Physical | ||||
| Density | 1.19 | g/cm³ @ 23°C | ISO 1183 | |
| Melt index | 6-8 | g/10min | 260°C, 1.2kg | |
| Equilibrium water absorption | 0.253 | % | manufacturer test | |
| Tensile anisotropy ratio | 1.29× | XY/Z | derived from ISO 527 | |
| Low-temp Charpy retention | 43 | % of room-temp value at -30°C | derived from ISO 179 | |
| Chemical resistance · manufacturer-rated | ||||
| Weak acids | Good | · | manufacturer TDS | |
| Strong acids | Poor | · | manufacturer TDS | |
| Weak alkalis | Fair | · | manufacturer TDS | |
| Strong alkalis | Poor | · | manufacturer TDS | |
| Oils and grease | Good | · | manufacturer TDS | |
| Acetone / ketones | Poor · environmental stress cracking | · | PC chemistry | |
| Regulatory · food-contact | ||||
| EU food-contact compliance (from Jan 2025) | BANNED · BPA-based | · | EU Regulation 2024/3190 | |
| Process · supply | ||||
| Print temperature range | 250-270 | °C | manufacturer printing guide | |
| Bed temperature | 90-105 | °C | manufacturer printing guide | |
| Chamber required | Yes · 70-100°C ambient (hot) | · | manufacturer printing guide | |
| Pre-print drying | 75°C for 6 hours | · | manufacturer printing guide | |
| Post-print annealing | 90°C for 2 hours · mandatory | · | manufacturer printing guide | |
| Translucent variant available | Yes · PC for light-transmission parts | · | sibling grade | |
| Custom RAL match | Yes (1-2 day procurement) | · | on request | |
PC's anisotropy is 1.29× XY/Z (53.4/41.4 MPa per TDS V5.4) · standard FDM directionality, similar to PLA. Z-axis features carry ~77% of the XY tensile strength. For impact-loaded parts orient XY-direction load paths; the toughened-modified PC chemistry still gives good Z-axis Charpy in the printed grade.
PC's combination of high tensile (53.4 MPa) and very high impact (Charpy 21.3 kJ/m² at room, 9.2 at -30°C) means thin walls survive impact better than any other commodity FDM polymer. The values shown follow the Hubs / Protolabs Network FDM minimums (0.8 mm supported, 2.0 mm minimum feature) but PC's engineering use case usually warrants 1.5 mm structural or thicker · we DFM-check the wall thickness against your part's load case at quote stage.
45° is the slicer-default support threshold across every major FDM tool (Hubs / Protolabs Network) · PC's hot-chamber print environment (70-100°C ambient) means cooling is the slowest of any commodity FDM filament, so steep overhangs sag more without aggressive support. We DFM-check overhangs at quote stage and recommend orientation.
PC contracts ~0.5% from print temperature to room temperature, plus an additional ~0.5% during the 90°C / 2h anneal cycle. We design CAD with a ~1% over-size on critical dimensions to compensate · the predictability is good because the chamber print + standard anneal cycle is reproducible. Exact tolerance depends on part size, geometry, and calibration · we confirm achievable tolerance against your CAD at quote stage.
Removes 0.1-0.3 mm per surface · pre-paint prep or stand-alone hand-feel polish.
PC's stiff aromatic backbone retains residual stress through chamber-print cooling. Without annealing, parts can crack under load weeks after printing, drift dimensionally, or fail under chemical exposure (environmental stress cracking). The manufacturer-mandated anneal cycle releases that stress · slight ~0.5% shrinkage is the trade-off for substantially improved long-term stability. We anneal every PC part as standard.
PC takes paint cleanly with adhesion-promoting primer. Adds 0.05-0.15 mm per surface · sand to 800 grit, primer + topcoat. Acetone-smoothing is NOT recommended for PC · acetone causes environmental stress cracking, even at low concentrations. Sand-and-paint is the only clean cosmetic route.
The engineering-grade PC flagship is opaque toughened-modified. For light-transmission parts the PC variant preserves PC's optical clarity in a printable filament. FDM layer interfaces scatter light so the result is translucent rather than glass-clear · perfect for light diffusers, equipment vision windows, lab specimen chambers. Lower impact than engineering-grade PC (Charpy ~4 kJ/m² vs 21 kJ/m²) but optical capability is the wedge.
Every value on this page traces to an ISO test method · the manufacturer's V5.4 EN TDS, cross-checked against the PDF in-session. Low-temperature Charpy (-30°C) is reported because PC's TDS publishes it · most other commodity TDSs don't.
No offshore subcontracting. Files, prints, and couriers all stay in the UK · and we run every PC job in a hot-chamber printer (70-100°C ambient) followed by a 90°C / 2h post-print anneal cycle. The hardware PC needs to print right.
Send three things: where the part lives (heat range, impact loads, chemistry seen), what it does (functional / load-bearing / optical), and finish (RAL paint, translucent, as-printed). our team come back inside 24 hours · if ABS, ASA, PA12-CF, or another material fits better, we say so.
our team review every brief before quote. No ticket queue, no account managers.
According to the PolyLite PC TDS, PC delivers tensile XY 69.1 ± 3.0 MPa per ISO 527 with HDT 111 °C @ 0.45 MPa and Tg 113 °C · amorphous transparent engineering polycarbonate.
PC is polycarbonate · an amorphous engineering thermoplastic with carbonate linkages (-O-CO-O-) in the backbone. The chemistry gives PC three engineering wedges in one polymer: impact toughness (Charpy notched 21.3 kJ/m², 7× higher than PLA / PETG and ~17% higher than ABS), heat resistance (HDT 114°C at 0.45 MPa, 113°C Tg for the toughened FDM grade), and optical-clarity capability (clear PC variant available). No other commodity FDM polymer combines all three. The flagship 3DPE grade is a toughened-modified PC (engineering-grade PC TDS V5.4).
Exceptional. PC retains 9.2 kJ/m² Charpy notched at -30°C · 43% of its room-temperature value (21.3 kJ/m²). Most engineering thermoplastics become brittle as they cool · PC stays tough. This is why polycarbonate is the standard for outdoor electrical enclosures, automotive headlight lenses, and impact-resistant equipment housings that see UK winter service.
NO in the EU from 20 January 2025. EU Regulation 2024/3190 bans bisphenol-A (BPA) in food-contact materials. PC is BPA-based · its monomer is bisphenol-A · so PC is no longer permitted for EU food-contact service. The regulation also bans other bisphenols (BPS, BPAF, TBBPA). For food-contact applications use PETG with a food-safe overcoat, or specify a certified food-grade polymer. Outside the EU, PC food-contact compliance varies by jurisdiction; check local regulation before specifying.
Mixed and trickier than ABS / ASA. Per TDS · GOOD against weak acids and oils/grease. FAIR against weak alkalis. POOR against strong acids and strong alkalis. PC is particularly sensitive to alkaline solutions, alcoholic alkaline cleaners, and most ketones · acetone causes environmental stress cracking (ESC), which can fail PC parts catastrophically even at low concentrations. IPA is tolerated (cleaning wipes safe). For chemical-service parts use PA12 or PP.
Tg sits at 113°C for this FDM-printed toughened grade · note: bulk PC chemistry textbooks cite 150°C Tg, but the actual printed-and-tested grade is 113°C (DSC, 10°C/min). HDT is 114°C at 0.45 MPa and 99°C at 1.8 MPa per TDS V5.4. Vicat softening 117°C. Decomposition above 360°C. PC handles oven-adjacent fixtures, electrical-enclosure heat, and under-bonnet brackets up to 110°C sustained. For higher temperatures specify PA12-CF (130°C+ HDT) or PEEK.
PC prints at 250-270°C and contracts significantly as it cools · the high stiffness of the polymer backbone retains print-induced residual stress that drives warping. The TDS requires a heated chamber at 70-100°C ambient temperature (much hotter than ABS / ASA chambers at 40-50°C). Without the heated chamber PC warps, delaminates, and develops layer-line stress cracks. We post-anneal every PC part at 90°C for 2 hours to release residual stress · also per the manufacturer printing guide.
Yes in the optical PC variant ( PC), but with FDM caveats. Bulk PC is the polymer of choice for bulletproof vision panels, automotive headlight lenses, and safety goggles · the transparent / translucent FDM grade preserves this chemistry. However, FDM layer interfaces scatter light, so a 3D-printed PC part is translucent rather than glass-clear · perfect for light diffusers, equipment vision windows, and specimen chambers, less suitable for parts that need optical-quality clarity. The toughened-engineering flagship (engineering-grade PC) is opaque · pick PC for the transparent variant.
Different tools. PC wins on: impact at low temperature (retains 9.2 kJ/m² at -30°C where ABS embrittles), heat resistance (HDT 114°C vs ABS 100°C), tensile strength (53.4 vs 33.4 MPa), and transparent-capable variant. ABS wins on: ease of print (lower chamber temp 40-50°C vs PC's 70-100°C), acetone-smoothability, solvent welding, lower cost. If the part sees low-temperature impact loads or sustained heat above 80°C, choose PC. For indoor impact-loaded parts at room temperature, ABS is lower-cost and easier.
ASA is the commodity outdoor default · multi-year UV stability, easier to print, 103°C HDT, paintable. UV-stabilised PC is the engineering outdoor upgrade · higher HDT (~130°C for UV-stabilised PC grades), clearer/transparent grades possible, much higher impact toughness, but harder to print (250-270°C nozzle, 70-100°C chamber required) and BPA-based (food-contact ban in EU). For most outdoor service parts ASA is the right answer; pick PC when you also need engineering-grade impact, optical clarity, or sustained service above 110°C.
Mixed and trickier than the styrenic family. Per TDS · GOOD against weak acids and oils/grease. FAIR against weak alkalis. POOR against strong acids and strong alkalis. PC is particularly sensitive to ketones (acetone, MEK), alkaline alcoholic cleaners, and chlorinated solvents · all cause environmental stress cracking (ESC). Match your specific exposure below before specifying.
| Chemical / family | Resistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Weak acids (acetic, citric, dilute organic) | Good | Manufacturer TDS rating |
| Strong acids (sulphuric, HCl, nitric) | Poor | Manufacturer TDS rating · attacks carbonate linkage |
| Weak alkalis (dilute soap, mild bleach) | Fair | Manufacturer TDS rating · short-term only · ESC risk |
| Strong alkalis (caustic soda, ammonia) | Poor | Manufacturer TDS rating · hydrolyses PC backbone |
| Oils and grease | Good | Manufacturer TDS rating · sustained contact OK |
| Cold water | Good | Low water absorption (0.253% equilibrium) |
| Hot water (sustained > 90°C) | Limited | Approaches HDT · hydrolysis over months |
| Steam autoclave (121°C) | Fails (long-term) | Hydrolyses carbonate linkages · breaks down after ~10 cycles |
| IPA (isopropanol) wipe-down | Good | Cleaning safe · no ESC at low concentration |
| Alkaline alcoholic cleaners | ESC risk | The most dangerous PC exposure · stress cracking under load |
| Acetone, MEK (ketones) | ESC + dissolves | Even low-concentration acetone causes failure under load |
| Toluene, xylene (aromatic hydrocarbons) | Dissolves | Swells the aromatic backbone · do not use |
| Petrol, diesel (brief) | Limited | Brief contact OK · sustained causes ESC |
| Chlorinated solvents (DCM, chloroform) | Dissolves | Industrial PC solvents · do not use in service |
| UV exposure (UK outdoor, standard PC) | Limited | Standard PC yellows over months · use UV-stabilised PC grades or ASA for sustained outdoor |
| Gamma irradiation (≤ 25 kGy) | Tolerated | PC handles single-dose gamma sterilisation |
| Ethylene oxide sterilisation | Good | Compatible · standard medical sterilisation route |
| Food contact (EU, from Jan 2025) | Banned | BPA-based · Regulation 2024/3190 |
First five rows are direct manufacturer TDS ratings. Remaining rows reflect industry-typical PC behaviour and 3DPE workshop experience. Environmental stress cracking (ESC) is the dominant PC failure mode · a load + chemistry combination splits the polymer along grain boundaries even at low solvent concentrations. For chemical-service parts use PA12 or PP.
Yes · the TDS recommends 90°C for 2 hours post-print to release residual internal stress. PC's stiff backbone retains print-induced thermal stress that the heated-chamber print does not fully eliminate. Annealing brings the part to dimensional and stress equilibrium · slight dimensional shrinkage (~0.5%) is the trade-off for substantially improved long-term stability and lower risk of stress cracking under chemical exposure. We anneal every PC part as standard.
No, not long-term. Steam at 121°C hydrolyses PC's carbonate linkages · the polymer breaks down after approximately 10 autoclave cycles. For single-use sterilisation PC tolerates steam briefly, but for repeated sterilisation specify PEEK or PPSU. Dry-heat sterilisation below 110°C, ethylene oxide, IPA wipe-down, gamma irradiation (PC tolerates ~25 kGy) all work.
Filament cost is roughly £50-80/kg for engineering-grade PC · about 2× ABS (£30-45/kg) and ~50% above ASA (£35-50/kg). Still well below engineering composites like PA12-CF (£90-130/kg). The total quote depends on print time + post-processing · PC's high chamber temperature (70-100°C) and post-anneal cycle add to lead time. For impact + heat + optical-capable engineering work, PC's price is justified by the unique three-way combination.
You'll hear back from our team within 24 hours · with material-fit check, grade confirmation (engineering-grade PC engineering or PC translucent), BPA / chemistry check, and lead time on every quote.