PC (polycarbonate)

Production-grade Thermoplastic

A true industrial thermoplastic, PC (polycarbonate) is widely used in automotive, aerospace, medical and many other applications. PC offers accuracy, durability and stability, creating strong parts that withstand functional testing.

PC has superior mechanical properties to ABS and a number of other thermoplastics. When combined with a Stratasys 3D Printer, PC gives you strong parts for conceptual modeling, functional prototyping, manufacturing tools, and production parts. PC runs the Xtend 500 Fortus Plus option, which enables more than 400 hours of unattended build time.

PC (polycarbonate) Material Properties

Behaviour and use

TENSILE STRENGTH

40 MPa XZ axis
30 MPa ZX axis

FLEXURAL STRENGTH

89 MPa XZ axis
68 MPa ZX axis

HDT @ 66 PSI

138°C

IZOD IMPACT, NOTCHED

73 J/m XZ axis
28 J/m ZX axis

Main Uses

Production-grade thermoplastic offering accuracy, durability and stability, creating strong parts that withstand functional testing.

Top Applications
  • Functional testing
  • Manufacturing tooling
  • Production parts

FDM Materials Profile

Learn more about 3D printing FDM parts

Additive Manufacturing reduces fixture costs by 65%

Oreck uses PC thermoplastic to create custom assembly pallets for its commercial vacuum business. Oreck uses Additive Manufacturing extensively to produce prototypes, specialized assembly tools and CNC milling fixtures.

FDM Material Applications

Learn how designers and engineers are using FDM Materials

PC (polycarbonate) Specification & Features

MECHANICAL PROPERTIESTEST METHODENGLISHMETRIC
ZX AxisXZ AxisZX AxisXZ Axis
Tensile Strength, Yield (Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min)ASTM D6385,800 psi4,300 psi40 MPa30 MPa
Tensile Strength, Ultimate (Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min)ASTM D6388,300 psi6,100 psi57 MPa42 MPa
Tensile Modulus (Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min)ASTM D638282,000 psi284,000 psi1,944 MPa1,958 MPa
Tensile Elongation at Break (Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min)ASTM D6384.8%2.5%4.8%2.5%
Tensile Elongation at Yield (Type 1, 0.125”, 0.2”/min)ASTM D6382.2%2%2.2%2%
Flexural Strength (Method 1, 0.05”/min)ASTM D79013,000 psi9,900 psi89 MPa68 MPa
Flexural Modulus (Method 1, 0.05”/min)ASTM D790291,000 psi261,000 psi2,006 MPa1,800 MPa
Flexural Strain at Break (Method 1, 0.05”/min)ASTM D790No break4%No break4%
IZOD Impact, notched (Method A, 23 °C)ASTM D2561.4 ft-lb/in0.5 ft-lb/in73 J/m28 J/m
IZOD Impact, un-notched (Method A, 23 °C)ASTM D25616.4 ft-lb/in3.5 ft-lb/in877 J/m187 J/m
Compressive Strength, Yield (Method 1, 0.05”/min)ASTM D69510,000 psi9,200 psi69 MPa64 MPa
Compressive Strength, Ultimate (Method 1, 0.05”/min)ASTM D69528,000 psi9,400 psi193 MPa65 MPa
Compressive Modulus (Method 1, 0.05”/min)ASTM D6951,100,000 psi227,000 psi7,564 MPa1,565 MPa

 

THERMAL PROPERTIESTEST METHODENGLISHMETRIC
Heat Deflection (HDT) @ 66 psiASTM D648280 °F138 °C
Heat Deflection (HDT) @ 264 psiASTM D648261 °F127 °C
Vicat SofteningASTM D1525282 °F139 °C
Glass Transition (Tg)DMA (SSYS)322 °F161 °C
Melting Point---------Not ApplicableNot Applicable

 

ELECTRICAL PROPERTIESTEST METHODVALUE RANGE
Volume ResistivityASTM D2576.0x10 - 2.0x10 ohm-cm
Dielectric ConstantASTM D150-982.8 - 3.0
Dissipation FactorASTM D150-98.0005 - .0006
Dielectric StrengthASTM D149-09, Method A80 - 360 V/mil

 

OTHERTEST METHODVALUE
Specific GravityASTM D7921.2
Coefficient of Thermal ExpansionASTM E8313.8x10 in/in/°F
Rockwell HardnessASTM D785R115

 

SYSTEM AVAILABILITYLAYER THICKNESS CAPABILITYSUPPORT STRUCTUREAVAILABLE COLOURS
Fortus 450mc
Stratays F900
0.013 inch (0.330 mm)
0.010 inch (0.254 mm)
0.007 inch (0.178 mm)
0.005 inch (0.127 mm)
Breakaway,
Soluble
White

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) Technology

Advantages of 3D printing PC (polycarbonate) with a Stratasys FDM Machine

Tough long-lasting parts

FDM technology works with engineering-grade thermoplastics to build strong, long-lasting and dimensionally stable parts with the best accuracy and repeatability of any 3D printing technology. PC (polycarbonate) parts are tough enough to be used as advanced conceptual models, functional prototypes, manufacturing tools and production parts.

Meet production demands

FDM systems are as versatile and durable as the parts they produce. Advanced FDM 3D Printers boast the largest build envelopes and material capacities in their class, delivering longer, uninterrupted build times, bigger parts and higher quantities than other additive manufacturing systems, delivering high throughput, duty cycles and utilization rates.

Gain new possibilities

FDM 3D Printers streamline processes from design through manufacturing, reducing costs and eliminating traditional barriers along the way. Industries can cut lead times and costs, products turn out better and get to market faster.

Compatible 3D Printers

Stratasys Machines that can print with PC (polycarbonate) material

Fortus 380mc

Fortus 450mc

A workhorse 3D printer for engineers that require demanding flexibility to print larger-sized or many parts in an array of engineering-grade materials with high speed and unfailing throughput.

Stratasys F900 Production Machine

Stratasys F900

The Stratasys F900 is the ultimate manufacturing-grade production 3D printer with the widest array of engineering-grade materials, maximum throughput, largest build platform, and highest accuracy.

Need to 3D print with PC (polycarbonate)?

Call us free at  1-877-219-6757  to speak to an expert, or send us your CAD model and we'll 3D print it with PC (polycarbonate) material