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PC/ABS filament

Polycarbonate and ABS in one filament: tough, impact-resistant and heat-resistant.

PC/ABS filament combines polycarbonate with ABS. The polycarbonate makes the material tougher, more impact-resistant and more heat-resistant; the ABS keeps it easy to print. Fiberlogy PC/ABS prints at 230–250 °C, lower than our regular ABS, and comes in black and natural. Below the products you can read when to choose PC/ABS and how to print it. Read more…

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What is PC/ABS?

PC/ABS is a blend of polycarbonate (PC) and ABS. Polycarbonate is known for its high impact strength and heat resistance, ABS for its strength and good processability. Together they make a material widely used in industry for electronics housings and car interior parts. Fiberlogy PC/ABS has good layer adhesion and is easy to print if you have experience with ABS.

PC/ABS or regular ABS?

ABSPC/ABS
Nozzle250–265 °C230–250 °C
Print bed90–110 °C80–100 °C
Toughness and impact resistanceGoodHigher
ColoursMany solid colours, also transparentBlack and natural

Choose PC/ABS for parts that have to withstand drops, knocks or vibration. For most other technical prints, ABS is enough. If the part will be outdoors, choose ASA. You will find all types under ABS & ASA filament.

Printing PC/ABS: the right settings

  • Nozzle: 230–250 °C.
  • Print bed: 80–100 °C, with a thin layer of adhesive.
  • Cooling: little or off.
  • Enclosure: recommended. Like ABS, PC/ABS shrinks as it cools; a closed printer or enclosure prevents warping.
  • Ventilation: PC/ABS gives off fumes while printing. Print in a well-ventilated room.

Something going wrong? Read solving 3D printing problems.

Properties of PC/ABS: the pros and cons

Pros

  • Tougher and more impact-resistant than ABS: less likely to break when dropped or knocked
  • Keeps its strength and shape at higher temperatures
  • Good bonding between layers
  • Easy to drill, saw and sand

Cons

  • Prone to warping, a closed printer is recommended
  • Gives off fumes, so ventilation is needed
  • Not UV resistant

Uses of PC/ABS

  • Enclosures: for electronics, devices and gadgets.
  • Car: interior parts and mounts that have to withstand vibration and heat.
  • Machines and tools: brackets, tool holders and handles.
  • Prototypes: functional prototypes that you actually put under load.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is PC/ABS more heat-resistant than ABS?

    Yes, the polycarbonate helps PC/ABS keep its strength and shape at higher temperatures better than regular ABS. Fiberlogy does not give an exact temperature. For parts that get warm and also stand in the sun, ASA is a better choice: it keeps its shape up to around 94 °C and is UV resistant.

  • Can you use PC/ABS outdoors?

    For a short time, yes, but PC/ABS is not UV resistant. In the sun it discolours and becomes more brittle over time. For parts that stay outdoors for years, choose ASA.

  • What printer do you need for PC/ABS?

    You need a hotend that reaches 250 °C and a heated bed up to 100 °C. With hotends that have a PTFE tube running down to the nozzle, 250 °C is the limit; an all-metal hotend is better. A closed printer makes printing larger parts much more reliable.

  • Do you need a hardened nozzle for PC/ABS?

    No. PC/ABS contains no fibres and does not wear a brass nozzle faster than regular ABS. You only need a hardened nozzle for filament with glass or carbon fibre, such as ABS+GF.

  • Do I need to dry PC/ABS?

    Polycarbonate absorbs moisture from the air. If you hear crackling while printing, or see bubbles or a rough surface, the filament is probably damp. Dry it in a filament dryer and store spools sealed with silica gel beads.