Matériau · FDM
Filament Polycarbonate : guide complet
Polycarbonate (PC) is the most technically performant accessible FDM filament: heat resistance up to 130 °C, exceptional impact strength, possible transparency. Material of windows, motorcycle helmets and industrial housings — now printable.
PC (polycarbonate)
Caractéristiques du Polycarbonate
Notation 0-5 sur les 8 critères qui comptent au quotidien à l'atelier.
- Tenue mécanique
- 5 / 5
- Résistance chaleur
- 5 / 5
- Résistance UV
- 3 / 5
- Souplesse
- 2 / 5
- Aptitude alimentaire
- 2 / 5
- Transparence
- 4 / 5
- Facilité d'impression
- 1 / 5
- Coût matière
- 4 / 5
Pour quels projets choisir le Polycarbonate ?
PC is mandatory for parts that must endure both impact AND heat: motor cover, under-hood automotive functional part, industrial equipment near radiator, 3D printer high-temp enclosure part. Resists up to 130 °C in peak.
Impact-wise, PC is several times stronger than ABS or PETG. The material of bumpers and security glass — bends before breaking, withstands impacts that would shatter any other filament.
Can also be transparent (PC clear), with a more solid feel than transparent SLA resin. Ideal for technical windows, portholes, lighting covers.
Limites du Polycarbonate
Expert filament: nozzle 280-310 °C, bed 110-130 °C, heated enclosure mandatory (>60 °C internal). Most consumer printers don't hit these. Bambu Lab X1C, Prusa MK4, Voron 2.4 — that level of machines.
Very hygroscopic (worse than Nylon): pre-print drying 80 °C / 6-12 h essential. A spool open 48h without dessicant becomes unprintable.
High cost (€70-100/kg) for properties needed only on a minority of parts. For 95% of projects, PETG is plenty.
- Éviter : Impression sans enceinte chauffée
Alternatives au Polycarbonate selon votre usage
Questions fréquentes sur le Polycarbonate
PC for heat resistance (130 °C vs 80 °C Nylon) and maximum rigidity. Nylon for fatigue resistance (repeated cycles) and abrasion resistance. Friction gear: Nylon. Heat-exposed cover: PC. Both at once: glass-filled PC.
Imprimer votre pièce en Polycarbonate
Atelier Unlimit3d, basé à Lille (Hauts-de-France) et Paris. Estimation gratuite, devis sous 24 h, livraison France entière.