Polycarbonate (PC) vs ABS
Side-by-side comparison of Polycarbonate (PC) and ABS for 3D printing — strength, temperature resistance, cost, and recommended printer settings on the Epicblaze v1.
| Property | Polycarbonate (PC) | ABS |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 55–75 MPa | 40–50 MPa |
| Temperature Resistance | ~147°C (glass transition) | ~105°C (glass transition) |
| Cost per kg | $35–55 | $18–30 |
When to use Polycarbonate (PC)
Structural and load-bearing parts — automotive brackets, clear protective shields, high-temperature electronic housings, and parts requiring optical clarity with strength.
When to use ABS
Cost-effective functional prototypes — enclosures, snap-fit assemblies, and parts where impact resistance matters more than temperature or optical clarity.
Epicblaze v1 Printer Settings
Polycarbonate (PC) Settings
Nozzle: 280–310°C, Bed: 110–130°C. Requires heated enclosure and dry filament. The Epicblaze v1's 350°C extruder is one of the few desktop printers that prints true polycarbonate reliably.
ABS Settings
Nozzle: 230–250°C, Bed: 95–110°C. Heated enclosure recommended. Standard on the Epicblaze v1.
Our Recommendation
Polycarbonate is the strongest printable thermoplastic on most desktop 3D printers — nearly unbreakable and transparent. But it demands a high-temperature printer. If your prototype doesn't need heat resistance above 100°C or optical clarity, ABS at half the cost is the pragmatic choice. The Epicblaze v1 is specifically designed to handle PC's demanding temperature requirements.
Free test print in Polycarbonate (PC) or ABS
Upload your design and choose your material. We'll print it on the Epicblaze v1 and ship it free — so you can compare materials with your actual part geometry.
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