Polycarbonate 3d Printing

Moreover polycarbonate materials tend to have a higher glass transition temperature which indicates better high temperature performance.

Polycarbonate 3d printing.

As polycarbonate is a thermoplastic which can be melted and then cooled without degradation it is used with 3d printers using the fdm process. Polycarbonate filament absorbs moisture from it surroundings and thus needs to be dried before printing. Polycarbonate is also available in a filament form which can be used with 3d printers to create prototypes using computer aided design files. The best build surface while 3d printing with polycarbonate is pei.

Abs pla nylon 910 and polycarbonate. Polycarbonate also denoted as pc is a strong durable and tough material. Use a proper build surface pei is the best build surface for polycarbonate. Polycarbonate 3d printing guide and tips.

The material is prone to warping and shrinkage so it s imperative that a consistent temperature be maintained. These tips will help you reduce the chances of common 3d printing issues associated with polycarbonate such as warping stringing and oozing. When it comes to strength polycarbonate truly is the king of 3d printer filament dramatically out performing other materials in strength tests in an informal material strength test airwolf 3d printed a series of hooks using a variety of 3d printing materials. How to succeed when 3d printing polycarbonate.

It s a naturally transparent thermoplastic with high impact resistance and excellent heat resistance. Another option that people consider is build tak. Standard build surfaces like blue tape and glue stick have adhesives that tend to break down at the high temperatures which is a primary condition while printing with polycarbonate. This makes polycarbonate 3d printing an excellent choice for making functioning prototypes especially where transparency and non conductivity are desired.

Polycarbonate 3d printing can be difficult if you don t take the proper precautions. Polycarbonate warps a lot even more than abs and layers often split if you 3d print polycarbonate under the wrong conditions the key to minimizing warping is a high temperature heated bed effective heated chamber or enclosure to keep heat in and good layer adhesion. Download our free cheatsheet to get 100 reliable 3d prints. In addition pc can stand up to wear and tear.

The bed should ideally be between 135 and 150 c. As a 3d printing filament it s heat resistance is both a benefit and a problematic characteristic as it is even more prone to warping and splitting than abs filament. This makes a heated bed essential.