3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PA11 vs PC

Compare printing settings, strength, heat resistance, dated prices and sources.

PA11 (Nylon 11) guidePolycarbonate (PC) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PA11 comparisonsMore PC comparisons
PA11 vs PC — documented properties and sources
PropertyPA11 (Nylon 11)PAPolycarbonate (PC)PC
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$194.98/kg median; $194.98–$194.98/kg across 1 dated product listings$39.99/kg median; $29.99–$92.00/kg across 9 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPolyamide 11, polymerised from castor-oil-derived aminoundecanoic acid — a bio-based nylon[1][2]Bisphenol-A polycarbonate — an amorphous engineering thermoplastic[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.02 (ISO 1183)[1]1.19 (Polymaker) to 1.22 (Prusament), ISO 1183; Bambu Lab 1.20; Stratasys specific gravity 1.20 (ASTM D792)[3][5][6][7]
Typical priceUSD/kgNot documented1 kg spools cluster near 40[6][8][9]
Price range across brandsUSD/kgNot documented30–92 across brands; Polymaker PolyLite 30, Bambu Lab 40, Polymaker PolyMax 52, Prusament 59, 3DXTech ezPC 64 and 3DXMAX PC 92[8][6][9][10]
Market availability1–5Niche, a handful of specialist brands[2]Available from several mainstream brands[6][8][10][9]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 mm; 1 kg spools[2]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75, 0.9, 1 and 3 kg spools[8][10][9]
Typical applicationsTough, chemically resistant functional parts; Prusa targets it at impact-loaded and vibration-loaded components[2]Light guides, lenses, under-bonnet automotive parts and impact-loaded housings that must hold shape above 110 °C[4][3]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.02 (Prusament)[1]±0.03 (Prusament PC Blend)[5]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C275 ± 10 (Prusament)[1]250–280 across brands; Prusament 275 ± 10, Bambu Lab 260–280, Polymaker 250–270. Polymaker's material guide gives a wider 260–310 for PC and its composites[5][6][3][4]
Bed temperature°C100 ± 10 (Prusament)[1]90–115; Prusament 110 ± 10, Bambu Lab 90–110, Polymaker 90–105[5][6][3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive) — Prusament specifies a 55 ± 5 °C chamber[1]Enclosure required (passive) — Polymaker specifies a 70–100 °C chamber, Bambu Lab 45–60 °C and rules out its P1P and A-series machines[3][6][11]
Recommended chamber temperature°C55 ± 5 (Prusament)[1]70–100 (Polymaker); 45–60 (Bambu Lab)[3][6]
Part cooling fanNot documentedOff or very low — Polymaker specifies off, Prusament 20 % within a 0–30 % range, Bambu Lab 0–60 %[3][5][6]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPA nylon sheet (Prusament)[1]Textured PEI with glue when needed (Polymaker); smooth or textured PEI (Bambu Lab)[3][12]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented24 at Bambu Lab's 300 mm/s cap on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer; Polymaker allows 50–200 mm/s and its material guide advises 30–60 for layer adhesion[6][3][4][13]
Warping tendency1–5Not documentedSevere — heated chamber needed[3][4][11]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Not documentedNeeds a specific surface plus adhesive[3][11]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Not documentedModerate — retraction tuning needed[4]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[1][14]Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[4][11]
Extruder requirementPrusa printed its test specimens with a high-flow CHT nozzle[1]All-metal hotend rated to 300 °C; Polymaker advises larger nozzles and high chamber temperatures to improve bonding[4]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely for unfilled grades[14]Brass fine indefinitely[11]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive when unfilled[14]Non-abrasive[3]
Nozzle clog risk1–5High — jams from moisture, heat creep or particles[15]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[4]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Not documentedSlightly sensitive[16]
Hotend requirementNot documentedAll-metal hot end required (Simplify3D); Polymaker advises a hot end rated above 300 °C[16][4]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5High (0.8–2 %) — Prusa measures 0.46 % after 7 days at 22 % RH, but PA11 sits between PA12 and PA6 in the family[1][15]Low — 0.25 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); Prusa measures 0.15 % after 7 days at 22 % RH. Polymaker nonetheless calls PC highly hygroscopic in service[6][5][4]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.26 after 24 h and 0.46 after 7 days (Prusa Polymers method)[1]0.25 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.15 after 7 days at 24 °C / 22 % RH (Prusa)[6][5]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab); 75 °C for 6 h (Polymaker); 70–80 °C for 6–8 h (Polymaker material guide)[6][3][4]
Symptoms when wetPopping and cracking during extrusion, then hard-to-diagnose defects[17]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[15]
Effect of moisture on strengthPrusa publishes no dry-versus-conditioned columns; the CoPA reference shows the PA-family response — stiffness and strength fall sharply, impact and elongation rise[17][18]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published. Polymaker calls PC highly hygroscopic and requires a 70–80 °C dry for 6–8 h; run wet, the loss shows as surface defects and poor layer adhesion[4][15]
Storage requirementSealed below 20 % RH with desiccant[15]Airtight containers with desiccant to prevent reabsorption[4]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa38.3 ± 0.8 printed horizontal and 39.5 ± 0.5 printed vertical at yield, ISO 527-1[1]53.4 (PolyMax) to 69.1 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 527; Bambu Lab 62 +/- 2 and Prusament 63 +/- 1 at yield; Stratasys 62.3-64.6 at yield printed XZ, ASTM D638 (its PC White table duplicates the Antero 840CN03 figures and was not used)[3][19][6][5][20][7]
Young's modulusMPa1200 printed, both orientations, ISO 527-1[1]2110 (Bambu Lab) to 2497 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 527; Prusament 1900, 3DXTech 2180[6][3][5][20]
Elongation at break%5.6 ± 0.1 at yield, printed, ISO 527-1[1]3.8 (Bambu Lab) to 4.8 (PolyLite) at break, printed XY, ISO 527; 3DXTech quotes 14 at break, Prusament 5.8 at yield[6][3][20][5]
Flexural strengthMPaNot documented81.3 (PolyMax) to 108 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 178; Prusament 88 ± 1, PolyLite 106.1[19][6][5][3]
Flexural modulusMPa1100 printed horizontal and 1000 printed vertical, ISO 178[1]2050 (PolyMax) to 2640 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 178; Prusament 2100[19][3][5]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²12.9 ± 2.1 printed horizontal and 11.7 ± 1.2 printed vertical, ISO 179-1 notched[1]4.1 (PolyLite) to 21.3 (PolyMax) printed XY, ISO 179, notched; Prusament 12 ± 1[3][19][5]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched does not break on Prusa's pendulum in either orientation (ISO 179-1); PolyMax PC retains 9.2 kJ/m2 notched at -30 °C. Stratasys PC Black gives 85.3 MPa flexural strength at break in ZX against no break in XZ (ASTM D790, printed)[5][19][7]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa32 ± 1 (Prusa Polymers interlayer adhesion test) — the highest interlayer figure Prusa publishes for any of its filaments[1]37.1-45.3 at yield printed ZX (Stratasys PC Black and Red, ASTM D638); 41.4 (PolyMax) to 56 (Bambu Lab) printed Z; Prusa's interlayer adhesion test gives 21 +/- 2[5][19][6][7]
Brittleness1–5Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[1]Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[4][5]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / Rockwell70 Shore D (Prusa Polymers method)[1]Shore D 79 (Prusa Polymers method) and Shore D 79 on extruded PC stock (ASTM D2240); Rockwell 70 (118) — the source does not name the scales[5][21]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Not documentedExcellent — holds load for years. Room-temperature tensile creep of moulded PC was still running unbroken at 41 MPa when the experiment was stopped for time; specimens failed within the test window only at 47-52 MPa (ASTM D638)[22]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Excellent — living hinges viable[14]Good[5][4]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Semi-flexible[1]Rigid[3]
Z strength as % of XY%84 — Prusa publishes a tensile anisotropy coefficient of 0.84, the ratio of Z to XY tensile strength[1]59-73 (Stratasys PC Black and Red, ZX against XZ tensile yield, ASTM D638); 76 for PolyLite PC and 90 for Bambu Lab (printed Z against XY tensile)[6][3][7]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C58.7 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa)[1]110 (PolyMax PC-FR) to 114 (PolyMax PC), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa; Bambu Lab 112, PolyLite 111, Prusament 113. Stratasys FDM PC reaches 144 printed (ASTM D648 Method B at 66 psi)[19][3][6][5][7]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C49.9 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa)[1]93 (Prusament) to 117 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa; PolyLite 107, PolyMax 99. Stratasys FDM PC reaches 141 printed (ASTM D648 Method B at 264 psi)[5][6][3][19][7]
Glass transition (Tg)°CNot documented113 (Polymaker, DSC), 142.5 (Stratasys, ASTM D7426 inflection point) and 145 (Bambu Lab, DSC); Polymaker's material guide quotes 150[3][6][4][7]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documentedAmorphous — no melting point; Vicat 117–120 (Polymaker, ISO 306); decomposition above 360 °C[3][19]
Continuous service temperature°CNot documented113 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament PC Blend; extruded PC stock is rated 121 long term (converted from 250 °F)[5][21]
Annealing responseNot documented90 °C for 2 h (Polymaker)[3]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·KNot documented51.6 in XY over -50 to 30 °C, falling to 35.8 over 30-75 °C and 11.5 over 75-130 °C; 49.2 in XZ over -50 to 120 °C (printed, ASTM E831). Extruded PC stock gives 68.4 (ASTM D696)[7][21]
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedFlammable; no UL 94 rating on standard PC, though V-0 grades exist[23][3]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Not documentedDegrades within weeks outdoors — unstabilised PC yellows and embrittles under UV[4]
Chemical resistanceNot documentedWithstands oils, solvents and fuels; Polymaker rates it good against weak acids[4]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Absorbs water, properties shift[17]Good — minor absorption[6]
Food contactNot documentedBisphenol-A polycarbonate is not offered as food-contact filament[4]
Biodegradability / compostabilityBio-based — the monomer comes from castor oil[2]Not biodegradable[4]
RecyclabilityNot documentedMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[4]
Electrical & ESD propertiesNot documentedSurface resistance above 10¹³ ohm/sq — an electrical insulator, which Polymaker lists as a headline advantage[20][4]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[24]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[24]
VOC emission rateµg/minUp to 180 caprolactam, the dominant VOC from nylon; total VOC reached nearly 200 µg/min, the highest of the nine filaments tested[24]Not documented
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min≈2 × 10⁸ median — low for ultrafine particles despite the highest VOC mass of any filament tested[24]≈4 × 10¹⁰ median — the highest ultrafine-particle rate of the nine filaments in the chamber study, above every ABS tested[24]
Hazardous species emittedCaprolactam, at up to 180 µg/min from nylon filament — the largest single-VOC emission rate measured in the study[24]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[24]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[24][11]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningNot documentedSands and machines well; the toughness means it cuts rather than chips[16]
Painting & finishingNot documentedOptical clarity survives printing, so transparent parts are usually left unpainted[4]
Gluing & solvent weldingNot documentedCyanoacrylate; dichloromethane solvent-welds PC but is a laboratory reagent[16]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNot documentedNo practical vapour smoothing[16]
Support material pairingNot documentedPrints its own supports; 3DXTech sells a dedicated PC break-away support[16]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedWarping is the dominant accuracy limit; light transmission 89 % on PolyLite PC (GB/T 2410)[3][4]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDissolved at 23 °C by formic acid, phenol, m-cresol, 96 % sulphuric acid or hexafluoroisopropanol — all laboratory reagents.[25][26]Dichloromethane, chloroform, DMF and dioxane dissolve it outright (Covestro, 6 days at 23 °C). Laboratory reagents.[27]
Softened or crazed byMineral acids, oxidants, halogens and zinc chloride solutions attack the amide bond; ordinary solvents do not (BASF, PA6/66).[25]Methanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell it.[27]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentNone — nylon's only solvents are formic acid, phenol and HFIP, all of which degrade the part they wet.[25]Dichloromethane cement welds PC — 16.5 MPa lap shear at one week (IPS Weld-On 3). A controlled carcinogen.[28]

Material entries describe families or representative grades, not an interchangeable specification for every spool. Test methods, orientations and conditions may differ. Unknown values are marked “Not documented”. Prices and source dates remain historical snapshots; check the linked guide for product details. Differences highlight text, not a universal winner.

Sources for this comparison

  1. Prusament PA11 Technical Datasheet v1.0 Prusa Polymers · 2026-07 · tds
  2. Prusament PA11 — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  3. PolyLite PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  4. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  5. Prusament PC Blend Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  6. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V2.0 — PC Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  7. PC (Polycarbonate) — FDM Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2026-04 · tds
  8. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  12. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — PC FR Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  13. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  14. PA (Nylon) — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  15. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Moisture Conditioning — effect on printed nylon properties Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  18. PolyMide CoPA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 (dry and wet status blocks) Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  19. PolyMax PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  20. ezPC Polycarbonate Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  21. TECANAT natural (PC) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  22. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  23. PolyMax PC-FR Technical Data Sheet V5.5 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  24. Emissions of Ultrafine Particles and Volatile Organic Compounds from Commercially Available Desktop Three-Dimensional Printers with Multiple Filaments (Azimi et al.) Environmental Science & Technology 50(3) 1260-1268 · 2016-01 · paper
  25. Ultramid Nylon Chemical Resistance guide (unmodified PA6 B27E and PA66 A27E) BASF · 2026-08 · tds
  26. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  27. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  28. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds