3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PC-ESD vs PCTG

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

ESD-safe PC guidePCTG guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PC-ESD comparisonsMore PCTG comparisons
PC-ESD vs PCTG — documented properties and sources
PropertyESD-safe PCPCPCTGPETG
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$180.00/kg median; $180.00–$180.00/kg across 1 dated product listings$34.99/kg median; $14.00–$50.67/kg across 5 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPolycarbonate compounded with a conductive filler for static-dissipative parts[1]Poly(cyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate) glycol — a copolyester with a higher cyclohexanedimethanol content than PETG[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.24 (ISO 1183, 3DXTech); Stratasys specific gravity 1.195 (ASTM D792)[1][4]1.23 (Extrudr, ASTM D792; 3DXTech, ISO 1183)[3][5]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools cluster near 180[6]1 kg spools cluster near 34[7][5][8]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg180 at 3DXTech's 750 g pricing — the most expensive material in this group[6]14–51 across brands; CHCKX 14 in a 10-roll bundle, Push Plastic 30, Proto-pasta 35 at 1 kg, 3DXTech 51[7][5][9]
Market availability1–5Special order, 1–2 makers worldwide[6]Available from several mainstream brands[7][5][8][10]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g spools plus Stratasys-compatible cartridges[6]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75, 1, 3 and 5 kg spools[7][8][5]
Typical applicationsElectronics fixtures and trays that need PC heat resistance and static dissipation together[1]Transparent covers, guards and impact-loaded parts where PETG cracks[2][3]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented250–270 (Spectrum, Extrudr)[2][3]
Bed temperature°CNot documented60–100 (Spectrum)[2]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive)[11][12]Open frame is fine — Spectrum and Extrudr both say a closed chamber is not necessary, Extrudr adds it helps on larger parts[2][3]
Part cooling fanNot documentedUp to 100 % (Spectrum); 20–50 % (Extrudr)[2][3]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI with a glue stick or a commercial adhesive[13]Textured PEI, satin or powder-coated sheets; on smooth PEI a glue stick acts as a release agent[14][15]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented1.6–16 at the 20–200 mm/s Extrudr rates the material for, on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer[3][16]
Warping tendency1–5Severe — heated chamber needed[11][12]Not documented
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[13][17]Needs the right surface or a thin adhesive — the problem is releasing the part, not sticking it[14][15]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker flags stringing as a common PC problem[17]Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker names stringing as PETG's common quirk[15]
Shrinkage%Not documented0.2–0.5 (Extrudr, ASTM D955)[3]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[11]Easy — minor profile tuning[2][3]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[1]Brass fine indefinitely — Extrudr explicitly states no hardened nozzle is needed[3]
Abrasiveness1–5Moderately abrasive — conductive carbon filler[1]Non-abrasive[3]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns but a 120 °C pre-dry[18]Low — 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns and no minimum layer height for PCTG, only a 65 °C pre-dry[19]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[13]Slightly sensitive[20]
Hotend requirementAll-metal hot end required (Simplify3D)[13]No special hot-end required[20]
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Low (0.1–0.3 %) — the PC matrix takes up 0.15–0.25 % and 3DXTech specifies a 120 °C, 4 h pre-dry[21][22][18]Moderate (0.3–0.8 %) — the copolyester matrix reaches 0.40 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH and 3DXTech specifies a 65 °C, 4 h pre-dry[14][19]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[23]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[23]
Effect of moisture on strengthNo 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[17][23]Polymaker groups PETG with nylon, PVA and TPU as highly hygroscopic; no dry-versus-conditioned strength figures are published for this grade and the loss shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[23]
Storage requirementAirtight containers with desiccant to prevent reabsorption[17]Sealed with desiccant; Polymaker groups PETG with the highly hygroscopic materials[23][15]
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa68 at break (printed XY, ISO 527, 3DXTech) — above the 58 of 3DXTech's unfilled ezPC; Stratasys prints 47.6-49.4 at yield in XZ (ASTM D638)[1][24][4]43–44 at yield and 45–46 at break (ISO 527, injection-moulded resin data from Spectrum and Extrudr); 48 on My Tech Fun printed bars[2][3][25]
Young's modulusMPa2300 (printed XY, ISO 527); Stratasys prints 1960 in XZ and 1810-1910 in ZX (ASTM D638)[1][4]Not documented
Elongation at break%6 at break (printed XY, ISO 527), against 14 for the unfilled grade[1][24]215–220 at break on moulded specimens (ISO 527); 4.3–4.4 at yield[2][3]
Flexural strengthMPa95 (printed XY, ISO 178); Stratasys prints 82.6-83.2 at break in XZ against 46.3-49.5 in ZX (ASTM D790)[1][4]Not documented
Flexural modulusMPa2310 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]Not documented
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented93–94 notched Izod at 23 °C on moulded specimens (ISO 180); 3DXTech quotes 8 by ISO 180/A[2][3][5]
Other impact dataNot documentedIzod 4.14 kJ/m² on My Tech Fun printed bars, against 3.37 for PETG on the same rig[25]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa32.5-37.9 at yield printed ZX (Stratasys, ASTM D638 on the Fortus 450mc and F900)[4]21.6 on My Tech Fun 4×4 mm printed bars, against 32.9 for PETG[25]
Brittleness1–5Moderate[1]Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[2][3]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellRockwell 70 (118) — the source does not name the scales and Shore D 79 on extruded unfilled PC stock (ASTM D785, D2240); no figure is published for an ESD grade[26]69 Shore D measured by My Tech Fun, against 72 for PETG[25]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Excellent — holds load for years. Moulded unfilled PC was still running unbroken under 41 MPa tensile creep at room temperature when the test was stopped, and the conductive filler leaves the glass transition unchanged at 142 °C, so the creep mechanism is polycarbonate's[27][4]Below average — a 12 mm bar sagged to 19.4 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg, slightly worse than PETG's 18.2[25]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Not documentedGood — 215 % elongation at break and 94 kJ/m² notched Izod on moulded specimens (Extrudr, Spectrum)[2][3]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Slightly flexible in thin sections[25]
Z strength as % of XY%68-77 (Stratasys ZX against XZ tensile yield, ASTM D638)[4]Not documented
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C143-146 printed in XY, XZ and ZX (Stratasys, ASTM D648 Method B at 66 psi); 135 moulded[4]Not documented
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C140-144 printed in XY, XZ and ZX (Stratasys, ASTM D648 Method B at 264 psi); 124 moulded[4]Not documented
Glass transition (Tg)°C143 (DSC, 3DXTech) and 142 (Stratasys, ASTM D7426)[1][4]78 (3DXTech, DSC)[5]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documentedAmorphous — no melting point; Vicat 88 (Spectrum, Extrudr)[2][3]
Continuous service temperature°C113 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament PC Blend[22]68 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature, against 65 for PETG[25]
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·K68.4 on extruded unfilled PC stock (ASTM D696; source states 3.8e-5 in/in/°F); no figure is published for a conductive-filled grade[26]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedFlammable; no UL 94 rating published for standard grades[28]
Environment & Chemical
Chemical resistanceWithstands oils, solvents and fuels; Polymaker rates it good against weak acids[17]Withstands acids, alkalis, oils and UV exposure[15]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedGood — minor absorption; Spectrum describes the polymer as hydrophobic[2]
Food contactBisphenol-A polycarbonate is not offered as food-contact filament[17]Not certified for food contact as filament[15]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[17]Not biodegradable[15]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[17]Not accepted in household plastic collection[15]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance 10⁷–10⁹ ohm/sq, the static-dissipative band (ASTM D257), against above 10¹³ for unfilled ezPC[1][24]Surface resistance above 10¹³ ohm/sq — insulating (3DXTech, ASTM D257)[5]
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[29]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[29]
Ultrafine-particle emission rateparticles/min≈4 × 10¹⁰ median — the highest ultrafine-particle rate of the nine filaments in the chamber study, above every ABS tested[29]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[29][11]Open a window / occasional ventilation[29]
Dust & fibre handling hazardConductive carbon filler is bound in the matrix; avoid inhaling sanding dust[1]Not documented
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands and machines well; the toughness means it cuts rather than chips[13]Sands poorly — the material is tough and gums rather than powders[20]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; dichloromethane solvent-welds PC but is a laboratory reagent[13]Cyanoacrylate; no common solvent welds PETG cleanly[20]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[13]No practical vapour smoothing[20]
Support material pairingPrints its own supports; 3DXTech sells a dedicated PC break-away support[13]Prints its own supports; Polymaker rates PolyDissolve S1 for PETG[20]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedOptical clarity is the selling point; Extrudr recommends a layer height at most 50 % of nozzle diameter[3]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDichloromethane, chloroform, DMF and dioxane dissolve it outright (Covestro, 6 days at 23 °C). Laboratory reagents.[30]No common workshop solvent; Eastman's CHDM copolyester data shows 1,2-dichloroethane destroying it within a week.[31]
Softened or crazed byMethanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell it.[30]Acetone, ethyl acetate, toluene and DMF swell and soften the copolyester; methanol crazes it (Eastman, 1 y at 23 °C).[31]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane cement welds PC — 16.5 MPa lap shear at one week (IPS Weld-On 3). A controlled carcinogen.[32]Dichloromethane brushed on is the only agent that smooths PETG — a controlled carcinogen, not workshop stock.[33]

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. 3DXSTAT ESD-PC Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  2. Spectrum Premium PCTG Technical Data Sheet Spectrum Filaments · 2026-08 · tds
  3. Extrudr PCTG technical data Extrudr · 2026-08 · tds
  4. PC-ESD — FDM Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2024-10 · tds
  5. MAX-G PCTG Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  6. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. Push Plastic product catalogue Push Plastic · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. Proto-pasta product catalogue Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. CHCKX 10KG Multicolor PCTG Filament bundle CHCKX (Amazon US) · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Atomic Filament product catalogue Atomic Filament · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  12. PolyLite PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  13. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  14. Prusament PETG Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  15. PETG — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  17. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  18. 3DXSTAT ESD-PC — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  19. MAX-G PCTG — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  20. PET and PETG — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  21. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V2.0 — PC Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  22. Prusament PC Blend Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  23. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  24. ezPC Polycarbonate Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  25. PCTG vs PETG comparison — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  26. TECANAT natural (PC) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  27. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  28. Prusament PETG V0 Technical Datasheet Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  29. 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
  30. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  31. Eastman Spectar copolyester — Chemical resistance (unstressed bars, 1 year at 23 °C) Eastman Chemical Company · 2026-08 · tds
  32. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds
  33. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc