3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PC-ESD vs PLA

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

ESD-safe PC guidePLA (standard) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PC-ESD comparisonsMore PLA comparisons
PC-ESD vs PLA — documented properties and sources
PropertyESD-safe PCPCPLA (standard)PLA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$180.00/kg median; $180.00–$180.00/kg across 1 dated product listings$19.74/kg median; $9.99–$32.99/kg across 24 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryPolycarbonate compounded with a conductive filler for static-dissipative parts[1]Poly(lactic acid), a thermoplastic aliphatic polyester from fermented plant starch[2][3]
Densityg/cm³1.24 (ISO 1183, 3DXTech); Stratasys specific gravity 1.195 (ASTM D792)[1][4]1.17–1.24 (ISO 1183)[2][5][3]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg-equivalent spools cluster near 180[6]Mainstream 1 kg spools cluster near 20[7][8][9]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg180 at 3DXTech's 750 g pricing — the most expensive material in this group[6]10–33 across brands; budget house brands 10–14, premium European 26–33[10][11][12][13]
Market availability1–5Special order, 1–2 makers worldwide[6]Ubiquitous, every brand and retailer[14][15]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 750 g spools plus Stratasys-compatible cartridges[6]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.75, 0.85, 1 and 1.1 kg spools plus spool-less refills[7][16][17][12][18]
Typical applicationsElectronics fixtures and trays that need PC heat resistance and static dissipation together[1]Concept models, functional prototypes, low-wear toys, jigs used at room temperature[19]
Diameter tolerance± mmNot documented±0.02 (Prusament) to ±0.03 (Bambu Lab, Prusa Research standard)[2][7][20]
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°CNot documented190–230; Prusament specifies 210 ± 10[2][5][3]
Bed temperature°CNot documented25–60; Prusament 40–60, Bambu Lab 35–45[2][5][3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive)[21][22]Open frame is fine[5][14]
Part cooling fanNot documented100 % from the second layer; reduce on the first one or two layers for bed adhesion[2][15]
Bed surface & adhesion aidPEI with a glue stick or a commercial adhesive[23]Smooth or textured PEI, glass or painter's tape; glue stick only where release is a problem[5][24][15]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/sNot documented12–20 (PrusaSlicer max volumetric speed guidance for PLA)[25]
Warping tendency1–5Severe — heated chamber needed[21][22]None[26][14]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[23][27]Sticks to anything — glue only needed on smooth PEI[5][3][15]
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed; Polymaker flags stringing as a common PC problem[27]Slight — 1–3 mm retraction handles it; oozing rises with nozzle temperature[5][15][28]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[21]Beginner — prints on any machine out of the box[14][15]
Extruder requirementNot documentedAny extruder; Bowden and direct drive both fine, no hardware upgrades[14]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Hardened steel required[1]Brass fine indefinitely[14]
Abrasiveness1–5Moderately abrasive — conductive carbon filler[1]Non-abrasive[26][14]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns but a 120 °C pre-dry[29]Very low[14][15]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[23]Moderate — good heatbreak cooling needed; softens below 60 °C so it deforms in a warm cold zone[24][30]
Hotend requirementAll-metal hot end required (Simplify3D)[23]Any standard hotend; PTFE-lined is fine at PLA temperatures[14]
Other hardware wearNot documentedNone — brass nozzles and standard drive gears are unaffected[26][14]
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[31][32][29]Moderate — 0.40–0.51 % saturated at 23–25 °C and 55–70 % RH[3][5][33]
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%Not documented0.43 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.51 equilibrium (Polymaker)[3][5]
Drying temperature & timeNot documented50–55 °C for 6–8 h in a forced-air dryer; 45 °C for 12 h in the Bambu Lab AMS HT[5][3][30]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing and a rough surface[34]Bubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[34]
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[27][34]Polymaker rates PLA low-sensitivity — it absorbs moisture slowly and the loss shows as poor layer adhesion and brittle layers rather than a published strength figure[34]
Storage requirementAirtight containers with desiccant to prevent reabsorption[27]Sealed with desiccant below 20 % RH; shelf life at ambient is long[3][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][35][4]35–52 (printed XY, ISO 527); 55 mean across 16 brands and 53 for the reference PLA in a later run, both on 4×4 mm printed bars[2][5][3][36][37]
Young's modulusMPa2300 (printed XY, ISO 527); Stratasys prints 1960 in XZ and 1810-1910 in ZX (ASTM D638)[1][4]2300–3427 (printed XY, ISO 527)[2][5][3]
Elongation at break%6 at break (printed XY, ISO 527), against 14 for the unfilled grade[1][35]6.3–12.2 (printed XY, ISO 527); Prusament quotes 2.9 at yield[5][3][2]
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]76–87 (printed XY, ISO 178); Fiberlogy quotes 81 by ASTM D790[2][5][3][38]
Flexural modulusMPa2310 (printed XY, ISO 178)[1]2750–3230 (printed XY, ISO 178); Fiberlogy quotes 3800 by ASTM D790[2][5][3][38]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²Not documented3.3–7.9 (printed XY, ISO 179, notched)[5][3]
Other impact dataNot documentedCharpy unnotched, printed: 13–14 (Prusament, ISO 179-1), 26.6 (Bambu Lab PLA Basic)[2][3]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa32.5-37.9 at yield printed ZX (Stratasys, ASTM D638 on the Fortus 450mc and F900)[4]17–31 (Prusa interlayer test and printed Z tensile); 23 mean on My Tech Fun 4×4 mm bars[2][3][37]
Brittleness1–5Moderate[1]Brittle — snaps with little warning[24][26]
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[39]81 Shore D (Prusa Polymers in-house method); 75.3 Shore D measured on printed bars (My Tech Fun, Sunlu PLA)[2][40]
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[41][4]Poor — deforms under load at room temperature; 12 mm bar sagged to 20.3 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg[42][43]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Not documentedPoor — 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength, against 79 000–193 000 for PETG (printed, R = 0.2, 7 Hz)[44][24]
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[26]
Z strength as % of XY%68-77 (Stratasys ZX against XZ tensile yield, ASTM D638)[4]77–89 on TDS specimens; ≈44 on My Tech Fun 4×4 mm bars[5][3][37]
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]55–60 (ISO 75, 0.45 MPa)[2][5][3]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C140-144 printed in XY, XZ and ZX (Stratasys, ASTM D648 Method B at 264 psi); 124 moulded[4]54–58 (ISO 75, 1.8 MPa)[2][5][3]
Glass transition (Tg)°C143 (DSC, 3DXTech) and 142 (Stratasys, ASTM D7426)[1][4]55–61 (DSC)[2][5][3]
Melting point / Vicat°CNot documented145–160 peak melt (Prusament, ISO 11357); 150 and 160 by DSC (PolyLite, Bambu Lab); Vicat 57–63 (ISO 306)[19][5][3]
Continuous service temperature°C113 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament PC Blend[32]50–55 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature[26][37]
Annealing responseNot documentedBambu Lab conditions specimens at 55 °C for 8 h; annealing at 50–60 °C for 6–12 h raises crystallinity but can warp parts[3][45]
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[39]96 ± 5 at 0° and 99 ± 5 at 90° raster (printed PLA, fibre Bragg grating, 25–50 °C)[46]
Flammability / UL 94Not documentedFlammable; no UL 94 rating published by the major brands[3][5]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Not documentedDegrades within weeks outdoors[24][19]
Outdoor durabilityNot documentedNot suitable for long-term outdoor use — UV embrittlement plus softening above 55 °C in direct sun[19][24]
Chemical resistanceWithstands oils, solvents and fuels; Polymaker rates it good against weak acids[27]Good against weak acids, oils and grease; poor against strong acids and alkalis; dissolved by chloroform, THF and hot benzene[5][24]
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Not documentedGood — insoluble in water, absorbs 0.4–0.5 % at equilibrium[3][47]
Food contactBisphenol-A polycarbonate is not offered as food-contact filament[27]Base resin is food-contact grade and EN 71-3 certified by some brands, but printed layer grooves harbour bacteria; Prusa advises against food use[24][47]
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[27]Industrially compostable only — needs sustained 55 °C and specific microbial conditions; not home compostable[47][24][3]
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[27]Mechanically recyclable; not accepted in household plastic collection, so brand take-back schemes are the practical route[47]
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance 10⁷–10⁹ ohm/sq, the static-dissipative band (ASTM D257), against above 10¹³ for unfilled ezPC[1][35]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[48]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[48]
VOC emission rateµg/minNot documented4–5 lactide, the dominant VOC (chamber study, three printers)[48]
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[48]≈1 × 10⁸ median across three printers; only laywood ≈8 × 10⁷ and laybrick ≈6 × 10⁷ were lower[48]
Hazardous species emittedNot documentedLactide (3,6-dimethyl-1,4-dioxane-2,5-dione) dominates; no styrene or caprolactam as a leading species[48]
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[48][21]None needed in a normal room[48]
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[23]Wet sanding — dry sanding heats the surface by friction and smears it[19][24]
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; dichloromethane solvent-welds PC but is a laboratory reagent[23]Cyanoacrylate for most joints; some grades partially dissolve and bond with acetone, depending on additives and colour[24][20]
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[23]No practical vapour smoothing — only chloroform, hot benzene or THF, which are laboratory-only[24]
Support material pairingPrints its own supports; 3DXTech sells a dedicated PC break-away support[23]PolySupport and PolyDissolve S1 (Polymaker); Support for PLA (Bambu Lab)[5][3]
Dimensional accuracy & detailNot documentedGood — low shrinkage and features under 0.2 mm resolve; 55° overhangs and 30 mm bridges[26][3][15]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDichloromethane, chloroform, DMF and dioxane dissolve it outright (Covestro, 6 days at 23 °C). Laboratory reagents.[49]Chloroform: 10 % w/v in 2–4 h at 23 °C, every grade and morphology; THF and DMF only at 65 °C. Laboratory reagents.[50]
Softened or crazed byMethanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell it.[49]Acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise it but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; submersion in acetone crazes and destroys parts.[50][51]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane cement welds PC — 16.5 MPa lap shear at one week (IPS Weld-On 3). A controlled carcinogen.[52]Chloroform vapour smooths and welds PLA at the cost of tensile strength; acetone does not smooth it at all.[53][51]

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. Prusament PLA Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  3. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PLA Basic Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  4. PC-ESD — FDM Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2024-10 · tds
  5. PolyLite PLA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  6. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  7. PLA Basic — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  8. MH Build Series PLA Filament White 1.75mm 1kg MatterHackers · 2026-08 · vendor
  9. 3DJAKE ecoPLA Black 1.75mm 1000g 3DJake International · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. JAYO PLA Classic 1.1KG 1.75mm JAYO Official Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. ELEGOO PLA Filament 1.75mm Colored 1KG Elegoo US Official Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Fillamentum PLA Extrafill Natural 1kg Fillamentum USA · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Prusament PLA Jet Black 1kg (NFC) Prusa Research · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. Filament Material Guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  15. PLA — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  16. Fiberlogy rPLA Refill Anthracite 850 g 3DJake International · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. JAYO Silk PLA+ 1.75mm 1.1kg JAYO Official Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. ColorFabb PLA/PHA 750g 3D Universe · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. Prusament PLA Technical Data Sheet v1.0 Prusa Polymers · 2018-09 · tds
  20. Prusament rPLA Corn Pigment 1kg — product page Prusa Research · 2026-08 · vendor
  21. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  22. PolyLite PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  23. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  24. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  25. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  26. Prusament PLA — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  27. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  28. PLA — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  29. 3DXSTAT ESD-PC — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  30. Filament Drying Recommendations Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  31. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V2.0 — PC Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  32. Prusament PC Blend Technical Datasheet v1.1 Prusa Polymers · 2022-02 · tds
  33. PolySonic PLA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  34. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  35. ezPC Polycarbonate Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  36. 16 PLA brand comparison test — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2022-10 · test
  37. Creality Hyper PLA filament review — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  38. Easy PLA — product and technical data Fiberlogy · 2026-08 · tds
  39. TECANAT natural (PC) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  40. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  41. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  42. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  43. PolyTerra PLA vs PLA+ — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  44. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  45. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PLA Matte Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  46. Characterization of Thermal Expansion Coefficient of 3D Printing Polymeric Materials Using Fiber Bragg Grating Sensors Materials 17(18):4668 · 2024-09 · paper
  47. Filamentive PLA (recycled) — product page Filamentive · 2026-08 · vendor
  48. 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
  49. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  50. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  51. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  52. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds
  53. Effect of vapour smoothing in trichloromethane on 3D printed PLA — surface, mechanical and chemical structure Pitale, Keche & Chopra, Engineering Research Express 6(4) 045579 · 2024-12 · paper