3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PC vs PEI 1010

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

Polycarbonate (PC) guidePEI (ULTEM 1010) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PC comparisonsMore PEI 1010 comparisons
PC vs PEI 1010 — documented properties and sources
PropertyPolycarbonate (PC)PCPEI (ULTEM 1010)HIGHTEMP
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$39.99/kg median; $29.99–$92.00/kg across 9 dated product listings$281.22/kg median; $195.00–$698.00/kg across 6 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryBisphenol-A polycarbonate — an amorphous engineering thermoplastic[1][2]Polyetherimide, ULTEM 1010 grade — the higher-temperature, food- and medical-contact PEI[3][4]
Densityg/cm³1.19 (Polymaker) to 1.22 (Prusament), ISO 1183; Bambu Lab 1.20; Stratasys specific gravity 1.20 (ASTM D792)[1][5][6][7]1.27 (ISO 1183, 3DXTech and Prusament); 1.29 specific gravity on moulded plaques (ASTM D792, Stratasys)[3][4][8]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 40[6][9][10]1 kg-equivalent spools span 195–698; the middle of the market is about 270[11][12][13][14][15]
Price range across brandsUSD/kg30–92 across brands; Polymaker PolyLite 30, Bambu Lab 40, Polymaker PolyMax 52, Prusament 59, 3DXTech ezPC 64 and 3DXMAX PC 92[9][6][10][11]195-698 across brands and grades; 3DXTech ThermaX PEI 1010 195 at 2 kg, IEMAI 3D 223 at 1 kg, 3D4Makers 270 at 2 kg, Prusament 292 at 500 g, Kimya 347 at 500 g, 3DXTech ESD-PEI 1010 698 at 500 g[11][12][13][14][15]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[6][9][11][10]Niche, a handful of specialist brands[11][12][13][14]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75, 0.9, 1 and 3 kg spools[9][11][10]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 200 g to 2 kg spools, plus Stratasys canisters[11][14][8]
Typical applicationsLight guides, lenses, under-bonnet automotive parts and impact-loaded housings that must hold shape above 110 °C[2][1]Autoclavable tooling, food-contact fixtures and parts that must hold load near 200 °C[4]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.03 (Prusament PC Blend)[5]Not documented
Printing Parameters
Nozzle temperature°C250–280 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][1][2]410 ± 10 (Prusament) — the hottest nozzle in the dataset[4]
Bed temperature°C90–115; Prusament 110 ± 10, Bambu Lab 90–110, Polymaker 90–105[5][6][1]140–160 (Prusament); 130–140 (3DXTech)[4][3]
Enclosure / chamber requirement1–5Enclosure required (passive) — Polymaker specifies a 70–100 °C chamber, Bambu Lab 45–60 °C and rules out its P1P and A-series machines[1][6][16]Actively heated chamber required — Prusa specifies 90 °C[4]
Recommended chamber temperature°C70–100 (Polymaker); 45–60 (Bambu Lab)[1][6]90 (Prusament)[4]
Part cooling fanOff or very low — Polymaker specifies off, Prusament 20 % within a 0–30 % range, Bambu Lab 0–60 %[1][5][6]Not documented
Bed surface & adhesion aidTextured PEI with glue when needed (Polymaker); smooth or textured PEI (Bambu Lab)[1][17]PA nylon sheet or powder-coated sheet with high-temperature glue (Prusament)[4]
Maximum volumetric flow (mm³/s; see test conditions)mm³/s24 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][1][2][18]Not documented
Warping tendency1–5Severe — heated chamber needed[1][2][16]Severe — heated chamber needed[4]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[1][16]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed[2]Not documented
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[2][16]Expert / industrial hardware only[4][19]
Extruder requirementAll-metal hotend rated to 300 °C; Polymaker advises larger nozzles and high chamber temperatures to improve bonding[2]A hot end rated to 420 °C, a heated chamber and a high-temperature bed; Prusa dries the filament at 150 °C for 6–8 h before printing[4]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[16]Brass fine indefinitely for unfilled grades, but brass softens near these nozzle temperatures — hardened or plated hot ends are the norm[4]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[1]Non-abrasive when unfilled[3]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[2]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle; 3DXTech lists no special nozzle concerns but a mandatory 150 °C pre-dry before every print[20]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[21]Not documented
Hotend requirementAll-metal hot end required (Simplify3D); Polymaker advises a hot end rated above 300 °C[21][2]Not documented
Moisture Behaviour
Moisture absorption (hygroscopicity)1–5Low — 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][2]Not documented
Equilibrium moisture content at ~50 % RH%0.25 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.15 after 7 days at 24 °C / 22 % RH (Prusa)[6][5]0.4 in 24 h and 0.7 in 7 days at 24 °C and 22 % RH (Prusament)[4]
Drying temperature & time80 °C for 8 h (Bambu Lab); 75 °C for 6 h (Polymaker); 70–80 °C for 6–8 h (Polymaker material guide)[6][1][2]150 °C for 6–8 h (Prusament) — the hottest drying schedule in the dataset[4]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[22]Not documented
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[2][22]No dry-versus-conditioned figures are published; 3DXTech mandates a 150 °C, 4 h pre-dry before every print because trapped water flashes to steam at these nozzle temperatures[20]
Storage requirementAirtight containers with desiccant to prevent reabsorption[2]Not documented
Mechanical Properties
Tensile strength (XY)MPa53.4 (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)[1][23][6][5][24][7]79-95 printed in plane: Stratasys 79.2 (F900 T14) to 91.6 (F3300 N500) at break in XZ, ASTM D638; Prusament 95 +/- 3.5 at yield printed horizontal, ISO 527-1; 3DXTech quotes 56 (ISO 527)[8][4][3]
Young's modulusMPa2110 (Bambu Lab) to 2497 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 527; Prusament 1900, 3DXTech 2180[6][1][5][24]2300-3040 printed in plane: Prusament 2300 +/- 100 horizontal (ISO 527-1), Stratasys 2920-3040 in XZ (ASTM D638); 3DXTech quotes 2500[8][4][3]
Elongation at break%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][1][24][5]4.0-4.1 at break in XZ (ASTM D638, Stratasys); Prusament gives 6.6 +/- 0.7 at yield printed horizontal (ISO 527-1); 3DXTech quotes 3[8][4][3]
Flexural strengthMPa81.3 (PolyMax) to 108 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 178; Prusament 88 ± 1, PolyLite 106.1[23][6][5][1]128 at 5 % strain (F900 T14) and 144 at break (F3300) printed XZ, ASTM D790; Prusament 98 +/- 6.5 horizontal and 138 +/- 5.3 vertical (ISO 178); 3DXTech quotes 110[8][4][3]
Flexural modulusMPa2050 (PolyMax) to 2640 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 178; Prusament 2100[23][1][5]2910-3260 printed XZ (ASTM D790, Stratasys); Prusament 2300 horizontal and 2700 vertical (ISO 178); 3DXTech quotes 2510[8][4][3]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²4.1 (PolyLite) to 21.3 (PolyMax) printed XY, ISO 179, notched; Prusament 12 ± 1[1][23][5]3.4 ± 0.9 printed horizontal and 3.6 ± 0.4 printed vertical, ISO 179-1 notched (Prusament)[4]
Other impact dataCharpy 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][23][7]Izod notched 26.6-36.3 J/m XZ against 21.7-27.2 J/m ZX; unnotched 260-406 J/m XZ against 68-116 J/m ZX (printed, ASTM D256/D4812, Stratasys). Charpy unnotched 19.7 +/- 4.3 horizontal and 39 +/- 10 vertical (Prusament, ISO 179-1)[8][4]
Layer adhesion / Z tensileMPa37.1-45.3 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][23][6][7]28-37 at break (printed ZX, ASTM D638, Stratasys F900 and F3300) against 72 +/- 5 at yield printed vertical (ISO 527-1, Prusament on the Pro HT90 with a 0.6 mm nozzle and 90 °C chamber) — a fourfold spread driven by chamber temperature and bead size[8][4]
Brittleness1–5Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[2][5]Brittle — snaps with little warning; notched Charpy only 3.4 kJ/m²[4]
Hardness (scale-specific)Shore A / Shore D / RockwellShore 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][25]Shore D 83.5 (Prusa Polymers method); Rockwell M110 / R126 on extruded PEI stock (ASTM D785)[4][26]
Creep resistance / sustained load1–5Excellent — 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)[27]Excellent — holds load for years. Printed coupons hold 215 °C heat deflection at 1.8 MPa (ASTM D648) and extruded PEI stock is rated 170 °C long-term service[8][26]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Good[5][2]Not documented
Elasticity / flexibility1–5Rigid[1]Rigid[4]
Z strength as % of XY%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][1][7]36-40 (Stratasys ZX against XZ tensile at break, ASTM D638) against 76 (Prusament vertical against horizontal tensile yield, ISO 527-1)[8][4]
Thermal Properties
HDT at 0.45 MPa°C110 (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)[23][1][6][5][7]207 (Prusament, ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa) to 217 (printed XY 216.9 and XZ 217.1, ASTM D648 Method B at 66 psi, Stratasys); 3DXTech quotes 208[4][8][3]
HDT at 1.8 MPa°C93 (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][1][23][7]194 (Prusament, ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa) to 215 (printed XY 215.1 and XZ 214.5, ASTM D648 Method B at 264 psi, Stratasys) — the highest heat deflection in the dataset[4][8]
Glass transition (Tg)°C113 (Polymaker, DSC), 142.5 (Stratasys, ASTM D7426 inflection point) and 145 (Bambu Lab, DSC); Polymaker's material guide quotes 150[1][6][2][7]209 (moulded plaque, ASTM D7426 inflection point, Stratasys); 217 (DSC, 3DXTech)[8][3]
Melting point / Vicat°CAmorphous — no melting point; Vicat 117–120 (Polymaker, ISO 306); decomposition above 360 °C[1][23]Not documented
Continuous service temperature°C113 — Prusa publishes this as the temperature resistance of Prusament PC Blend; extruded PC stock is rated 121 long term (converted from 250 °F)[5][25]170 long-term service on extruded PEI stock, converted from 338 °F; 200 short term[26]
Annealing response90 °C for 2 h (Polymaker)[1]Not documented
Thermal expansion (CTE)µm/m·K51.6 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][25]36.1 (printed XY, -50 to 60 °C, ASTM E831), falling to 29.8 over 60-205 °C; ZX gives 32.5 over -50 to 110 °C and 16.2 over 110-165 °C[8]
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating on standard PC, though V-0 grades exist[28][1]UL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm, rated on the base resin[3]
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Degrades within weeks outdoors — unstabilised PC yellows and embrittles under UV[2]Not documented
Chemical resistanceWithstands oils, solvents and fuels; Polymaker rates it good against weak acids[2]Not documented
Water / humidity resistance in service1–5Good — minor absorption[6]Not documented
Food contactBisphenol-A polycarbonate is not offered as food-contact filament[2]Not documented
Biodegradability / compostabilityNot biodegradable[2]Not documented
RecyclabilityMechanically recyclable but not accepted in household plastic collection[2]Not documented
Electrical & ESD propertiesSurface resistance above 10¹³ ohm/sq — an electrical insulator, which Polymaker lists as a headline advantage[24][2]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[29]Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised. None of these polymers was in the chamber study, and all are processed far above the temperatures it covered[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][16]Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[29]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands and machines well; the toughness means it cuts rather than chips[21]Not documented
Painting & finishingOptical clarity survives printing, so transparent parts are usually left unpainted[2]Not documented
Gluing & solvent weldingCyanoacrylate; dichloromethane solvent-welds PC but is a laboratory reagent[21]Not documented
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[21]Not documented
Support material pairingPrints its own supports; 3DXTech sells a dedicated PC break-away support[21]Not documented
Dimensional accuracy & detailWarping is the dominant accuracy limit; light transmission 89 % on PolyLite PC (GB/T 2410)[1][2]Not documented
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDichloromethane, chloroform, DMF and dioxane dissolve it outright (Covestro, 6 days at 23 °C). Laboratory reagents.[30]Chlorinated hydrocarbons — dichloromethane and chloroform — are solvents for polyetherimide. Laboratory reagents.[31][32]
Softened or crazed byMethanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell it.[30]Acetone, MEK, benzene, toluene and butyl acetate craze or stress-crack it; alcohols, fuels and dilute acids do not.[32][31]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane cement welds PC — 16.5 MPa lap shear at one week (IPS Weld-On 3). A controlled carcinogen.[33]Dichloromethane is the only welding route, and it is a controlled carcinogen rather than a workshop material.[31][32]

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. PolyLite PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  2. PC — material basics Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  3. ThermaX PEI 1010 Technical Data Sheet v4 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  4. Prusament PEI 1010 Technical Datasheet v1.0 Prusa Polymers · 2024-09 · tds
  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. ULTEM 1010 Resin — FDM Material Data Sheet Stratasys · 2026-06 · tds
  9. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  10. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. Kimya PEI-1010 Amber Yellow 1.75 mm 500 g igo3d · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. Prusa Prusament PEI 1010 Natural (NFC), 1.75 mm / 500 g 3DJAKE · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. 3D4Makers product catalogue 3D4Makers · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. IEMAI 3D PEI 1010 3D Printing Filament — store page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  17. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — PC FR Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  18. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  19. Prusament PEI 1010 — material page Prusa Polymers · 2026-08 · doc
  20. THERMAX PEI 1010 — product page (print recommendations) 3DXTech · 2026-08 · doc
  21. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  22. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  23. PolyMax PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  24. ezPC Polycarbonate Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  25. TECANAT natural (PC) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  26. TECAPEI natural (PEI) — 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. PolyMax PC-FR Technical Data Sheet V5.5 Polymaker · 2024-11 · 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. Radel PPSU, Veradel PESU, Acudel modified PPSU Design Guide — environmental stress cracking tables Solvay Specialty Polymers · 2026-08 · tds
  32. Chemical resistance — resistance of Ensinger plastics to chemicals (DIN 50 014, 23/50) Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  33. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds