3D Printing Info

Filament comparison

PC vs PLA-CF

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

Polycarbonate (PC) guideCarbon-fibre PLA (PLA-CF) guide

2 selected · all documented properties

Open these two in the interactive comparisonMore PC comparisonsMore PLA-CF comparisons
PC vs PLA-CF — documented properties and sources
PropertyPolycarbonate (PC)PCCarbon-fibre PLA (PLA-CF)PLA
Market snapshot
Listing priceUSD/kg; dated snapshots$39.99/kg median; $29.99–$92.00/kg across 9 dated product listings$29.99/kg median; $19.00–$79.98/kg across 9 dated product listings
Identity & Market
Base polymer / chemistryBisphenol-A polycarbonate — an amorphous engineering thermoplastic[1][2]PLA filled with chopped carbon fibre — 5–10 wt% (Bambu Lab SDS), 8 wt% (Polymaker)[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]1.22 (Bambu Lab) to 1.29 (Polymaker, 3DXTech), ISO 1183[8][4][9]
Typical priceUSD/kg1 kg spools cluster near 40[6][10][11]1 kg spools span 19–80; the middle of the market is about 31[12][13][9][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[10][6][11][16]19–80 across brands; IEMAI 19, LANDU 24, SUNLU 27, Polymaker 30, Bambu Lab 32, 3DXTech 47, Proto-pasta 80[13][12][9][17][14][18][15]
Market availability1–5Available from several mainstream brands[6][10][16][11]Stocked by most mainstream brands[12][13][9][17]
Spool sizes & diameters1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75, 0.9, 1 and 3 kg spools[10][16][11]1.75 and 2.85 mm; 0.5, 0.75, 1 and 3 kg spools[17][9][10]
Typical applicationsLight guides, lenses, under-bonnet automotive parts and impact-loaded housings that must hold shape above 110 °C[2][1]Stiff jigs, drone and RC frames, tool holders — matte black finish, no gain in tensile strength[8][4]
Diameter tolerance± mm±0.03 (Prusament PC Blend)[5]±0.03 (Bambu Lab)[12]
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]210–240 (Bambu Lab); 190–230 (Polymaker)[8][4]
Bed temperature°C90–115; Prusament 110 ± 10, Bambu Lab 90–110, Polymaker 90–105[5][6][1]35–45 (Bambu Lab); 25–60 (Polymaker)[8][4]
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][19]Open frame is fine[4]
Recommended chamber temperature°C70–100 (Polymaker); 45–60 (Bambu Lab)[1][6]Not documented
Part cooling fanOff or very low — Polymaker specifies off, Prusament 20 % within a 0–30 % range, Bambu Lab 0–60 %[1][5][6]Fan on[8][4]
Bed surface & adhesion aidTextured PEI with glue when needed (Polymaker); smooth or textured PEI (Bambu Lab)[1][20]Not documented
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][21]16 at Bambu Lab's 200 mm/s cap and 24 at Polymaker's 300 mm/s, on a 0.4 mm nozzle at 0.2 mm layer; Bambu Lab's own filament guide says 250 mm/s where its TDS says 200[8][22][4][21]
Warping tendency1–5Severe — heated chamber needed[1][2][19]None[8]
Bed-adhesion difficulty1–5Needs a specific surface plus adhesive[1][19]Not documented
Stringing / oozing tendency1–5Moderate — retraction tuning needed[2]Slight[4]
Overall printing difficulty1–5Advanced — enclosure, hardware upgrades, tuning[2][19]Easy — minor profile tuning; needs a hardened nozzle and 0.4 mm or larger[22][4]
Extruder requirementAll-metal hotend rated to 300 °C; Polymaker advises larger nozzles and high chamber temperatures to improve bonding[2]Nozzles below 0.4 mm are not compatible (Bambu Lab)[22]
Hardware Wear & Reliability
Nozzle hardness required1–4Brass fine indefinitely[19]Hardened steel required[22][4]
Abrasiveness1–5Non-abrasive[1]Highly abrasive — standard CF composite[22][23]
Nozzle clog risk1–5Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[2]Moderate — needs dry filament and a clean nozzle[22]
Heat-creep / jam sensitivity1–5Slightly sensitive[24]Not documented
Hotend requirementAll-metal hot end required (Simplify3D); Polymaker advises a hot end rated above 300 °C[24][2]Hardened steel nozzle; Bambu Lab lists PLA-CF among the filaments its hardened-steel nozzle exists for[23][22]
Other hardware wearNot documentedBambu Lab reports AMS wear; Polymaker advises against running PLA-CF through an AMS at all[22][4]
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]Moderate — 0.42 % saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.38 % equilibrium (Polymaker)[8][4]
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]0.42 saturated at 25 °C / 55 % RH (Bambu Lab); 0.38 equilibrium (Polymaker)[8][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]55 °C for 6–8 h[8][4]
Symptoms when wetBubbling and popping at the nozzle, stringing, rough surface and weak layers[25]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][25]Polymaker rates PLA low-sensitivity and publishes no dry-versus-conditioned figures for this grade; absorbed water flashes to steam and shows as bubbling and poor layer adhesion[25]
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][26][6][5][27][7]31.2 (Polymaker) to 38 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 527; 48 at break for 3DXTech[8][4][9]
Young's modulusMPa2110 (Bambu Lab) to 2497 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 527; Prusament 1900, 3DXTech 2180[6][1][5][27]2790 (Bambu Lab) to 3281 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527; 4950 for 3DXTech[8][4][9]
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][27][5]8.4 (Bambu Lab) and 13.2 (Polymaker) printed XY, ISO 527; 2 for 3DXTech[8][4][9]
Flexural strengthMPa81.3 (PolyMax) to 108 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 178; Prusament 88 ± 1, PolyLite 106.1[26][6][5][1]51.7 (Polymaker) to 89 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 178[8][4]
Flexural modulusMPa2050 (PolyMax) to 2640 (PolyLite) printed XY, ISO 178; Prusament 2100[26][1][5]3381 (Polymaker) to 3950 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 178; 6320 for 3DXTech[8][4][9]
Charpy impact, notchedkJ/m²4.1 (PolyLite) to 21.3 (PolyMax) printed XY, ISO 179, notched; Prusament 12 ± 1[1][26][5]5.5 (Polymaker) and 7.6 (Bambu Lab) printed XY, ISO 179, notched[8][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][26][7]Charpy unnotched 23.2 printed XY (Bambu Lab, ISO 179)[8]
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][26][6][7]15.1 (Polymaker) to 26 (Bambu Lab) printed Z, ISO 527[8][4]
Brittleness1–5Tough — absorbs impact, yields before breaking[2][5]Brittle — snaps with little warning; elongation in Z falls to 0.9 % (Polymaker)[4][8]
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][28]71.5 Shore D measured on printed bars for Sunlu CF PLA (My Tech Fun), against 75.3 for the same maker's unfilled PLA[29]
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)[30]Poor — 12 mm bars sagged to 15.1, 19.8 and 21.3 mm over 5 days at 1.25 kg across three brands, against 16.2–21.8 mm for their unfilled PLA[31][32][29]
Fatigue / repeated-flex resistance1–5Good[5][2]Poor — no CF-grade S-N curve; plain printed PLA ran 38 000–49 000 cycles at 30 % of tensile strength and elongation in Z falls to 0.9 %[33][4]
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]48 (Polymaker) to 68 (Bambu Lab), printed[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)[26][1][6][5][7]54 (Polymaker) to 55 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa[8][4]
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][26][7]50 (Polymaker) to 54 (Bambu Lab), ISO 75 at 1.8 MPa[8][4]
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]62–63 (DSC)[8][4]
Melting point / Vicat°CAmorphous — no melting point; Vicat 117–120 (Polymaker, ISO 306); decomposition above 360 °C[1][26]162–165 peak melt (DSC); Vicat 64 °C (Polymaker)[8][4]
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][28]50–61 — loaded bars begin to move at this temperature across three brands (Sunlu 50, Bambu Lab and Polymaker 61)[31][32][29]
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][28]Not documented
Flammability / UL 94Flammable; no UL 94 rating on standard PC, though V-0 grades exist[34][1]Not documented
Environment & Chemical
UV resistance1–5Degrades within weeks outdoors — unstabilised PC yellows and embrittles under UV[2]Degrades within weeks outdoors[35]
Chemical resistanceWithstands oils, solvents and fuels; Polymaker rates it good against weak acids[2]Good against weak acids, oils and grease; poor against strong acids and alkalis[4]
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[27][2]Not documented
Health & Safety
Fume toxicity1–5Moderate — measurable VOCs and UFPs, ventilation advised[36]Low hazard — minimal VOC and particle emission[36]
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[36]Not documented
Ventilation / filtration requirement1–5Ventilated room or enclosure recommended[36][19]None needed in a normal room[36]
Dust & fibre handling hazardNot documentedCarbon fibre is bound in the matrix; sanding dust should not be inhaled[3]
Post-Processing
Sanding & machiningSands and machines well; the toughness means it cuts rather than chips[24]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[24]Not documented
Vapour / chemical smoothingNo practical vapour smoothing[24]Not documented
Support material pairingPrints its own supports; 3DXTech sells a dedicated PC break-away support[24]Support for PLA (Bambu Lab); PolySupport and PolyDissolve S1 (Polymaker)[8][4]
Dimensional accuracy & detailWarping is the dominant accuracy limit; light transmission 89 % on PolyLite PC (GB/T 2410)[1][2]Matte finish hides layer lines; stiffness is the gain — tensile strength stays at or below Bambu Lab PLA Basic's 35 MPa and Polymaker PolyLite PLA's 52.3 MPa[8][4][37][38]
Solvents & Solubility
Soluble inDichloromethane, chloroform, DMF and dioxane dissolve it outright (Covestro, 6 days at 23 °C). Laboratory reagents.[39]Chloroform dissolves the PLA matrix (10 % w/v, 2–4 h at 23 °C) and leaves the filler as loose sludge; laboratory reagent.[40]
Softened or crazed byMethanol, butyl acetate, ether, 1 % NaOH and phthalate plasticisers stress-crack it; acetone, MEK and xylene swell it.[39]Acetone, ethyl acetate and toluene plasticise the matrix but dissolve <1 % even at 65 °C; acetone submersion crazes parts.[40][41]
Solvent welding & smoothing agentDichloromethane cement welds PC — 16.5 MPa lap shear at one week (IPS Weld-On 3). A controlled carcinogen.[42]Chloroform vapour attacks only the resin fraction, so the filler is left standing proud; no workshop-safe agent exists.[43][41]

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. Safety Data Sheet SDS20251127A50 — Bambu PLA-CF Bambu Lab · 2025-11 · msds
  4. PolyLite PLA-CF Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · 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. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V4.0 — PLA-CF Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  9. CarbonX PLA+CF Technical Data Sheet v3 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  10. Polymaker product catalogue Polymaker · 2026-08 · vendor
  11. Printed Solid product catalogue Printed Solid · 2026-08 · vendor
  12. PLA-CF — product page Bambu Lab US Store · 2026-08 · vendor
  13. PolyLite PLA-CF — product page Polymaker Shop · 2026-08 · vendor
  14. IEMAI CF-PLA 3D Printing Filament product page IEMAI 3D · 2026-08 · vendor
  15. SUNLU PLA-CF Carbon Fiber 3D Printer Filament 1 kg SUNLU · 2026-08 · vendor
  16. 3DXTech product catalogue 3DXTech · 2026-08 · vendor
  17. Proto-pasta product catalogue Proto-pasta · 2026-08 · vendor
  18. LANDU Carbon Fiber PLA Filament 1.75 mm Black 1 kg LANDU (Amazon US) · 2026-08 · vendor
  19. ABS / ASA / PC Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  20. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V1.0 — PC FR Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  21. Max volumetric speed Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  22. PLA Usage Guide Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  23. Nozzles — material and compatibility Bambu Lab Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  24. Polycarbonate — Ultimate 3D Printing Materials Guide Simplify3D · 2026-08 · doc
  25. Wet Filament — signs, causes and drying Polymaker Wiki · 2026-08 · doc
  26. PolyMax PC Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  27. ezPC Polycarbonate Technical Data Sheet 3DXTech · 2026-08 · tds
  28. TECANAT natural (PC) — stock shape properties Ensinger · 2026-08 · tds
  29. Carbon Fiber PLA vs META-PLA vs PLA+ vs PLA by Sunlu — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  30. Experimental data for creep and dynamic mechanical properties of polycarbonate and polycarbonate/ABS Data in Brief 42:108264 · 2022-06 · paper
  31. BambuLab PLA Basic vs PLA Tough vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  32. Polymaker PLA Pro vs PLA-CF — results spreadsheet My Tech Fun (Igor Gaspar) · 2026-08 · test
  33. Mechanical Properties of Additively Manufactured Polymeric Materials — PLA and PETG — For Biomechanical Applications Polymers 16(13):1868 · 2024-06 · paper
  34. PolyMax PC-FR Technical Data Sheet V5.5 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  35. PLA — material guide Prusa Knowledge Base · 2026-08 · doc
  36. 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
  37. PolyLite PLA Technical Data Sheet V5.4 Polymaker · 2024-11 · tds
  38. Bambu Filament Technical Data Sheet V3.0 — PLA Basic Bambu Lab · 2026-08 · tds
  39. Makrolon — The chemical resistance (Makrolon 2800, 6 days at 23 °C and 50 °C) Covestro · 2016-12 · tds
  40. Solubility Study of Ingeo Biopolymer Grades in Common Organic Solvents (NWPD003) NatureWorks · 2019-10 · tds
  41. Improve your 3D prints with chemical smoothing Prusa Research · 2026-08 · doc
  42. Weld-On 3 Acrylic Plastic Cement — technical data sheet (shipped as dichloromethane) IPS Corporation · 2002-07 · tds
  43. 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