Polycarbonate isn’t your average hobby filament — it’s an engineering thermoplastic trusted in applications from riot shields to headlamp lenses. 3DX Max PC is as close as you can get to unfilled, pure PC in filament form. With a glass transition temperature of 147 °C and a heat deflection temperature of 135 °C under load, it’s one of the most heat-resistant materials printable on a high-temp FDM machine.
- Rigidity + Toughness: Resists shattering while remaining impact-tolerant.
- Dimensional Stability: Maintains shape under stress and heat.
- Moisture Resistance: Less hygroscopic than nylon, reducing swelling and warping.
How It Compares to Other Materials
| Material | Strength | Heat Resistance | Ease of Printing |
|---|---|---|---|
| ABS | Moderate | ~100 °C | Easy |
| ASA | Moderate + UV resistance | ~100 °C | Easy |
| Nylon | High toughness | Lower | Moisture sensitive |
| PEI | Very high | Higher than PC | Difficult + expensive |
| Polycarbonate | High + impact resistant | ~135 °C | Moderate (enclosed printer recommended) |
Real-World Applications
Polycarbonate excels in various demanding industries:
- Aerospace: Ground support brackets, cabin panels, heat-resistant housings.
- Transit Infrastructure: Cable housings, vibration-resistant clips, safety covers.
- Energy Sector: Solar gear mounts, battery test hardware exposed to thermal cycling.
- Defense & Tactical: Drone payload clamps, optics housings, rugged field parts.
- Lighting & Optics: LED lens covers, optical alignment tools.
- Consumer R&D: Functional prototypes for appliances, electronics, and tools.
- Education & Lab: Robotics components, thermal experiment parts.
Technical Specifications (3DX Max PC)
- Tensile Strength: 62 MPa
- Tensile Modulus: 2,410 MPa
- Elongation at Break: 7%
- Flexural Strength: 78 MPa
- Flexural Modulus: 2,200 MPa
- Heat Deflection Temp: 135 °C
- Glass Transition Temp: 147 °C
- Density: 1.2 g/cm³
- Surface Resistance: >1013 Ω (electrically insulating)
Printing Guidelines
- Nozzle Temp: 275–300 °C
- Bed Temp: 110–120 °C
- Chamber: Fully enclosed, ideally 135–140 °C for optimal layer adhesion
- Filament Drying: 80 °C for 4–6 hours before use
- Nozzle Type: Hardened steel recommended
- Bed Adhesion: Vision Miner Nano Polymer Adhesive highly recommended
Performance Under Stress
Testing revealed that 3DX Max PC delivers consistent strength across orientations, with higher tensile results in flat (XY) prints and slightly lower in Z-axis. Parts remained structurally sound after flex, heat, and even flame tests — self-extinguishing quickly without excessive deformation.
Why Choose Polycarbonate?
If you need a filament that is:
- Tougher than ABS
- More dimensionally stable than nylon
- Easier to print than PEI/ULTEM
…then polycarbonate offers the perfect middle ground for functional, industrial-grade parts without aerospace-level cost and complexity.
Looking to try 3DX Max PC? Stock is available for direct shipping. For questions or project consultations, contact our team and get matched with the best performance polymer for your application.