Comparison
PC FDM Filament vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Polycarbonate Filament for FDM and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.20-1.22 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.2-0.4 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Transparent to Translucent
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
Moderate (0.4-0.7%)
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
2.0-2.5 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
60-70 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
5-10 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
15-25 kJ/m²
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
130-145 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
230-300 °C (softens)
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
100-120 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
120-135 °C @ 1.82 MPa
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.0-3.2
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹³-10¹⁵ Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15-20 MV/m
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Resistant to dilute acids
Fair
Bases
Attacked by strong bases
Poor
Solvents
Attacked by ketones, esters, chlorinated hydrocarbons. Attacked by NaOH.
—
UV Resistance
Moderate (can yellow)
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (within PC stream)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
High
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %