If you are looking for a durable and versatile material for your 3D printing projects, you might want to consider polycarbonate. Polycarbonate is a thermoplastic polymer that has high impact resistance, heat resistance, and optical clarity. It is widely used in applications such as bulletproof glass, lenses, helmets, and medical devices.
Polycarbonate is also one of the strongest 3D printing materials available. According to some tests, it can withstand up to 686 kg of force per square centimeter, which is more than twice as much as ABS, another popular 3D printing material. Polycarbonate also has a high tensile strength of 55 MPa, which means it can stretch without breaking.
However, polycarbonate is not an easy material to work with. It requires a high printing temperature of around 260°C, which means you need a heated bed and an enclosed chamber to prevent warping and cracking. It also tends to absorb moisture from the air, which can affect its print quality and durability. Therefore, you need to store it in a dry and cool place and use a filament dryer before printing.
Polycarbonate is also prone to scratching and UV degradation, which can affect its appearance and performance over time. To protect your polycarbonate prints from these issues, you can apply a clear coat or a UV-resistant spray after printing. You can also sand and polish your prints to achieve a smooth and glossy finish.
Polycarbonate is a great material for 3D printing if you need strength and durability for your projects. However, it also comes with some challenges and limitations that you need to be aware of. If you are interested in learning more about polycarbonate and how to use it for 3D printing, you can check out some of the resources below.
