FDM Polycarbonate vs. Plastic Polycarbonate

Compare FDM Polycarbonate vs. Plastic Polycarbonate strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Plastic PolycarbonateBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical
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Yield strength	53.3MPasourcetypical	65MPasourcetypical, tensile yield
Ultimate tensile strength	53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)	65MPasourcetypical, stress at break
Flexural strength	89.4MPasourcetypical	97MPasourcetypical, flexural strength
Elongation at break	9.2%sourcetypical	125%sourcetypical, strain at break
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.39GPasourcetypical	2.4GPasourcetypical
Density	1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange	1,200kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	44.8kN·m/kg	54.2kN·m/kg21% higher
Stiffness to weight	2.01MN·m/kg	2MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.38sourcebase material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	0.38sourcetypical, polycarbonate family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
Shear modulus	0.867GPa	0.87GPa
Bulk modulus	3.33GPa	3.33GPa
Speed of sound	1,418m/s	1,414m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °C	0.2W/m·Ksourcetypical, through-plane, 23 C
Thermal expansion	65µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel	65µm/m·Ksourcetypical, 23-55 C, parallel and normal
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	325µm growth	325µm growth
Specific heat	not sourced	1,172J/kg·Ksourcetypical (guide value), Bayer ASTM datasheet for Makrolon 2405, ASTM D 2766
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	0.142mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	42.5W/m	51.7W/m22% more resistant
Glass transition	108°Csourcetypical	144°Csourcetypical, DSC 10 C/min
Max service temperature	105°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)	125°CsourceUL 746B RTI, tensile strength, 1.5 mm
Values for	Ultimaker PC, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS (file v5.00), April 20, 2022.	Covestro Makrolon 2405 general-purpose PC (MVR 19), Covestro technical datasheet version 2026-09-28, typical values

Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.

FDM Polycarbonate is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is FDM Polycarbonate stronger than Plastic Polycarbonate?

Plastic Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 65 MPa against 53.3 MPa for FDM Polycarbonate (22%).

Which is lighter, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic Polycarbonate?

FDM Polycarbonate is lighter: 1,190 kg/m³ against 1,200 kg/m³ for Plastic Polycarbonate.

Which is stiffer, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic Polycarbonate?

Plastic Polycarbonate is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.4 GPa against 2.39 GPa for FDM Polycarbonate, so the same part in Plastic Polycarbonate deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic Polycarbonate?

For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Polycarbonate is lighter for a strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	FDM Polycarbonate	Plastic Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	about equal	about equal
Stiff beam (bending)	about equal	about equal
Stiff panel or plate	about equal	about equal
Strong rod or tie	21% heavier	lighter
Strong beam	13% heavier	lighter
Strong panel or plate	10% heavier	lighter

For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).

Which conducts heat better, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic Polycarbonate?

FDM Polycarbonate conducts heat better: 0.2 W/m·K against 0.2 W/m·K for Plastic Polycarbonate.

Which expands less with temperature?

FDM Polycarbonate expands less: 65 µm/m·K against 65 µm/m·K for Plastic Polycarbonate.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density