FDM Polycarbonate vs. Plastic Polycarbonate

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

Plastic PolycarbonateBulk polymer (molded or machined)

Mechanical	FDM Polycarbonate	Plastic Polycarbonate
Yield strength	53.3MPa1	65MPa222% stronger
Ultimate tensile strength	53.3MPa1	65MPa2
Flexural strength	89.4MPa1	97MPa2
Elongation at break	9.2%1	125%213.6x more ductile
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.39GPa1	2.4GPa2
Density	range1,180–1,200kg/m³1	1,200kg/m³2
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	base material0.383	0.383
Shear modulus	0.867GPa	0.87GPa
Bulk modulus	3.33GPa	3.33GPa
Speed of sound	1,418m/s	1,414m/s

Stiffness against densityHigher and further left: stiffer for its weight

Strength against densityHigher and further left: stronger for its weight

Thermal	FDM Polycarbonate	Plastic Polycarbonate
Thermal conductivity	base material0.2W/m·K2	0.2W/m·K2
Thermal expansion	base material65µm/m·K2	65µm/m·K2
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	325µm growth	325µm growth
Specific heat	not sourced	1,172J/kg·K4
Heats up and cools (diffusivity)	not sourced	0.142mm²/s
Thermal shock resistance	42.5W/m	51.7W/m22% more resistant
Glass transition	108°C1	144°C236.3 °C higher
Max service temperature	HDT 0.455 MPa105°C1	UL 746B RTI125°C2

Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weight

Thermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated

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Sources4 documents: UltiMaker, Covestro, Bayer MaterialScience

FDM Polycarbonate: 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.
Plastic Polycarbonate: Covestro Makrolon 2405 general-purpose PC (MVR 19), Covestro technical datasheet version 2026-09-28, typical values

1
Ultimaker PC Technical Data Sheet, v5.00UltiMakerarchived copyFDM Polycarbonate · Yield strength: typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, peak stress (= stress at yield)FDM Polycarbonate · Flexural strength: typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Elongation at break: typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Density: rangeFDM Polycarbonate · Glass transition: typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Max service temperature: HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
2
Makrolon 2405 Technical Data SheetCovestroPlastic Polycarbonate · Yield strength: typical, tensile yieldPlastic Polycarbonate · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, stress at breakPlastic Polycarbonate · Flexural strength: typical, flexural strengthPlastic Polycarbonate · Elongation at break: typical, strain at breakPlastic Polycarbonate · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalPlastic Polycarbonate · Density: typicalFDM Polycarbonate · Thermal conductivity: base material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °CPlastic Polycarbonate · Thermal conductivity: typical, through-plane, 23 CFDM Polycarbonate · Thermal expansion: base material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallelPlastic Polycarbonate · Thermal expansion: typical, 23-55 C, parallel and normalPlastic Polycarbonate · Glass transition: typical, DSC 10 C/minPlastic Polycarbonate · Max service temperature: UL 746B RTI, tensile strength, 1.5 mm
3
Engineering Polymers Part and Mold Design: Thermoplastics, A Design GuideCovestroarchived copyFDM Polycarbonate · Poisson's ratio: base material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)Plastic Polycarbonate · Poisson's ratio: typical, polycarbonate family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
4
Makrolon 2405 Data Sheet, ASTM valuesBayer MaterialSciencearchived copyPlastic Polycarbonate · Specific heat: typical (guide value), Bayer ASTM datasheet for Makrolon 2405, ASTM D 2766

Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "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

Mechanical

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 is more ductile, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic Polycarbonate?

Plastic Polycarbonate stretches further before it breaks: 125% elongation at break against 9.2% for FDM Polycarbonate.

Thermal

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.