PC-ABS

PC-ABS is an industrial blend of polycarbonate and ABS. It takes the impact strength and heat resistance of polycarbonate, but prints with the ease of ABS: it warps far less than pure PC and is more forgiving. Its heat resistance (HDT ~90–110 °C) is well above regular ABS, which makes it a good fit for load-bearing parts that work near heat and impact.

What it is good for

• Automotive components and under-the-hood parts that run warm
• Impact-resistant housings for electronics and tools
• Functional prototypes under heat and impact loads
• Mounts, brackets and holders that must survive impact without softening from heat

Where NOT to use it

• Printing on an open machine without an enclosure — expect warping and delamination
• Large flat parts on a cold bed — the corners lift
• Transparent parts — the blend is opaque and lacks pure PC's optical clarity
• Parts under sustained heat above ~120 °C — use pure polycarbonate or PA instead

How to print

• Nozzle temperature: 250–280 °C
• Bed temperature: 90–110 °C
• Enclosure: required — a warm chamber keeps the temperature even around the part
• Cooling: minimal or off — too much makes layers split
• Speed: 30–60 mm/s; calm printing reduces warping
• Adhesion: glue stick or PVA on glass, plus a brim for large parts
• Nozzle: an all-metal hotend is mandatory; a hardened nozzle is NOT needed — the blend is not abrasive

Drying and storage

PC-ABS is hygroscopic — it absorbs moisture from the air. Wet filament hisses while printing, loses strength, and produces a cloudy, brittle surface with bubbles, so drying before printing is mandatory.

• Drying: 70–80 °C for 6–8 hours
• Storage: airtight box with silica gel or a dry box; print straight from it
• Signs of moisture: hissing and steam while printing, bubbles in layers, delamination and brittleness in the finished part

Pros and cons

• Impact-resistant — inherits stiffness and impact strength from polycarbonate
• Heat-resistant: HDT ~90–110 °C, well above regular ABS
• Easier to print and warps less than pure polycarbonate
• Not abrasive — no hardened nozzle required

• Needs a closed enclosure and an all-metal hotend
• Warps more than PETG, and far more than PLA
• Hygroscopic — needs drying and dry storage
• Gives off fumes while printing; ventilation needed
• Opaque — not suitable for transparent parts