Written by Jackson B.
Quick answer: PC-ABS blends polycarbonate with ABS. OzFDM's data sheets list a 112°C heat deflection temperature against 85°C for ABS+, and far higher impact strength and elongation than ABS+ or PolyCarbonate. It still needs an enclosure, a 90–110°C bed and 12 hours of drying at 80°C. Both OzFDM listings share the same specs.
If ABS parts are softening near heat or cracking when they take a knock, and polycarbonate has been hard work to print, PC-ABS is the material to look at next. It sits between the two: more heat resistant and much tougher than ABS on paper, with ABS-like handling that OzFDM describes as combining "the printability and toughness of ABS" with the heat resistance of polycarbonate.
This guide explains the difference between OzFDM's two PC-ABS listings, how PC-ABS compares with ABS+ and PolyCarbonate on our data sheets, and how to set up enclosure, drying and bed adhesion so it prints reliably.
What PC-ABS is
PC-ABS is a blend of two plastics. Polycarbonate brings heat resistance and strength, and ABS brings toughness and easier processing. As base polymers, polycarbonate has the higher glass transition temperature: about 147°C according to Wikipedia's polycarbonate article, against about 105°C for ABS. A blend lets a filament maker trade some of one property for another, which is why the numbers below matter more than the name.
OzFDM's two PC-ABS products
OzFDM sells PC-ABS under two listings. The specification sections on both pages carry identical figures, so on paper they print and perform the same. The differences are colour, finish and how much guidance each page gives.
| Detail | PC-ABS | PC-ABS Sparkling |
|---|---|---|
| Colours | Black, White, Natural | Black, Beige, Red, Green, Blue, Lime, Orange, Purple |
| Finish | Plain engineering shades | Sparkling finish, as the name says |
| Heat deflection temperature (ISO 75, 0.455 MPa) | 112°C | 112°C |
| Nozzle / bed / speed | 250–280°C / 90–110°C / 40–60 mm/s | 250–280°C / 90–110°C / 40–60 mm/s |
| Impact strength (ISO 180) | 43.5–44.5 kJ/m² | 43.5–44.5 kJ/m² |
| Drying | 80°C, 12 hours minimum | 80°C, 12 hours minimum |
| Annealing | 100°C for 1–3 hours | 100°C for 1–3 hours |
| Support material | HIPS | HIPS |
| Data sheet PDF | Yes | Yes |
| Extra guidance on the page | AMS notes, applications and colour advice | Specifications only |
Choose PC-ABS in Black, White or Natural for functional parts where a neutral or easy-to-inspect shade suits the job. The newer listing also reminds you that AMS compatibility doesn't mean your printer can process PC-ABS. Choose PC-ABS Sparkling when you want colour coding or a decorative finish on a heat-resistant part. At the time of writing, Sparkling was also the lower-priced listing. Whichever you pick, run a small test piece when you change colour, as you would with any new roll on a critical job.
Where PC-ABS sits between ABS and PC
Here is how the three materials compare on OzFDM's own data sheets. All figures are as published on each product page.
| Property | ABS+ | PC-ABS | PolyCarbonate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat deflection temperature (0.455 MPa) | 85°C | 112°C | 123°C |
| Nozzle temperature | 220–240°C | 250–280°C | 240–260°C |
| Bed temperature | 80–110°C | 90–110°C | 100–120°C |
| Tensile strength | 33–37 MPa | 43.5–45.5 MPa | 40–45 MPa |
| Tensile modulus (stiffness) | 1500–1650 MPa | 800–950 MPa | 1800–1950 MPa |
| Elongation at break | 9–15% | 24–26% | 7–9% |
| Impact strength (ISO 180) | 12–13.5 kJ/m² | 43.5–44.5 kJ/m² | 4–5.5 kJ/m² |
| Drying | 80°C, 5 hours minimum | 80°C, 12 hours minimum | 80°C for 12 hours |
| Support material | HIPS or ABS+ | HIPS | PC |
Tougher than ABS
This is where PC-ABS clearly wins. Its listed impact strength is more than three times that of ABS+, and its elongation at break is well above both ABS+ and PolyCarbonate. In practice that points to parts that bend and absorb a knock rather than snapping, which suits clips, covers, housings and brackets that get handled.
Less stiff than either
The trade-off is stiffness. PC-ABS lists a tensile modulus of 800–950 MPa, lower than ABS+ and roughly half that of PolyCarbonate. If a long, thin bracket must not flex under load, PC or a fibre-filled material may be the better choice.
Heat: a big step up from ABS
At 112°C, PC-ABS lists a heat deflection temperature 27°C higher than ABS+. OzFDM's PolyCarbonate sheet lists 123°C, so PC-ABS sits between ABS and PC, which is what the blend should do. A heat deflection figure is measured under a set load in a lab, so if a part will run close to its limit, print a test part and check it in the real conditions. Our heat deflection temperature chart puts these figures alongside the rest of the range.
Easier than polycarbonate, not easy
Prusa's own polycarbonate material guide warns that PC tends to warp a lot and isn't suited to large objects covering the whole sheet. PC-ABS is positioned by OzFDM as the more printable option, and its bed range starts 10°C lower than our PolyCarbonate. It still runs a hotter nozzle than our PC sheet lists, and it still wants an enclosure, dry filament and a well-prepared bed.
Enclosure, drying and bed adhesion
Enclosure and ventilation
The PC-ABS listing says it prints best in an enclosed printer with stable chamber temperatures, reliable bed adhesion and controlled cooling. Enclosed machines such as the Bambu Lab X1 Carbon and Bambu Lab H2D suit it. On an open-frame printer such as the Prusa XL, fit an enclosure first, or build one using our DIY enclosure guide. Because PC-ABS contains ABS, print it in a well-ventilated room, but keep drafts away from the printer. Our safety guide covers ventilation in more detail.
Drying
Both listings recommend 80°C for a minimum of 12 hours in a filament dryer, which is more than double the 5-hour minimum on our ABS+ sheet. Moisture in the filament shows up as popping, stringing and rough surfaces. After drying, store the roll in an airtight bag or container with desiccant. Our filament storage and drying guide explains how to set that up.
Bed adhesion
Start at 100°C and use a brim on parts with a large footprint or sharp corners. Prusa's polycarbonate guide notes that PC can bond strongly enough to smooth PEI to damage the sheet, recommends a glue stick layer as a separator, and points out that rounded corners warp less than sharp ones and denser infill raises warping risk. We'd apply the same caution to PC-ABS. See our guide to glue stick, hairspray and when to use what for the options.
Starting settings
| Setting | OzFDM data sheet | Where to start | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temperature | 250–280°C | 265°C | Move up in 5°C steps if layers split, down if you see stringing or blobs. |
| Bed temperature | 90–110°C | 100°C | Use the top of the range for large, flat parts. |
| Print speed | 40–60 mm/s | 50 mm/s | Stay inside this range until you've proven faster settings on test parts. |
| Part cooling | Controlled cooling | Low | Increase only where bridges or overhangs need it. |
| Supports | HIPS | HIPS interface | HIPS dissolves in limonene, per the HIPS product page. |
| Drying | 80°C, 12 hours minimum | Dry before printing | Keep the roll sealed with desiccant between jobs. |
| Annealing (optional) | 100°C for 1–3 hours | 1 hour, then check | The listing says annealing may improve strength and thermal stability. Check critical dimensions afterwards. |
These are starting points from the OzFDM PC-ABS data sheet. Run a temperature tower and flow calibration on your own printer before committing to a large or critical part.
For the annealing process itself, see Annealing 3D Printed Parts, why?
What to print in PC-ABS
OzFDM's listing suggests automotive components, protective housings, mechanical assemblies, workshop equipment and functional prototypes. Good fits include:
- Interior car trim clips, mounts and cable holders that need more heat resistance than ABS
- Electronics and tool housings that get dropped or knocked
- Workshop fixtures, jigs and tool holders that see repeated handling
- Snap-fit covers and clips that benefit from PC-ABS's higher elongation
Don't use printed PC-ABS for safety-critical parts, and remember that a heat deflection temperature is measured under a set load in a lab. It's a comparison figure, not a guaranteed service limit for your part.
Shop the materials in this guide
- 1.75 mm PC-ABS Filament - 1 KG: Black, White or Natural, with the fullest product guidance.
- 1.75 mm PC-ABS Sparkling Filament - 1 KG: eight colours with the same published specifications.
- 1.75 mm HIPS Support Filament - 1 KG: the support material listed for PC-ABS.
- 1.75 mm PolyCarbonate Filament - 1 KG: when stiffness matters more than impact toughness.
- Filament Storage Refill Pack (10 Vacuum Bags and 10 Desiccant Bags): keeps dried rolls dry between jobs.
Frequently asked questions
Is PC-ABS stronger than ABS?
On OzFDM's data sheets, yes for strength and toughness: 43.5–45.5 MPa tensile strength against 33–37 MPa for ABS+, and more than three times the impact strength. It is less stiff, though, so it flexes more under the same load.
What is the difference between PC-ABS and PC-ABS Sparkling?
The published specifications are identical. PC-ABS comes in Black, White and Natural with more guidance on its product page. PC-ABS Sparkling comes in eight colours with a sparkling finish.
Do I need an enclosure for PC-ABS?
Yes. The listing says it prints best in an enclosed printer with stable chamber temperatures. Without one, warping and layer splitting become much more likely, especially on larger parts.
Can PC-ABS go in a Bambu Lab AMS?
The PC-ABS listing says it can be used with AMS systems that support both polycarbonate and ABS, provided the spool fits. It also notes that AMS compatibility doesn't guarantee your printer can process PC-ABS, so confirm nozzle temperature, heated bed and enclosure first, and keep the filament dry.
Do I need a hardened nozzle for PC-ABS?
Neither PC-ABS listing calls for one. Fibre-filled materials are the usual reason to fit a hardened nozzle, and our hardened nozzle comparison explains when it's worth it.
