What is Polycarbonate (PC)?

Polycarbonate (PC) is a popular thermoplastic polymer used in various applications due to its excellent mechanical properties and high-temperature resistance. In 3D printing, polycarbonate is commonly used as a filament material due to its high strength and durability.

What is FR-Polycarbonate (PC)?

In certain applications, such as those requiring flame retardancy, a specialized version of polycarbonate, known as FR-Polycarbonate (FR-PC), may be necessary.

PC vs FR-PC

The main difference between Polycarbonate filament (PC) and FR-Polycarbonate (FR-PC) filament is the addition of flame retardancy in the latter. While both materials share similar physical properties across the board, FR-PC is modified with additional flame retardants to make it more resistant to fire. In many cases, FR-PC is also self-extinguishing, meaning that it will not continue to burn once the source of the fire is removed - Mosaic FR-PC is one such material. 

In terms of printing, the two materials have very similar properties, with FR-PC being slightly more difficult to print due to its added flame retardant additives. FR-PC also requires a higher printing temperature and slower printing speed compared to standard polycarbonate, to ensure good layer adhesion and prevent warping.

Polycarbonate filament is suitable for a wide range of industrial and consumer applications, including automotive parts, machine components, and electronics. While FR-PC can also be used for those applications, it is generally much better suited for applications that require flame retardancy. Popular print examples include aerospace components, electrical housings, and other parts that may be exposed to heat or fire.

Overall, the difference between Polycarbonate filament and FR-PC filament lies chiefly in their flame retardancy properties. While both materials have similar print capabilities and are suitable for a wide range of applications, FR-PC is the better choice for those high-heat environments. Mosaic offers FR-PC as our standard Polycarbonate material for printing in Element and Array, when typically FR-PC is more expensive and difficult to find from other suppliers.