ABS vs Polycarbonate (PC): cost compared
PC costs far more and runs much hotter. It's justified when parts must survive heat or impact that ABS can't.
| ABS | Polycarbonate (PC) | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per 100 cm³ of solid part | $2.08 | $6.00 |
| Example print (preset) | $7.41 | $11.71 |
| Typical spool price | $16–25 per kg | $40–60 per kg |
| Density | about 1.04 g/cm³ | about 1.2 g/cm³ |
| Nozzle / bed | 230–260 °C / 95–110 °C | 260–310 °C / 100–120 °C |
| Enclosure | Recommended | Required |
Typical published ranges and mid-range prices. Example prints use each page's calculator preset. Cost per volume accounts for density: a lighter filament gives more parts per kilogram.
Choose ABS for
Moderate heat resistance at low cost
- It gives off fumes while printing, so it needs ventilation or filtration.
Choose Polycarbonate (PC) for
High heat and impact strength
- Not every hotend reaches 300 °C. Check your printer's limits.
What changes the comparison
- Its low density means more parts per spool than PLA.
- A 100 °C+ bed and a warm enclosure noticeably raise average power draw.
- High temperatures mean the highest power draw of any common filament.
- It warps easily, so plan on a 10%+ failure buffer at first.
More comparisons
Know your cost. Now check the demand.
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