PC-PTFE | Spectrum
Harness the power of innovation with our Spectrum PC/PTFE advanced composite filament. A revolutionary blend of polycarbonate and PTFE (Teflon), this 3D printing material offers exceptional mechanical strength and high abrasion resistance, making it an ideal choice for a broad array of industrial applications.
Technical informations
Thermal properties | |
| HDT-B | 140 °C |
| Vicat softening temperature | 145 °C |
Filament properties | |
| Country of origin | Poland |
| Diameter tolerance | 0.03 mm |
Spool weight and dimensions |
How to store filaments
Humidity and UV light can decrease the filament quality and weaken its mechanical properties. We strongly recommend storing open filaments in a dry and dark place. You can find a complete guide on how to properly store your filament here
Where to throw print fails and supports?
We kindly ask our customers to cope with plastic waste responsibly. Failed prints, support material, rafts, or brims should be liquidated according to the local guidelines. Paradoxically, in most cases, it is better to throw this waste in the regular trash can, as most of the material waste created in 3D printing is not identified, which causes more problems than benefits in the waste sorting facilities.
PC-PTFE | Spectrum
Harness the power of innovation with our Spectrum PC/PTFE advanced composite filament. A revolutionary blend of polycarbonate and PTFE (Teflon), this 3D printing material offers exceptional mechanical strength and high abrasion resistance, making it an ideal choice for a broad array of industrial applications.
Spectrum PC/PTFE delivers unique features with enhanced thermal stability for printed parts, increased electrical insulation, and superior chemical and water resistance. The unique combination of PC and PTFE offers a reduction in wear and friction, resulting in an overall improvement in the longevity of your printed parts. The use of this type of material makes it possible to manufacture parts with relatively complex geometries while maintaining relatively high dimensional accuracy.
Key Features:
- Low processing shrinkage (linear) approx. 0.6%
- Heat deflection temperature (HDT)- 140°C
- Vicat softening point - 145°C
- Flammability rating UL 94 (3.0mm) - V1
- Electrical resistance 1E12 Ohm
- Static coefficient of friction - 0.18
- Dynamic coefficient of friction - 0.14
- High abrasion resistance
- High mechanical strength
- Strong layer lamination
Intended Use:
- Manufacturing low friction parts
- Manufacturing parts providing heat, electrical and thermal insulation
- Manufacturing low-load gears and transmission elements
- Manufacturing tools used for the assembly of components during the production process
- End-use parts and functional prototyping
Embrace the future of additive manufacturing with Spectrum PC/PTFE. Create parts with enhanced performance, quality, and durability that meet your most demanding industrial requirements.
To attain the very attractive properties of Spectrum PC/PTFE, as regards the technical aspects, you need to follow the basic storage rules for such materials (in a dry and dark place with humidity below 15%). To obtain the best parameters of the printed object possible, it is recommended to dry the material prior to work.
General information about PC :
Printability of PC filament
PC is a material reserved for advanced 3D printing users. It requires a lot of conditions to be met during printing. It usually requires a very high printing temperature but most PC filaments contain additives that enable the filament to be printed at lower temperatures. PC is prone to warping and has a high tendency to oozing during printing. PC is also highly hygroscopic, meaning that cracks and bubbles can appear during the printing process if the filament isn't dried well. To summarize:
- Use an enclosure, ideally heated chamber
- Be sure to have the filament dried before printing or dry it following the drying instructions of the manufacturer, keep the filament dry, and ideally have it in the PolyBox or something equivalent.
- Use a special adhesive like Magigoo PP or BuildTak
- Slightly increase your standard retraction distance and speed to prevent oozing
From our experience, the material seems to stick the best with slow thick extrusions on the first layer. We recommend using a first layer height of 100-150%, a first layer width of 12-150%, and a first layer speed of 15-30%. Additionally, setting the first layer to print 30°C hotter can greatly improve the first layer adhesion.
Virgin PC has a high glass transition temperature (Tg) and thus can be used in high-temperature applications. However, having a high Tg can make it very difficult to print using desktop printers, as these are usually not equipped to cater to the high printing temperatures required to print virgin PC. Virgin PC in fact tends to warp considerably when printed at an insufficient bed temperature (<130 ºC), in non-heated enclosed chambers without the use of an appropriate bed adhesive.
PC mechanical and thermal properties
PC is a high-strength material designed for use in harsh conditions and engineering applications. Its heat deflection and impact resistance are both extremely high. The typical glass transition temperature of polycarbonate is 150°C. This indicates that it can retain structural integrity up to that temperature, making it ideal for high-temperature applications. This material is very tough, meaning that it is bendable without breaking. The strength and toughness of PC make it an ideal FDM material for the production of functional prototypes as well as end-use part, nonetheless, the material does present some printing challenges
Tips and other notable benefits of PC
PC is a 3D printing material that is known for its impact resistance and transparency. The polycarbonate filament can withstand temperatures between -150°C and 140°C, allowing for a wider range of applications.
Browse all PC (polycarbonate) filaments in stock in our warehouse in Senec, Slovakia. For comparison, see also ABS and CF/GF.
Spectrum is one of the largest filament manufacturers in Poland, with one of the broadest portfolios of 3D printing materials. It covers everything from easy desktop PLA to engineering polymers and fibre-reinforced composites. JustCreate3D stocks over 30 Spectrum products in its warehouse in Senec, Slovakia, ready for fast dispatch.
Spectrum selects its raw materials carefully and uses modern production lines that let it colour filaments while keeping their key mechanical properties. Every spool comes with an individual quality report from Spectrum's own Verify Your Spool system. The range is split into three segments: easy-to-use desktop materials, industrial-grade engineering thermoplastics, and high-performance compositions for professional users.
Spectrum filaments at JustCreate3D
- PLA – PLA MATT, PLA SILK, PLA Glow in the Dark, PLA Carbon and GreenyHT™, a PLA with higher heat resistance.
- PETG and PCTG – PETG Premium, PETG MATT, PET-G Glitter, PETG Glow in the Dark, PETG HT100™, PETG FX120™, PETG 10% PTFE, PETG Carbon and PCTG.
- ASA and ABS – ASA 275, ASA Kevlar, ASA-X CF10™, ABS Kevlar and ABS Medical.
- Engineering materials – PA6 Low Warp™, PA6 Low Warp CF15S, PA6 Low Warp GF30™, PA6 CS20 FR V0, PC-PTFE and PPS AM230™.
- 5PACK sets (5 × 0.25 kg) – ASA 275, Carbon Set, Material Mix 1 and 2, PCTG Premium and PLA SILK, handy for testing several materials or colours.
Who is Spectrum for?
Spectrum is a good choice for beginners who want reliable PLA and PETG in many colours, and for advanced users who need technical materials such as low-warp nylon, ASA for outdoor parts or PPS. The 5PACK sets are a practical way to try a new material before buying a full spool.
Frequently asked questions
What is the Verify Your Spool report?
It is Spectrum's own quality system: each spool has an individual report with its quality data, so you can check the batch you received.
Which Spectrum filament should I start with?
Start with PLA (MATT or SILK for a nicer surface) or PETG Premium for tougher parts. For outdoor use, ASA 275 is the usual next step.
Do Spectrum composites need a hardened nozzle?
Yes. Carbon, glass fibre and Kevlar filled materials are abrasive, so use a hardened steel nozzle with them.
Browse all Spectrum filaments in stock.