PC vs PEI
How PC and PEI compare, from typical settings across every filament we list.
- PC is tougher and more flexible; PEI is stiffer and better outdoors.
- PEI typically prints about 80 °C hotter at the nozzle.
- PEI typically prints about 30 °C hotter on the bed.
- PC is less dense, so a 1 kg spool holds about 19 m more 1.75 mm filament.
- There are 47 PC filaments in 131 colours, and 17 PEI filaments in 24 colours.
At a glance
Our rating, out of 5| PC | PEI | |
|---|---|---|
| Ease of printing | ||
| Toughness | Tougher | |
| Stiffness | Stiffer | |
| Heat resistance | ||
| Outdoor and UV | Better outdoors | |
| Flexibility | More flexible | |
| Setup | Needs an enclosure, Dry before printing, Needs ventilation | Needs an enclosure, Dry before printing, Needs ventilation |
| PC | PEI | |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Polycarbonate | Polyetherimide |
| Filaments listed | 47 | 17 |
| Brands | 27 | 10 |
| Colours | 131 | 24 |
| Nozzle temperature | 260–300 °C | 340–380 °C |
| Bed temperature | 100–120 °C | 120–160 °C |
| Density | 1.20 g/cm³ | 1.27 g/cm³ |
| Length of 1 kg (1.75 mm) | about 346 m | about 327 m |
| Max drying temperature | 75 °C | – |
Temperatures are medians across each material's filaments, rounded to 5 °C. Always check the maker's settings for a specific filament.
Brands that make both
9 brands make both PC and PEI.