Why I'm using PC Blend as my "go to" filament
Prusament PC Blend has become my first choice for most of my functional prints. Not because I'm ignoring easier filaments like PCTG etc, but because the properties justify the slightly higher print temperature (and price) once you have a working profile dialed-in.
I've collected a lot of different filament types: PETG, PCTG, ASA, PA, PPA etc and each seems to have it's place. Most of my functional prints get banged up a lot and are often near heat sources. PC Blend ticks off all the boxes for: heat resistance, impact resistance and dimensional accuracy. PETG just doesn't hold up to abuse and ASA has layer adhesion issues, doesn't do well around solvents and seems less consistent under load. Then you have PA and PPA (especially PPA-CF) which are better on paper but then really overkill for something that doesn't go under a car hood.
As usual, I started with the PrusaSlicer profile for PC Blend and tweaked it. What I came up with is:
Nozzle: 275, Bed 110, Extrusion Multiplier 1.045, XY shrinkage 0.59%
Three negatives need to point out.
- For larger parts proper thermal management of the bed and chamber are needed including brims and mouse ears. I also use a very stiff Garolite G10 surface to prevent the parts from warping the print sheet off of the bed.
- Price. It's twice as much as PETG
- Colors. Not really much choice at the moment. Hopefully Prusa will expand the palette.