What is PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)

PETG IS WHAT? PETG-plastic-water-bottle

Thermoplastic polyester PETG, or Polyethylene terephthalate glycol, is widely used in industry. PET is a type of plastic used extensively in food and drink packaging. The G denotes glycol, which increases the compound’s toughness and strength, as well as its resistance to impact and high temperatures. PETG filament is growing in popularity among 3D printing enthusiasts for a number of reasons, despite PLA’s apparent market dominance.

PETG’s advantages.

To begin, PETG is ideally suited for industrial applications due to its strength, durability, and adaptability. PETG’s great impact resistance and heat resistance also make it an ideal filament for use in things like medical containers and food storage containers. For good reason, PETG has become a popular 3D printing filament option because of its low price, high recycling rate, and high water resistance.

Technically speaking, PETG has a melting point of 260 degrees Celsius, a glass transition temperature of 85 degrees Celsius, a nozzle temperature of 210 to 250 degrees Celsius, and a heated bed temperature of 80 to 100 degrees Celsius. As a result, we have a product that is robust but adaptable, and which can tolerate a wide range of environmental stresses. Because of its low shrinkage rate, strong layer adhesion, and lack of odour, PETG is swiftly becoming a favourite among 3D printers. It may take some time to find the optimal settings for your printer, but the results will be well worth the effort.

The advantages of PETG filament justify its higher average price compared to cheaper alternatives like generic PLA or ABS. To reiterate, it can be recycled in its whole. Second, it doesn’t give out any unpleasant odours, making it a better choice than ABS, which is widely derided for this very reason. The corrosion and crystallization effects are eliminated, and the printing process is simplified in comparison to PET, thanks to the addition of the glycol modification. PETG, in contrast to PLA, is water-resistant, therefore it can withstand harsh outdoor conditions. It is more resistant to heat since it is printed at a higher temperature than PLA.

Pick3Dprinter.com reports that in 2021, the cost of PETG filament will be roughly the same as that of PLA or ABS. A kilogram of PLA or ABS filament costs around $20 on average, while a similar amount of PETG may be purchased for around $15. Customers eager to experiment with a novel 3D printing filament will find this to be extremely welcome news.

When compared to other common 3D printing filaments, how does PETG fare?

• PETG filament has many advantages over PLA (polylactic acid) and other related materials. PLA is readily accessible, inexpensive, and simple to work with, but it is also less durable, insensitive to moisture, easily broken, and not FDA-approved for use in food packaging. Prototypes, display models, and temporary fittings are typical uses for PLA, while PETG is more frequent in industrial settings.

• Let’s look at how PETG stacks up against another common plastic, ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene). ABS (acrylonitrile butadiene styrene) has many more uses in the industry than PLA (polylactic acid). Its strength makes it a formidable rival to PETG. ABS, however, is notorious for its off-gassing and increased susceptibility to warping. Not only does it not appeal to the ecologically conscious customer, but it also necessitates hotter printing bed temperatures. Open-framed printers are not recommended for usage with this filament.

• When comparing PETG to PMMA, it’s important to note that while both materials are transparent, PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), or acrylic, is more brittle and has lower impact resistance than PETG. Acrylic is typically employed in marine environments, optical applications, and ice rinks. In the same way that PETG is used for commercial display stands, acrylic is as well.

• Comparing PETG with Polycarbonate, polycarbonate’s exceptional impact strength (it’s used to manufacture bulletproof glass) and transparent appearance comes at a steep cost. It’s a less forgiving material to work with because printing on it demands extremely high temperatures. PETG filament is viewed as having advantages over both PLA and ABS. It combines the low maintenance of PLA with the toughness of ABS. The PETG printing procedure also doesn’t produce any off-putting chemical odours. PETG has low shrinkage rates, is resistant to water and chemicals, and provides good layer adhesion and solid bed adhesion if printed with care.

In What Ways Can PETG Be Used Most Often? 

PETG is frequently used in the development and manufacture of packaging for food and drink. It’s a great choice because it can withstand a lot of pressure and lasts a long time. In addition to being safe for use in baby food containers and water bottles, PETG does not contain any harmful levels of bisphenol A (BPA). It is easy to see why PETG has become so widely used in the food and beverage industry due to these features and its inherent transparency (which is even greater than PET’s).

PETG, however, is not limited to use in the food industry. It can survive the high temperatures and pressures of a hospital, as well as the chemical and radiation sterilization techniques that are standard practice. It is ideal for pharmaceutical and medical packaging because of its clarity and durability.

PETG is Also Used in Prosthetics and Implants For the Human Body 

If a company wants to make an impression, using PETG in its signage and displays is an excellent idea. The clear plastic is simple to dye, allowing for the creation of vibrant window displays. It’s also utilized to make colourful and varying-sized display stands, such as those used to showcase jewellery.

Machinists and production engineers utilize PETG to make items including protective guards, testing components, and manufacturing tools and aids due to the material’s high resilience to heat and chemicals.

Video 01: PCTG, Polyethylene Terephthalate-Glycol 3D Printing Filament from Essentium