FDM – PETG Printing Material
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) is a durable, cost-effective FDM material that bridges the gap between basic prototype materials and more expensive engineering-grade thermoplastics. It offers improved toughness, impact resistance, and environmental durability compared to PLA while maintaining excellent printability and affordability. PETG is also resistant to moisture and provides better outdoor durability than many entry-level 3D printing materials.
At Forerunner 3D Printing, PETG is primarily used for prototypes, fit-and-function testing, concept models, trade show parts, and budget-conscious projects where cost is a primary consideration. It is often selected by customers who need a durable prototype that can withstand handling, assembly testing, and light functional use without stepping up to higher-cost materials such as Polycarbonate, PC-ABS, carbon fiber reinforced materials, or Ultem.
Compared to other materials in the F3DP FDM lineup, PETG provides a strong balance of affordability, durability, and ease of manufacturing. While engineering-grade materials such as Polycarbonate, PC-ABS, ASA+CF, Obsidian Nylon 6+CF, and Ultem offer superior mechanical or thermal performance, PETG remains an excellent choice for rapid development projects, proof-of-concept parts, and customers seeking the most economical path from CAD model to physical part.
Key Material Facts:
- Cost-effective material ideal for prototypes, concept models, and budget-conscious projects.
- Offers improved toughness and impact resistance compared to PLA while maintaining excellent printability.
- Resistant to moisture, UV exposure, and outdoor environments, making it a popular choice for functional prototypes used outside the office or shop.
- Excellent balance of durability, ease of printing, and affordability compared to many engineering-grade thermoplastics.
- Resistant to most oils and greases commonly encountered in manufacturing and industrial environments.
- Available in a wide range of colors, making it a strong option for visual prototypes, trade show models, and customer-facing demonstration parts.
- Produces durable parts with good layer adhesion and a smooth surface finish.
Common Applications:
- Rapid prototypes and proof-of-concept parts
- Fit-and-function testing before committing to higher-cost production materials
- Trade show models and customer demonstration parts
- Assembly verification and design validation components
- Low-cost fixtures and shop aids
- Outdoor prototypes exposed to moisture, sunlight, and changing weather conditions
Design Considerations:
- We currently produce PETG parts on our desktop FDM print farm, which limits parts in this material to a maximum size of 13.38″ x 12.59″ x 13.38″. If you require a larger component, we can recommend alternative FDM materials that are available on our larger FDM systems.
- PETG is an excellent choice for prototypes, fit-and-function testing, and budget-conscious projects where durability is important but the application does not justify a higher-cost engineering material.
- Compared to PLA, PETG offers improved toughness and impact resistance, making it better suited for parts that will be handled, assembled, or used repeatedly during product development.
- PETG provides good moisture resistance and outdoor durability, making it a popular option for prototypes that will be exposed to weather, sunlight, or humid environments.
- While PETG is stronger and more durable than PLA, it is not typically the best choice for high-temperature applications or demanding production environments. Materials such as Polycarbonate, PC-ABS, ASA+CF, Obsidian Nylon 6+CF, and Ultem offer significantly higher thermal and mechanical performance for those applications.
- PETG produces parts with good surface finish and layer adhesion, making it a strong option for customer-facing prototypes, trade show models, and concept validation parts.
Frequently Asked Questions about PETG 3D Printing Material
What is PETG?
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) is a durable thermoplastic commonly used for FDM 3D printing. It offers a balance of affordability, toughness, and ease of printing, making it a popular choice for prototypes and functional models.
How does PETG compare to PLA?
PETG is generally tougher, more impact resistant, and more durable in outdoor environments than PLA. It is often selected when a prototype needs to withstand handling, assembly testing, or extended use.
What types of parts are commonly printed in PETG?
PETG is commonly used for rapid prototypes, fit-and-function models, assembly verification components, trade show parts, and other budget-conscious projects where durability is important but production-grade materials are not required.
Is PETG suitable for outdoor use?
Yes. PETG offers good resistance to moisture and UV exposure, making it a popular choice for prototypes and demonstration parts that may be used outdoors.
Material Reference Data:
- For more information on how the FDM printing process works please check out this page.
- For general FDM part design trick and tips check out this page.
FDM – PETG: Technical Specifications:
| Property Description | Testing Method | Measurement |
|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength (X-Y) | ISO 527 | 51 MPa |
| Tensile Modulus (X-Y) | ISO 527 | 2,780 MPa |
| Flexural Strength (X-Y) | ISO 178 | 75 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus (X-Y) | ISO 178 | 1,950 MPa |
| Impact Strength (X-Y) | ISO 179 | 34.2 kJ/m² |
| Heat Deflection Temperature @ 1.8 MPa | ISO 75 | 68°C |
| Glass Transition Temperature | DSC | 69°C |
| Vicat Softening Temperature | ISO 306 | 69°C |
| Water Absorption Rate | Saturated | 0.45% |
| Density | ISO 1183 | 1.25 g/cm³ |
Full material spec spec sheet can be downloaded here.
Part Gallery:
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