Everything You Need to Know About PETG in 3D Printing
More and more people are using PETG 3D Printing these days. PETG, or glycol-modified polyester (G), is a thermoplastic that is easy to 3D print with and is as strong as ABS. This plastic has no shape and may be recycled 100% of the time. It has the same chemical makeup as polyethylene terephthalate (PET). Adding glycol makes the plastic stronger and lasts longer. Today we will look at the properties of PETG, how to print with it, and its most common uses.
Let’s go back to PET first. Since the 1990s, industries have used it to make bottles and food packaging instead of PVC, which is why it has gained widespread recognition. Manufacturers also use it to make synthetic fibres for clothes. It ranks among the most common polymers on the market, making up 18% of all plastic produced worldwide. People recognise it for its clarity, exceptional impact resistance, and dimensional stability. On the other hand, the material tends to overheat during 3D printing, which led to the development of PETG.
What makes PETG good for 3D printing
PETG is a co-polymer made of PET and glycol. Adding glycol reduces PET’s tendency to overheat, which makes it stronger. Some of PETG’s key properties include hardness, resistance to chemicals and impacts, transparency, and ductility. Printers can easily extrude this material, and it stays stable at high temperatures. Many users appreciate that it is food-safe. On the downside, PETG requires a heated bed to prevent warping, just like ABS during 3D printing. Even though the warping rate stays low, it’s best to apply a sheet of BuildTak to hold the material in place. It scratches more easily than PLA. Lastly, it absorbs water easily, so store it in a cool, dry place.
PETG prints well at an extrusion temperature of 220 to 260°C. We recommend heating the bed to no more than 80°C. Use a printing speed of 40 to 60 mm/s. Removing print supports proves challenging because PETG sticks, making separation difficult.
Top PETG Filament Manufacturers
Formfutura, ColorFabb, 3DXTech, Innofil3D, and Zortrax all produce 3D printer filaments that support PETG. These filaments come in spools of 1.75 or 2.85 mm diameters and offer different weights depending on your needs. Manufacturers often add carbon fibres to PETG to make it stiffer and lighter. For example, Nanovia includes this option in its filaments. The company also developed a PETG version reinforced with aramid fibre to make it stronger and less brittle.
As demand rises in Southeast Asia, 3D Printing Malaysia has seen increasing adoption of PETG for both hobbyist and industrial applications. If you’re looking for expertise in this material, partnering with a 3D Printing Company In Malaysia can ensure better results and material compatibility. With services like Malaysia 3D Printing, users can quickly access PETG supplies and guidance tailored to their needs.
Contact us to discover how our expertise in PETG 3D Printing and support from a leading 3D Printing Company in Malaysia can bring your ideas to life.