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PETG FILAMENT FOR YOUR 3D PRINTER

INTRODUCTION ABOUT PRINT SETTINGS BRANDS

Introduction
Glycol-modified Polyethylene Terephthalate (PETG) is a clear, extremely durable 3D printing filament with higher temperature resistance than PLA and easier
printing than ABS. PETG is rapidly becoming more popular so here you can find everything you need to know to choose and print with the right PETG
filament.

Print settings

Market Data Users Data

Average temperature 224 › 247°C Average Bed Temperature 68 °C.


MIN/MAX
Ease Of Print 
Average Tolerance 0.06mm (MIN : 0.01,
MAX : 0.1mm) Experience Globale 

Average price labelled in 35.05 (MIN : 17.06, MAX Quality Of Print 
EUR/kg : 105.33)
Warping 
Average price labelled in 37.48 (MIN : 19.95, MAX
USD/kg : 58.15) Statistics based on 74 print settings

Statistics based on 680 Filaments

Best temperature settings for speed, weighted by the satisfaction

Best adhesion solution, weighted by the user satisfaction

Brands

AmazonBasic
3D Solutech AIO Robotics AprintaPro
s
5 4 34
10

AzureFilm ColoriLAB Das Filament ESUN


2 88 11 18

Extrudr FILOALFA Fiberlogy FilRight


100 20 18 13

Filament PM Filamentive Filaments.ca Formfutura


26 4 8 41

Keene
MatterHacker
Hatchbox Inland Village
s
11 2
Plastics
7
104

Nexeo
NEEMA3D Oo-kuma Procatec
Solutions 3D
7 14 15
12

SMART
Real
REC Reprapper MATERIALS
Filament
8 14
3D
35
20

add north rigid ink


21 8

About

PETG Discovery

PETG is a copolymer of the synthetic polymer Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) which was first patented 10 by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company in
1949. The production of PETG from PET was first demonstrated by Kibler of Eastman Kodak Co. in 1959 11 however it wasn't until 1977 that PETG was
commercially produced by the Tennessee Eastman Chemical company under the product name Kodar PETG 6763. PETG was initially intended for use in
commercial blow moulding due to its clarity and toughness however it was not particularly well received, many thought that production would be better
focused on PET.

Despite its clarity, one of the biggest problems with commercial PETG was its colourisation. Significant processing and catalysis was required to reach an
acceptable colour, often using cobalt. It was not until 1993 that a low colour PETG was marketed as Spectar Copolyester as a result of some significant
breakthroughs in PETG colouring 13 and toners 12.

How is PETG made?

PETG is an oil based polymer and is made from 3 components: terephthalic acid (TPA), ethylene glycol (EG) and cyclohexane dimethanol (CHDM).

PETG is made using a two-step, melt-phase polycondensation process. This is a relatively simple process that joins together two different monomers
accompanied by the release of a small molecule, like water. The first step in PETG synthesis is esterification of TPA, EG and CHDM at around 230 in a nitrogen
atmosphere, this is when the first polycondensation reaction occurs in the presence of a metal catalyst, usually cobalt. The second polycondensation step is
carried out at high temperature (usually around 280) under high vacuum conditions. This animation 8 shows how an industrial melt-phase polycondensation
reaction works and you can read more about PETG production in the Handbook of Thermoplastics.

PETG vs PET

As previously mentioned, PETG is a copolymer of PET. PET is a polymer synthesized from TPA and EG. PET is extremely widely produced due to being
extremely tough, lightweight, thermally stable and hydrophobic. These properties are a result of PET polymers being able to pack very tightly against each
other giving a crystalline structure. This is possible as EG is a relatively small, linear monomer. PET's high thermal stability makes it very difficult to 3D print
with, requiring a high printing temperature and often having adhesion issues.

The key difference between PET and PETG is the presence of cyclohexane dimethanol (CHDM). CHDM is incorporated into the polymer chain, replacing EG at
variable ratios. For the polymer to be classed as PET then it must have 50% or less CHDM modification, anything above 50% is classed as PCTG.

CHDM monomers are much larger and bulkier than EG, this means that once it is incorporated into PETG the polymer chain cannot fit tightly against its
neighbouring chain. This greatly reduces the crystallinity of PETG making it an amorphous polymer. This also results in PETG having a significantly lower
glass transition temperature and printing temperature than PET. It is for this reason that PETG is used for 3D printing: It retains many of the desirable
mechanical and chemical properties of PET whilst being much easier to print with!

Physical properties of PETG

Property Value

Chemical
C10H8O4 . C16H18O4
Formula

Chemical
Structure

CAS Number 25640-14-6 5

SPI Resin
Identification 1 or 7
Code 15

Crystallinity Amorphous

Glass
80-82°C
Transition

Melting
No strict melting temperature as PETG is amorphous
Temperature

Printing
220-250°C
Temperature

Density 1.27-1.29g/cm3

Tensile
26-45.8MPa
Strength*

Tensile
Elongation At 120-190%
Break*

Flexural
52-80MPa
Strength**

Water
No
Soluble?

Other
Benzene, Glacial Acetic Acid. Full list of PETG Solvent resistance 17
Solvents

Example
Technical 3DXSTAT TDS 2
Date Sheet

Example
Safety Data 3DXSTAT SDS 1
Sheet

* ASTM D638 Test Method 3

** ASTM D790 Test Method 4 Technical data has been collated from Prospector 16 and Excelon 21.

Note This table contains generalised properties and should not be considered as material specifications. PETG products from different manufacturers may
differ considerably from the data given here.

Advantages of PETG

Physical Properties

One of the key advantages of PETG is its physical properties. Being a copolymer of PET means that PETG retains many of the extremely desirable strengths of
PET. Not only is it a very lightweight material, PETG is impact resistant, strong and flexible. It is slightly softer that PET, ABS or PLA making it more difficult to
break but also more susceptible to wear. PETG is resistant to water as well as having great chemical resistance.

Printing

Getting the settings right for PETG can be a little tricky but once everything is set up correctly PETG will print very well with great Z-axis adhesion. PETG
adheres very well to the base layer although in some cases it adheres too well and can be difficult to remove! For this reason, it is also not suitable as a
support structure. PETG demonstrates very little shrinking so is suitable for printing large parts. PETG is odourless when printing but you should still make
sure you're printing in a well-ventilated area.

Food Safety

PETG filament is generally considered food safe, especially as it can be sterilized. PETG is often used in food and drink containers. Low CHDM PETG is often
used for soft drinks bottles as it is more flexible than PET. PETG resin has been FDA approved for food contact however this may vary from different
manufacturers and filaments depending on additives that are used. Always check the Safety Data Sheet. When 3D printing products that will be in contact
with food and drink you must always remember that bacteria can easily build up in the small ridges characteristic for 3D printed products. Using a food safe
sealant or epoxy can help to prevent this build-up. You should also use a food safe hot end/extruder (usually made from stainless steel). This is because other
extruder materials can contain contaminants that may enter your product, for example brass nozzles may contain lead.

Disadvantages of PETG

Printing

Whilst PETG is a very strong material it tends to struggle printing bridges between parts as the printed PETG will often sag. Active cooling and slightly lower
print speed and temperature can help to mitigate this. PETG is also susceptible to producing thin hairs on the surface of the print due to stringing and oozing.
An important consideration when printing with PETG is its clarity. Whilst this is usually seen as an advantage, it will also make any imperfections within the
internal layers of your print visible.

Many find that 3D printing with PETG can be difficult to begin with but once the correct settings have been found it is easy to print with and produces high
quality products. To help find the correct settings for 3D printing with PETG you can use our Go-To print settings tool. This tool collates the settings from all
the successful prints uploaded by the Filaments.Directory community to find the right settings for you!

Recycling

PETG is traditionally classed with a Resin Identifier Code of 1, this is the same as PET and other PET copolymers. In recent years however, concern has grown
over the recycling of PETG with PET. Despite being chemically and physically similar, PET and PETG require different processing temperatures during
mechanical recycling. This has led to some recyclers claiming that PET and PETG act as contaminants for each other when recycled in the same stream! This is
particularly important as PET and PETG are not easily distinguished from each other using the common sink-float separation process 14 used by plastic
recyclers. This has resulted in some areas excluding PETG from RIC 1 18. Some local recycling programs will accept PETG for recycling whilst others will not so
it is always best to check

Flammability

Whilst PETG has a relatively low flammability HMIS 7 flammability rating of 1) it will burn after prolonged exposure to high temperatures. It will release
carbon oxides, including carbon monoxide, on combustion. Powdered PETG may form an explosive dust-air mixture. Dry chemical or chemical foam sprays
are appropriate extinguishers. Direct water streams should be avoided, especially if the plastic is molten. Always check the Safety Data Sheet before use.

Printing with PETG

PETG Filament Storage

PETG is hygroscopic, meaning that it will absorb water from the air. This results in increased brittleness, filament breaking, bubbling when printing or filament
degradation. In some cases, this can lead to filament jamming in your printer's hot end, it may even require replacing the hot end if the jam is severe. This can
be avoided by storing your filaments in vacuum bags with silicagel "dry packs". You should also avoid storing filament for a long period of time. To read more
about protecting your 3D printing filaments from humidity you can read our blog post here.

Print Environment and Safety

Unlike ABS or other 3D printing filaments, PETG does not release foul odours during printing. Despite this you should still print in a well-ventilated area as
printing with plastics of any type may be a source of ultrafine particles 19 which should not be inhaled.

The Base Layer

Using a good base layer material is imperative to ensure that the first print layer adheres properly and does not unstick during printing. To find out more
about the importance of adhesion and the base layer you can read our blog post.

Blue painters tape is very commonly used as a base layer as it is easy and fast! Although this will work for PETG you will usually get much better results
using a heated bed. If you decide to use blue painters tape then you need to ensure that the build platform is covered evenly without any gaps or
overlaps. You will need to replace the tape every 5-10 prints.
Polyetherimide (PEI) plates can be used a slight upgrade to painters tape. The PEI sheet can be stuck directly to your print bed using adhesive transfer
tape and requires no other processing. You may find that your PETG 3D print adheres too well to your PEI sheet and you could be in danger of damaging
either the product or the PEI sheet when you remove it! A common method of removing PETG 3D prints from a PEI sheet is by heating the bed to 80°C
and gently removing the print with a soft putty knife. Caution when doing this as 80°C is at or near the glass transition temperature of PETG. At this
temperature the product will be soft and may be easily deformed. Avoid using isopropyl alcohol to clean your PEI sheet when printing with PETG as it
will cause the print to adhere too strongly. Window cleaner is a good alcohol-free cleaning alternative.
In general, avoid printing PETG directly onto glass. Whilst it usually will not cause any problems, if your print adheres particularly well then you may be
in danger of damaging your print bed when you remove your PETG 3D Print. It's safer to have another layer between your print and the bed.

The First Layer

The first print layer is essential to get right in order to prevent unsticking during the printing. There are multiple factors to consider here:

The Print Bed: The bed must be perfectly level. The bed is usually kept between 60°C to 80°C for PETG printing.
The extruder must be at the correct height from the bed to allow the PETG filament to squish and adhere to the base material properly. Too high and the
PETG will not adhere to the base layer. Too low and the bed will completely block the extruder.
Use a good base layer that will adhere well to your PETG filament.
Moderate cooling with a fan is usually required for printing with PETG however you may consider not cooling the first few layers in order to ensure good
adhesion.
Using a raft base layer often works well with PETG as the glossy filament surface allows it to separate easily from the raft whilst maintaining a good
finish.

Print Temperature

PETG is particularly prone to stringing and oozing when printing. PETG can also form droplets, particularly when the nozzle is stationary. In some cases,
droplets of PETG have been known to stick to the nozzle and burn or drip onto other parts of the prints. At best this will reduce the quality of your print and at
worst it may be a hazard next time the nozzle moves through that area. It is therefore important to get the printing temperature for PETG just right! The Print
temperature for PETG is generally between 220°C and 250°C however this can vary greatly depending on the filament. Always check the Technical Data
Sheet. You can also consult our Go-To print settings tool which has been created by analysing all the successful print settings that the Filaments.directory
community have uploaded. The optimal printing temperature will also be affected by your printing environment so it is a good idea to do some test prints
and vary the temperature by 5°C increments until it runs smoothly.

If the printing temperature is too hot then you will find that the extruder may leak PETG, you may also find that there are thin strings of plastic between
different areas of your print. When this happens lower the printing temperature incrementally until the extruder is no longer leaking PETG.
If the printing temperature is too cold then the layers of PETG will not adhere to each other properly. This may result in a rough surface or weak areas
that can be easily pulled apart.

Print Speed

PETG has a print speed slightly slower than that of ABS or PLA. Print speed is often in the range of 30mm/second to 90mm/second however this may vary
depending on the filament and the printer, it is often not likely to go above 60mm/second. Higher quality prints will generally benefit from speeds at the
lower end of this spectrum. Much like printing temperature you may find that it is best to start with a speed and increase or decrease it incrementally until
you find an optimum. Faster printing will also tend to require a higher printing temperature as it requires a lower viscosity which can be achieved at higher
printing temperatures. Always consult the Technical Data Sheet for the manufacturers recommended print speed.

Problems

Most of the problems associated with printing with PETG arise from incorrect print settings. The best way to address this is to experiment with some tests
first to find the optimum settings for your printer and the PETG filament you're using. A good way to start this is with the recommended settings from the
manufacturers Technical Data Sheet. Another great way to help find the right settings is to use our Go-To print settings tool which has been created by
analysing all the successful print settings that the Filaments.directory community have uploaded.

Some specific problems you might encounter are:

Your PETG print is stuck to your print surface. If this happens then you can heat your print bed to around 80°C. At this point the print will start to soften
as it has reached the glass transition temperature of PETG. You can then use a soft putty knife or something similar to gently remove your 3D print from
the base. Be careful not to damage or deform the print, remember the PETG will be soft at this temperature!
Droplets of PETG forming around the nozzle and burning or being deposited onto your 3D print. This can often be reduced by slightly reducing your
nozzle temperature to prevent or lessen oozing. Additionally, you may want to modify your Coasting Distance or Extra Restart Distance as a lot of these
droplets form when the filament is retracted when station. This can also help to reduce stringing and oozing.

Post Processing

Removing Supports

If you have a dual nozzle printer you can print your supporting structures in a low-density water or chemical soluble 3D printing filament which can simply
be soaked in the relevant solvent to remove. HIPS and PVA are both commonly used as support materials. As previously mentioned, PETG adheres very well
to itself. This can makes removing PETG supports very difficult without damaging the rest of the print.

Removing Excess

You may find that your print has little burrs or lips that need to be removed as they can often feel quite sharp and prevent pieces from fitting together
properly. A Dremel 6 is commonly used to grind down 3D printing products, alternatively you can file down any excess by hand. PETG is a good medium
between PLA (which does not sand well) and ABS (which sands extremely well).

Cold Welding

Cold Welding is the process of using a small amount of solvent to fuse together multiple printed parts of the same material. This technique is often used for
ABS products. As previously mentioned, PETG has good chemical resistance. Whilst cold welding PETG is possible, the solvents required to do this are
generally very strong and can be very hazardous. Cold welding is not recommended for PETG 3D prints. Instead of welding, consider using a cyanoacrylate
glue (superglue) or an epoxy (see below). Gluing may be significantly improved by sanding, cleaning and de-greasing the area.

Epoxy

Epoxy can be used to fill gaps in the print and give the product a clear, smooth outer shell. It is worth noting that the 3D printing layer lines will still be visible
under the epoxy coat.

Warning Epoxy resin is generally classed as an irritant. Epoxy hardeners can be corrosive and toxic. Epoxy is toxic to aquatic organisms. Wear gloves
when using epoxy and do not let it come into contact with your skin. Repeated skin contact can result in an allergic response to epoxy.

Painting

PETG is not an easy material to paint (if you've ever tried to paint a plastic water bottle you will know this) however with sanding, cleaning and de-greasing it
should be able to hold a priming layer that you can sand again and paint over.

Uses of PETG

PETG is an extremely widely used plastic. Its chemical and functional differences from PET make it an ideal material for multiple uses. Due to being very light,
impact resistant and clear, PETG is often used for packaging purposes. PETG's ability to undergo rigorous EtO Sterilization 20 makes it ideal for medical
instrument storage/packaging. PETG resin is FDA approved food safe and often used in food packaging. PETG is becoming an increasingly popular 3D
printing filament due to its excellent mechanical qualities and a printing difficulty similar to that of PLA and ABS.

The Future of PETG

PETG is becoming an increasingly popular filament for use during 3D printing, in fact our [2018 State of the Filament] LINK HERE market survey showed that
it has become the second most popular filament used by our community, in place of ABS. As such, we can expect to see many more PETG filaments being
introduced with a wider variety of superpowers and modification such as UV resistance. Much like for PLA 9, we may even begin to see PETG resins that have
been specifically designed for 3D printing.

References

1) 3dxtech.com. (2018). 3DXSTAT™ ESD - PETG. [online] Available at: http://www.3dxtech.com/content/ESD_PETG_SDS_v1.0.pdf [Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

2) 3dxtech.com. (2018). 3DXSTAT™ ESD - Safe PETG 3D Filament. [online] Available at: https://www.3dxtech.com/content/ESD_PETG_Filament_v2.1.pdf
[Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

3) Astm.org. (2018). ASTM D638 - 14 Standard Test Method for Tensile Properties of Plastics. [online] Available at: https://www.astm.org/Standards/D638.htm
[Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

4) Astm.org. (2018). ASTM D790 - 17 Standard Test Methods for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating
Materials. [online] Available at: https://www.astm.org/Standards/D790.htm [Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

5) Commonchemistry.org. (2018). Common Chemistry - Substance Details - 25640-14-6 : 1,4-Benzenedicarboxylic acid, dimethyl ester, polymer with 1,4-
cyclohexanedimethanol and 1,2-ethanediol. [online] Available at: http://www.commonchemistry.org/ChemicalDetail.aspx?ref=25640-14-6 [Accessed 10 Apr.
2018].

6) Dremel.com. (2018). Dremel Tools - Find the right tool to complete your project, DIY or professional - dremel.com. [online] Available at:
https://www.dremel.com/en_US/tools/-/subcategory/tool/find-by-category/27343/rotary [Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

7) En.wikipedia.org. (2018). Hazardous Materials Identification System. [online] Available at:


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazardous_Materials_Identification_System [Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

8) English.lottechem.com. (2018). Ulsan PET Plant(Melt Phase Condensation Polymerization Process) | Cyber Tour | LOTTE Chemical. [online] Available at:
http://english.lottechem.com/contents/cyberTour/ulsan02_pet01.asp [Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

9) Natureworksllc.com. (2018). NatureWorks | 3D Series for 3D Printing. [online] Available at: https://www.natureworksllc.com/Products/3D-series-for-3D-
printing [Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

10) Patents.google.com. (2018). US2534028A - Production of polyethylene terephthalate - Google Patents. [online] Available at:
[https://patents.google.com/patent/US2534028]https://patents.google.com/patent/US2534028) [Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

11) Patents.google.com. (2018). US3277060A - Preparation of elastomeric polymers by employing during the preparation of the polymer an aliphatic sulfur-
containing compound - Google Patents. [online] Available at: https://patents.google.com/patent/US3277060 [Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

12) Patents.google.com. (2018). US5372864A - Toners for polyesters - Google Patents. [online] Available at: https://patents.google.com/patent/US5372864
[Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

13) Patents.google.com. (2018). US5681918A - Process for preparing copolyesters of terephthalic acid ethylene glycol and 1 4-cyclohexanedimethanol
exhibiting a neutral hue high clarity and increased brightness - Google Patents. [online] Available at: https://patents.google.com/patent/US5681918
[Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

14) Plastic Recycling Machine. (2018). Sink / Float Separation Tank - Plastic Recycling Machine. [online] Available at:
http://www.plasticrecyclingmachine.net/sink-float-separation-tank/ [Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

15) Plastics.americanchemistry.com. (2018). Plastic Packaging Resins. [online] Available at: https://plastics.americanchemistry.com/Plastic-Resin-Codes-PDF/
[Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

16) Plastics.ulprospector.com. (2018). Polyester Typical Properties Generic PETG | UL Prospector. [online] Available at:
https://plastics.ulprospector.com/generics/37/c/t/polyester-properties-processing/sp/20 [Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

17) Solutions-in-plastics.info. (2018). PETG Chemical Resistance. [online] Available at: https://solutions-in-plastics.info/nl-
be/datasheets/transparante%20kunststoffen/eriks%20-%20petg%20chemical%20resistance.pdf [Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

18) Staub, C. (2018). PETG excluded from No. 1 resin code in California - Plastics Recycling Update. [online] Plastics Recycling Update. Available at:
https://resource-recycling.com/plastics/2017/10/18/petg-excluded-no-1-resin-code-california/ [Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

19) Stephens, B., Azimi, P., El Orch, Z. and Ramos, T. (2013). Ultrafine particle emissions from desktop 3D printers. Atmospheric Environment, 79, pp.334-339.

20) STERIS AST. (2018). Ethylene Oxide (EtO) Sterilization Process & Services | STERIS AST. [online] Available at: https://www.steris-
ast.com/services/ethylene-oxide-sterilization/ [Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

21) Thermoplasticprocesses.com. (2018). PETG Fabrication and Display Profiles. [online] Available at:
http://www.thermoplasticprocesses.com/sites/default/files/pdf/tpi-petg.pdf [Accessed 10 Apr. 2018].

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