Thermoplastic · Copolyester
IntermediatePCTG
PETG's tougher cousin
PETG's tougher, clearer cousin — higher impact resistance and transparency, still easy to print.
Print temperatures
Nozzle 235–260 °C Bed 70–90 °C
PCTG is essentially “PETG turned up” — pushing the CHDM content past half yields a tougher, clearer, more humidity-stable material that still prints almost as easily as PETG.
It's gaining popularity as a higher-clarity, higher-impact upgrade for functional and transparent parts.
Strengths & trade-offs
- Higher impact resistance and ductility than PETG
- Excellent clarity / transparency
- Good chemical resistance
- Better humidity stability than PETG
- Low warp, easy to print
- More hygroscopic — dry before printing
- Stringy like PETG
- Slightly higher print temps
- Less widely available and pricier
- Modest heat resistance (~70 °C)
Best for
Transparent functional partsImpact-resistant enclosuresWater bottlesClear lenses and guards
Did you know
- The only real difference between PETG and PCTG is whether CHDM is below or above ~50 % of the glycol.
- PCTG holds up better than PETG in humid environments, keeping clarity and toughness longer.
