Thermoplastic · Copolyester
IntermediatePETG
PET-G · Glycol-modified PET
Strong, slightly flexible, and weather-resistant. The go-to for functional parts that need more durability than PLA.
Print temperatures
Nozzle 230–250 °C Bed 70–85 °C
PETG bridges PLA's ease and ABS's durability. The glycol modification stops the polymer crystallizing and clouding when reheated, giving a clear, tough, chemically resistant material.
It became the second most-popular FDM material: nearly as easy to print as PLA, but waterproof, food-contact-capable, and far more durable.
Strengths & trade-offs
- Tough and impact-resistant
- Good chemical and water resistance
- Higher heat tolerance than PLA (~70–80 °C)
- Low warp vs ABS
- Clear / glossy options
- Stringy — oozes without tuning
- Can stick too well and damage glass beds
- Scratches easily
- Weak layer adhesion if overcooled
- Mildly hygroscopic
Best for
Functional partsMechanical bracketsWater-tight containersOutdoor partsProtective guards
Did you know
- PET's parent polymer was patented in 1941 but kept secret until 1946 for wartime security.
- Only two companies — Eastman and SK Chemicals — make most of the PETG copolyester base resin.
