Overview
PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-Modified) is a transparent thermoplastic polyester known for its excellent clarity, impact resistance, thermoformability, chemical resistance, and ease of fabrication.
PETG is a modified version of PET in which glycol is added during polymerization to improve toughness, reduce brittleness, and enhance processing characteristics. Compared with standard PET, PETG offers superior impact strength and easier thermoforming while maintaining excellent transparency.
PETG is widely used in:
- Medical Device Housings
- Retail Displays
- Protective Covers
- Packaging Products
- Signage
- Machine Guards
- Food Containers
- 3D Printing Filament
Due to its excellent balance of transparency, toughness, and manufacturability, PETG has become one of the most popular transparent engineering plastics.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | PETG |
| Full Name | Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol |
| Common Name | PETG |
| Material Family | Thermoplastic Polyester |
| Density | 1.23–1.27 g/cm³ |
| Appearance | Transparent, Clear, Colored |
| Transparency | Excellent |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | Thermoforming, Injection Molding, CNC Machining, 3D Printing |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Rod, Film, Pellets, Filament |
Chemical Composition
PETG is produced by modifying PET with glycol additives to improve processing and toughness.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| PET Polymer | Structural Matrix |
| Glycol Modifier | Toughness Enhancement |
| Stabilizers | Thermal Stability |
| Colorants | Appearance Enhancement |
The glycol modification reduces crystallization, improving clarity and formability.
Mechanical Properties
Typical Values
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 45–55 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 45–50 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 80–150% |
| Flexural Strength | 70–90 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 1.8–2.3 GPa |
| Hardness | Rockwell M70–85 |
| Impact Strength | Excellent |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Toughness | Outstanding |
| Impact Resistance | Excellent |
| Rigidity | Good |
| Dimensional Stability | Good |
PETG provides significantly better impact resistance than Acrylic (PMMA).
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.23–1.27 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption | 0.1–0.3% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.18–0.24 W/m·K |
| Electrical Resistivity | >10¹⁴ Ω·cm |
| Refractive Index | 1.57 |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1200 J/kg·K |
PETG combines transparency with good environmental stability.
Optical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Light Transmission | 88–90% |
| Transparency | Excellent |
| Optical Clarity | Excellent |
| Haze | Low |
| Gloss | High |
PETG offers outstanding transparency while being tougher than Acrylic.
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Glass Transition Temperature | 75–85°C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | 65–75°C |
| Melting Range | 220–250°C |
| Continuous Service Temperature | -40°C to 70°C |
| Short-Term Service Temperature | Up to 80°C |
PETG provides moderate heat resistance suitable for most consumer and industrial applications.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| PETG | 1.25 | 50 MPa |
| Acrylic (PMMA) | 1.19 | 70 MPa |
| Polycarbonate | 1.20 | 65 MPa |
| PET | 1.38 | 70 MPa |
PETG offers excellent toughness while maintaining a lightweight profile.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water | Excellent |
| Dilute Acids | Excellent |
| Dilute Alkalis | Good |
| Alcohols | Good |
| Oils & Greases | Excellent |
| Cleaning Agents | Excellent |
| Hydrocarbons | Moderate |
| Strong Solvents | Poor |
PETG performs well in many commercial and industrial environments.
Moisture Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water Absorption | Low |
| Humidity Resistance | Excellent |
| Corrosion Resistance | Excellent |
| Environmental Stability | Good |
PETG maintains stable performance in humid conditions.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | >10¹⁴ Ω·cm |
| Surface Resistivity | >10¹³ Ω |
| Dielectric Strength | 15–25 kV/mm |
| Dielectric Constant | 2.8–3.2 |
PETG can be used in low-voltage electrical applications.
Impact Resistance
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| Room Temperature Impact | Excellent |
| Drop Resistance | Excellent |
| Crack Resistance | Excellent |
| Shatter Resistance | Outstanding |
PETG is considerably tougher and less brittle than Acrylic.
Thermoforming Characteristics
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| Thermoformability | Outstanding |
| Vacuum Forming | Outstanding |
| Hot Bending | Excellent |
| Detail Reproduction | Excellent |
PETG is one of the most widely used plastics for thermoformed products.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Excellent |
| CNC Turning | Good |
| Drilling | Excellent |
| Laser Cutting | Good |
| Routing | Excellent |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| PETG | Excellent |
| Acrylic | Excellent |
| Polycarbonate | Good |
| PET | Excellent |
PETG is easy to fabricate without cracking or chipping.
3D Printing Characteristics
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| Printability | Outstanding |
| Layer Adhesion | Excellent |
| Warping Resistance | Excellent |
| Surface Finish | Good |
PETG is one of the most popular materials for FDM 3D printing.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ISO | PETG |
| ASTM | PETG Polyester |
| DIN | PETG |
| JIS | PETG |
| GB/T (China) | 改性聚对苯二甲酸乙二醇酯（PETG） |
| FDA | Food Grade PETG Available |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sheet | Yes |
| Rod | Yes |
| Film | Yes |
| Pellets | Yes |
| 3D Printing Filament | Yes |
| Injection Molded Parts | Yes |
Typical Applications
Medical Industry
- Medical Device Housings
- Protective Shields
- Diagnostic Equipment Covers
- Sterile Packaging
Retail & Display Industry
- POP Displays
- Retail Fixtures
- Product Showcases
- Display Cases
Packaging Industry
- Food Packaging
- Cosmetic Packaging
- Blister Packaging
- Transparent Containers
Industrial Applications
- Machine Guards
- Equipment Covers
- Safety Shields
- Transparent Enclosures
Signage Industry
- Illuminated Signs
- Display Panels
- Advertising Structures
Additive Manufacturing
- Functional Prototypes
- End-Use Components
- Engineering Models
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Thermoforming | Outstanding |
| Injection Molding | Excellent |
| CNC Machining | Excellent |
| 3D Printing | Outstanding |
| Vacuum Forming | Outstanding |
Advantages
Excellent Impact Resistance
Much tougher than Acrylic.
Outstanding Thermoformability
Ideal for vacuum forming and complex shapes.
High Transparency
Provides excellent optical clarity.
Easy Fabrication
Cuts, bends, and forms easily.
Food Contact Safe
Available in FDA-compliant grades.
Excellent 3D Printing Performance
One of the most reliable engineering filaments available.
Limitations
Lower Scratch Resistance
Softer than Acrylic.
Moderate Heat Resistance
Not suitable for high-temperature environments.
Chemical Sensitivity
Strong solvents can cause damage.
UV Stability
Less UV resistant than Acrylic without stabilization.
Comparison with Transparent Plastics
| Property | PETG | Acrylic | Polycarbonate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Transparency | Excellent | Outstanding | Excellent |
| Impact Resistance | Excellent | Moderate | Outstanding |
| Thermoformability | Outstanding | Good | Moderate |
| Scratch Resistance | Moderate | Better | Moderate |
| Cost | Moderate | Moderate | Higher |
Comparison with Acrylic (PMMA)
| Property | PETG | Acrylic |
|---|---|---|
| Impact Resistance | Better | Lower |
| Thermoforming | Better | Good |
| Optical Clarity | Excellent | Outstanding |
| Scratch Resistance | Lower | Better |
| Brittleness | Lower | Higher |
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Clear Gloss Finish
- Matte Finish
- Frosted Finish
Functional Finishes
- CNC Machined Finish
- Polished Finish
- Thermoformed Finish
Specialty Grades
- Medical Grade PETG
- Food Grade PETG
- UV-Stabilized PETG
- Antimicrobial PETG
- 3D Printing PETG
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is PETG?
PETG is a glycol-modified polyester plastic that combines transparency, impact resistance, and easy fabrication.
What is PETG used for?
Typical applications include:
- Medical Devices
- Retail Displays
- Food Packaging
- Machine Guards
- 3D Printing
Is PETG stronger than Acrylic?
PETG offers significantly better impact resistance, while Acrylic provides better scratch resistance and optical clarity.
Is PETG food safe?
Yes. FDA-compliant PETG grades are widely used in food and medical packaging.
Can PETG be thermoformed?
Yes. PETG is one of the best materials for thermoforming and vacuum forming.
Why choose PETG?
Because it combines:
- High Transparency
- Excellent Toughness
- Easy Fabrication
- Food Safety
- Outstanding Thermoformability
Is PETG good for 3D printing?
Yes. PETG is one of the most popular engineering-grade 3D printing materials.
Does GCNOV provide PETG manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- PETG CNC Machining
- PETG Thermoforming
- Vacuum Forming
- Injection Molding
- Medical Device Components
- Display Manufacturing
- Prototype Development
- Mass Production