Materials /Basic material
PETG 3D printing
PETG is what we choose when the part has to work, not just be shown. It withstands around 78 °C, resists moisture and many chemicals, and above all it is tough: it bends before it breaks, unlike PLA. For a little more money, it is the logical step from prototype to real-use part.
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At a glance
| Heat resistance (HDT) | 78 °C |
|---|---|
| Mechanical strength | Medium — tough: it absorbs impacts instead of breaking |
| Chemical and moisture resistance | Good |
| Outdoor use | Acceptable in the medium term (for years outdoors, use ASA) |
| Food contact | Depends on the filament and the finish: ask us before ordering |
Heat deflection temperature (HDT, ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa) from the data sheet of the filament we use. Real part behaviour depends on geometry, orientation and print settings.
When to choose PETG
- —General-purpose functional parts: brackets, housings, fixings, covers.
- —Light workshop tooling: jigs, guides, stops, guards.
- —Parts handled daily that take the occasional knock.
- —Parts in contact with moisture or cleaning products.
- —When PLA has deformed on you once and you would rather not repeat it.
When NOT to use PETG
- —Parts that will sustain more than 78 °C.
- —Parts that must survive years of direct sunlight without degrading.
- —Parts with very fine detail and a flawless finish: PLA reproduces better.
- —Parts under continuous friction, such as working gears.
For more heat, ABS (100 °C) or ASA (103 °C). For long-term outdoor use, ASA. For friction and wear, nylon.
Toughness: the difference you feel when using the part
What separates PETG from PLA is not temperature, it is toughness. A PLA part that takes a knock can snap in two; the same part in PETG deforms, absorbs the blow and keeps working. For anything handled daily — a housing, a bracket that gets mounted and removed, a cover — that difference decides whether the part lasts a month or lasts years.
Moisture, chemicals and cleaning
PETG belongs to the polyester family, the same as drinks bottles. That gives it good resistance to moisture and to many common cleaning products, which matters when the part lives in a bathroom, a kitchen, a workshop or anywhere that gets washed down. If your application involves a specific aggressive chemical, tell us when you request a quote and we will assess it before printing.
What it will cost you
PETG costs a little more than PLA per printed volume, but on small and medium parts the difference is absorbed by the €20 + VAT minimum order, which covers the preparation of each job. In practice: if your part is medium-sized, moving from PLA to PETG often does not change the price. Upload it to the quote tool and compare both materials on the same screen.
Frequently asked questions
Which is better, PLA or PETG?
It depends on the use. PLA for prototypes, models and indoor decorative parts: cheaper and better detail. PETG for parts that actually get used: it withstands more heat (78 °C vs 60 °C), resists moisture and is tough, so it takes knocks instead of breaking.
How much heat can PETG take?
Up to around 78 °C (HDT, ISO 75 at 0.45 MPa, from the filament manufacturer's data sheet). Enough for a car interior in summer in most situations, but not for parts next to a motor or a radiator.
Can PETG be used for food-contact parts?
We cannot give a blanket answer: it depends on the specific filament, its certification and the part's finish (the layers of an FDM print create surfaces that are hard to clean thoroughly). If your application involves food contact, tell us before ordering and we will review it case by case.
Is PETG suitable for outdoor use?
It holds up better than PLA, and for a season outdoors it is reasonable. For parts that must spend years in the sun without degrading, ASA is the right material: it is formulated to be UV- and weather-stable.
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