What is PETG?

The advantage of PETG Plastic

PETG is strong and cost-effective when compared to either acrylic or polycarbonate. Its unique characteristics make it preferable for impact-resistant glazing and high strength display units. Suitable for digital printing, PETG lends itself to product materials, displays, and signage.

In general, PETG is a food-safe plastic that's commonly used for food containers and bottles for liquid beverages. Like acrylic and many other thermoplastics, PETG is fully recyclable.

PETG is both thermoformable and vacuum-formable, and can tolerate a tremendous amount of pressure without cracking. Although PETG is naturally clear, it takes color easily during processing. It can be injection molded into a variety of shapes, or extruded into sheets.

PETG's damage resistance is far higher than that of acrylic, to the point that it rivals the impact resistance of polycarbonate. However, PETG fabricates easily, making it an easy material for both practitioners and professional fabricators.

The Applications of PETG

Thanks to its easy thermoforming and chemical resistance, PETG has many uses. It is commonly used in single use and reusable drinking bottles, cooking oil containers, and FDA-compliant food storage containers. However, PETG is also found across the medical field; its rigid structure allows it to survive harsh sterilization processes, making it a perfect material to be used in medical implants, as well as pharmaceutical and medical device packaging.

PETG is an excellent material to use in modern 3D printers, and is quickly becoming a favorite among the community as it becomes more accessible. With the correct print settings, PETG filament prints easily, has excellent layer adhesion, and is odorless while it prints. It also has very low shrinkage properties, which enables larger prints than materials like PLA or ABS. At the same time, it's extremely strong and has great chemical resistance. This allows it to print objects that can sustain high temperature, food-safe applications, and exceptional impact.

Diving deeper, PETG plastic is often the material of choice for point-of-sale stands and other retail displays. Since it's easy to manufacture in a wide range of shapes and colors, businesses often turn to PETG material for eye-catching signage that attracts customers. Plus, the added benefit of easy printing helps make customized, intricate imagery an affordable option.

What's the Difference between PET and PETG?

Although these compounds look similar, they are fundamentally different materials on a molecular level. PET is the result of two monomers combining. PETG may involve these same monomers, but also includes glycol, giving it different chemical properties than PET.

PETG is less brittle and more pliable than its PET counterpart, making it ideal for bottles. It also has better shock resistance and is better suited to higher temperatures.