Compared to the ever-popular PLA, ETG is a very popular 3D printing filament because of its great strength, relative flexibility, and temperature resistance. Here are some of the top reasons to print with PETG filament!
What Is PETG?
PETG is created from Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), the same material used in plastic water bottles, but with some ethylene glycol replaced with CHDM—hence the letter “G” after PET, which stands for “glycol-modified.” As a result, the filament is clearer, less brittle, and easier to extrude than PET. However, it has the unintended consequence of altering the recycling process. PET is readily recycled, but PETG is not; the slight variations between the two materials generate a pollutant in recycling facilities.
PET Variants
Though PETG is the most well-known of the PET filaments, it’s a variety of PET plastic that is widely used in water bottles and other single-use plastics. The following are some examples of PET plastics:
- PET – Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) is the world’s most widely used plastic and the raw material for PETG. PET melts at 260°C and provides the most recycling potential if your local program allows it.
- rPET – This filament has the same name as its parent material, PET, but it is created from recycled PET, hence the lowercase “r” in its name. Materials that have been recycled before may not be recyclable again.
- CPE – Some companies use a name to distinguish PET products. Because “CPE” stands for copolyester, Fillamentum and Ultimaker employ it.
Why Print With PETG?
There’s a reason there’s a lot more PETG filament on the market than PET. The glycol PET variation has a number of advantages over the base material, particularly when it comes to 3D printing. For one, it prints at a lower temperature (about 230°F instead of 260°F). Its other major advantage is that it has a high level of layer adhesion. PETG is a wonderful material for 3D printing because of the properties listed prior, but there are a few more general reasons why PETG is better than PET, including that it’s long-lasting, pliable, shock-absorbent, and even sterilizable.
We hope you have enjoyed our article on the top reasons to print with PETG filament! If you are craving more knowledge on the subject of using PETG in your prints, make sure you understand how to properly print with PETG filament!
Van Rundell is a writer and author who specializes in transportation, travel, guidance, health & fitness. With over 10 years of experience in the industry as a driver and an entrepreneur, he has seen it all. His tone is professional but friendly with a dash of humor thrown in for good measure. In past, he has been advising, educating and writing about transport for the public and professionals alike.
A qualified fitness instructor with over 5 years’ experience as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor, Van brings his deep knowledge of health and exercise science to his articles on health & fitness.
