PETG

Within the 3D Making scene, it’s almost impossible to learn about 3D Printing without hearing about ABS & PLA. However, one polymer that just doesn’t receive the love it deserves is PETG, which of often understood as the “Best of Both Worlds”, offering durability similar to ABS, but easy-printing characteristics that PLA is so well-known for. 

 Although you may not recognise the name PETG, or Polyethylene Terephthalate (with Glycol additive), you may be surprised to find that we all use it on a near-daily basis, as it is made from the same basic materials that are commonly used to create the bottles for our favourite beverages. And when considering the impressive strength and flexibility of coke bottles and similar types of containers, it’s easy to see why it’s such a great polymer to use for 3D Printing.

When comparing PETG to PLA and ABS, it falls somewhere in the middle of both of these polymers, offering similar easy-printing traits to PLA, while also rivalling ABS in strength, durability and slight flexibility. This makes it not only an enjoyable polymer to use, since it typically gives good results with few unpleasant surprises, but also a versatile material, as it can withstand relatively high impact stresses and reasonably high temperatures too.