PETG: The Material Used in This Process

You may have heard of 3-D printing before. In fact, the term has become so common that many people have started to invest in 3-D printers as a way of earning additional income. There is so much to cover under this term, but for this article, we will look at Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG), what it is, how it is used, and why it’s relevant to 3-D printing.

What Is PETG or Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol?

PET is a thermoplastic polyester. It is a valued component in different types of manufacturing because it can deliver significant benefits, such as being chemically resistant, formable, and durable in the process of manufacturing. The term PETG is an adapted version of PET (Polyethylene terephthalate) with an added component known as glycol, which is what the G at the end of PETG stands for. The glycol is added to the Polyethylene terephthalate at a molecular level. This allows the final product to contain different chemical properties. 

Although PETG is much more durable and offers much more strength than PET (Polyethylene terephthalate), the components utilize the same monomers. Furthermore, PETG is much more resistant to impact and can be used at much higher temperatures than PET (Polyethylene terephthalate). 

PETG is very popular in the use of various commercial and consumer applications. PETG has a very low forming pressure, which means that it can easily be formed using pressure, heat, or vacuum. 

How Does PETG Fit in With 3-D Printing?

Let’s first look at what 3-D printing is. It is the process of using a three-dimensional model to produce a physical object. Many thin layers of a specific material are laid on top of each other, building the model from the bottom to the top. The material used in 3-D printing is made up of various components. One of the components used in some of these materials is PETG. 

What Are 3D Printing Filament Options?

A 3-D filament is a special type of plastic used in 3-D printing. It is called thermoplastics. It is a thermoplastic that is heated up by the 3-D printer and then molded into the desired shape, according to the 3-D model, before the plastic cools down again. 

There are different kinds of filament options on the market:

• ABS filament
• Flexible filament (TPU)
• NYLON
• PVA
• Engineering PLA
• HIPS
• A carbon fiber filament composite
• Polypropylene
• PETG filament

Is PETG Stronger Than PLA?

PLA is a widely used 3-D printing filament because of its ability to quickly heat up, cool down, and be molded. However, PETG is much stronger and more durable/resilient. Other differences between these filaments include their properties, cost, and applications. There are other factors to consider when choosing a filament to print with, such as the type of printer and the final product. 

Categorised in: Plastic Design Company

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