Comparison
PETG FDM Filament vs PLA
A side-by-side comparison of Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol-Modified Filament for FDM and Polylactic Acid.
Physical
Density
1.27 g/cm³
1.24 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.3-0.6 %
0.5 %
Transparency
Transparent to Translucent
Semi-transparent
Shrinkage
Low (0.3-0.6%)
0.3 – 0.5 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
2.0-2.5 GPa
3.5 GPa
Tensile Strength
50-60 MPa
50 – 65 MPa
Elongation at Break
6-15 %
6 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
6-10 kJ/m²
16 J/m
Flexural Strength
—
80 MPa
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
70-80 °C
60 °C
Melting Point
210-250 °C
150 – 160 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
50-60 °C
45 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
55-65 °C @ 0.45 MPa
55 °C
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.0-3.2
3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹³-10¹⁵ Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15-20 MV/m
—
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good resistance to dilute acids and bases
Fair
Bases
Moderate resistance to dilute bases
Poor
Solvents
Resistant to oils, greases. Attacked by strong polar solvents.
—
UV Resistance
Good
Poor
Alcohols
—
Fair
Hydrolysis
—
Poor
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable (PET stream)
Industrially compostable
Recycling Code
1 (PET)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate
~1.6 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
—
100 %