Comparison

HDPE vs PETG

A side-by-side comparison of High-Density Polyethylene and Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol.

Property
HDPE
PETG

Physical

Density
0.95 g/cm³
1.27 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
< 0.01 %
0.13 %
Transparency
Translucent to opaque
Transparent
Shrinkage
1.5 – 3.0 %
0.2 – 0.5 %

Mechanical

Young's Modulus
1.1 GPa
2.1 GPa
Tensile Strength
25 – 35 MPa
50 MPa
Impact Strength
No break
Elongation at Break
500 – 1000 %
120 %
Flexural Strength
70 MPa
Impact Strength (Izod)
100 J/m

Thermal

Melting Point
130 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
80 °C
65 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
75 °C
70 °C
Glass Transition Temperature
80 °C
CTE
68 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Electrical

Dielectric Constant
2.3
3.3
Volume Resistivity
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
10¹⁴ Ω·cm

Chemical resistance

Acids
Excellent
Good
Bases
Excellent
Fair
Alcohols
Excellent
Good
Oils
Good
Good
UV Resistance
Poor unless stabilized
Fair

Sustainability

Recyclability
Widely recycled
Recyclable
Recycling Code
2
1
Bio-based Content
0 – 100 %
0 %
Carbon Footprint
~1.9 kg CO₂e / kg
~2.7 kg CO₂e / kg