Comparison

PETG vs HDPE

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

Property
PETG
HDPE

Physical

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

Mechanical

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

Thermal

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

Electrical

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

Chemical resistance

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

Sustainability

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