Comparison
PETG vs Polycarbonate
A side-by-side comparison of Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol and Polycarbonate.
Physical
Density
1.27 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.13 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Transparent
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
0.2 – 0.5 %
0.5 – 0.8 %
Mechanical
Young's Modulus
2.1 GPa
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
50 MPa
60 – 70 MPa
Flexural Strength
70 MPa
90 – 100 MPa
Impact Strength (Izod)
100 J/m
600 – 900 J/m
Elongation at Break
120 %
100 – 150 %
Hardness (Rockwell M)
—
70
Thermal
Glass Transition Temperature
80 °C
147 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
70 °C
130 – 140 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
65 °C
115 – 130 °C
CTE
68 × 10⁻⁶ /K
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K
Thermal Conductivity
—
0.20 W/m·K
Electrical
Dielectric Constant
3.3
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
10¹⁴ Ω·cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
—
15 kV/mm
Chemical resistance
Acids
Good
—
Bases
Fair
Poor
Alcohols
Good
Fair
Oils
Good
Good
UV Resistance
Fair
Poor (unless coated)
Acids (dilute)
—
Good
Gasoline
—
Fair
Acetone
—
Poor (attacks)
Sustainability
Recyclability
Recyclable
Recyclable
Recycling Code
1
7
Bio-based Content
0 %
0 – 50 % (bio grades)
Carbon Footprint
~2.7 kg CO₂e / kg
~5 kg CO₂e / kg