3D Printing with PETG: Tips and Tricks

In This Article:

• Printing With PETG Filament
• Interesting PETG Filament Facts
• 3D Printing with PETG: Tips and Tricks
• Common applications of PETG
• PETG Filament Data Sheet Information

Printing With PETG Filament (Updated 2018)

PETG filament is an extra tough 3D print material. This is an extremely high-strength filament and can achieve very sturdy and strong prints. It has very low shrinkage, making this perfect for larger flat surfaces. PETG is a perfect alternative to ABS and PLA, offering higher strength, lower shrinkage, and a smoother finish.

Interesting PETG Filament Facts

Some interesting facts about PETG:

• PETG is short for polyethylene terephthalate glycol-modified, and is a transparent type of Copolyester.
• PETG is the perfect filament to combine strength and ductility, which is why it’s used in so many mechanical parts and robotics.
• It has great chemical resistance with good water, acidic and alkalic resistance.
• PETG is also makes a great material for artistic prints like bracelet, rings, collars etc.. You can achieve a nice shiny transparent/see thru look which reflects the light nicely.

3D Printing with PETG: Tips and Tricks

• PETG has a higher melting temperature  than PLA so we recommend setting your hot end temperature between 235 and 250°C.
• ALWAYS use a fan with PETG as it tends to cool the filament in the hot end and help with retractions.
• Keep your retraction speed slow at 40mm/s or less.
• Set your bed temperature to 80-100°C .
• Apply one coat of Wolfbite by painting on cold glass with long strokes. Wolfbite is a solution specially engineered to bond PETG and ABS plastic parts directly to a heated glass 3D printing surface without lifting. Once the 3D printed parts have cooled, they will dismount from the printing surface with minimal effort, leaving a clean and smooth bottom surface.

Common applications of PETG

PETG is used in a variety of signage, packaging, industrial and medical applications:

• Medical braces.
• Bottles
• Electronics.
• Guards.
• Glazing.
• Covers.
• Point-of-purchase and graphic displays.

Did you know?

PETG is food and skin safe, so it can be used in medical and food applications. In medical applications, it stands up to radiation and chemical sterilization techniques without changing color.

PETG is not hydroscopic and is also chemical resistant.

PETG’s low shrink rate make it ideal for large prints, or where tolerance can be an issue.

– INFORMATION FROM PETG FILAMENT DATA SHEET (AIRWOLF 3D BRAND)-

Airwolf 3D PETG filament is an extra tough 3D-print material. This is an extreme high strength filament and can achieve very sturdy and strong prints. It has very low shrinkage, making this perfect for larger flat surfaces.  Airwolf 3D’s new PETG is a perfect alternative to ABS and PLA, offering higher strength, lower shrinkage, and a smoother finish.

SECTION 1, IDENTIFICATION			AIRWOLF 3D TESTED PROPERTIES
Product Part Number:	Black AW3D-F14501 Blue (Transparent) AW3D-F14515 Red AW3D-F14504 White AW3D-F14502 Yellow (Transparent) AW3D-F14508		Ultimate Strength: Elongation at Break:	50.0 MPa 21.5 %
Recommended Use:	3D printing filament		(see “Methodology of Test” for details)
Restrictions on Use:	For use with 3D printers

SECTION 2, DESCRIPTION
Description:	PETGs (or copolyester) are glycol modified PETs; the modification is done by adding a second glycol during polymerization. The resulting molecular structure is irregular and the resin is clear and amorphous with a higher glass transition temperature of 88 C (190 F). PETGs can be processed over a wider processing range than conventional PETs and offer good combination of properties such as toughness, clarity, and stiffness. Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol
Applications:	Low shrinkage (minimal warping) is ideal for printing larger prototypes Prototypes which are shatterproof or translucent Mounts, jigs and fixturesHeadlight covers Food and liquid storage
Key Features:	Brilliant Color Superior Chemical Resistance BPA FreeAmorphous:  Low and near isotropic shrinkage Low moisture absorption Very low odor emitted during printingMore flexible than PLA or ABS Can be printed with lower bed temperatures than ABS Does not need an enclosure
SECTION 3, SPECIFICATIONS

EXTRUDER TEMPERATURE	235C – 255C
BED TEMPERATURE	80C – 120C
HEATED BED	Required
RECOMMENDED BUILD SURFACE	Wolfbite for ABS, PETG, TPU, and TPE
DIAMETER	2.88mm
COLOR	Black, Blue, Red, White, Yellow
COMPATIBLE MACHINE	AXIOM, AXIOM 20, AXIOM Dual Extruder, EVO, HD Series
GENERAL
Density	1.23 G/CM3
THERMAL
Heat Distortion Temperature (HDT) @ 0.45MPa ISO 75	64 C
Melt Flow (g/10min)	20 (250 C / 2.16 kg)
MECHANICAL
Elongation at Break	21.5%
Tensile Strength	50 MPa
Flexural Modulus	2027 Mpa
Bending Strength	68 Mpa
Impact Strength IZOD	8 KJ/m2
Low moisture absorption	Low

SECTION 4, ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

• • PETG filament can jam in the print head if printed too hot. If the printer is enclosed, it is recommended to keep the enclosure door/top open if possible to prevent filament swelling and to maximize print quality.
  • Methodology of Tests performed by Airwolf 3D: Airwolf 3D tested this material, in its 3d printed form, for the mechanical properties of “Ultimate Strength” and “Elongation at Break” per ISO 527 standards. Specimens were printed on an AXIOM 3D printer with a nozzle orifice size 0.5mm. The specimens were “dog bone” shaped with a size of 75mm x 10mm x 2mm and printed with 90% fill density. Wolfbite adhesive was used to adhere the part to the heated bed during print cycle. The default “Standard” setting in APEX slicing software was used.  
  • Try Wolfbite Original™. This product bonds polypropylene plastic parts to a build plate to allow printing without lifting and to enable smooth release of objects after printing.

Looking for something a little bit stiffer?  Try PETG reinforced with the lightweight rigidity of carbon fiber.

Not sure which filament is better suited for your application?  Take a look at Airwolf 3D’s Filament Properties Table.

Are you ready to start 3D Printing with PETG? Awesome! You can buy some PETG filament here https://airwolf3d.com/shop/petg-filament.

Below is a chart listing the 3D printing filaments we will be discussing over the next 25 Days of Materials.

25 Days of Materials.
Day 1: Nylon.
Day 2: HIPS.
Day 3: Stainless Steel PLA.
Day 4: PC-ABS.

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Download Material List

Did you know that you can 3d print in over 40+ materials?

There are dozens of types of filaments available to you, including harder polymers such as polycarbonate and flexible materials such as TPU. Download this handy list of commonly used materials. This two page reference chart includes the recommended hotend temperature and bed temperature for optimal 3D printing settings of each material.