Polyethylene terephthalate glycol (PETG )

Polyethylene terephthalate glycol commonly known as PETG or PET-G is a rigid co-polyester thermoplastic material that provides significant chemical resistance, durability, and excellent formability for manufacturing. PETG is an amorphous plastic, which means that the molecular chains are not aligned or ordered in the material.

PETG is made from PET and glycol. PET supply the rigidity and glycol is used to lower the brittle effect of PET. PETG is produced in the same way as PVC and has properties somewhat similar to this one: its maximum temperature and its thermoformability in particular.

Properties

PETG offers excellent clarity, good impact strength, excellent thermoforming and fabrication characteristics, and excellent resistance to chemicals. It can be used whenever printability, toughness, and ease of fabrication and chemical resistance are required. The material is tougher than acrylic and impact-modified acrylic, providing fabricators with durable, long-lasting parts. PETG’s superior thermoforming characteristics allow it to be cold bend without showing any stress whitening, making it optimal for retail display cases and store fixtures among many other applications.

PETG can be sterilized and UV protected, easily vacuumed and pressure-formed as well as heat-bent thanks to its low forming temperatures. This makes it exceptionally popular for consumer and commercial applications that involve 3D printing, or other heat-forming manufacturing techniques. Additionally, PETG is well-suited for fabrication techniques like die cutting, routing, and bending.

PETG and PET is 100% recyclable and is more often used for thermoforming applications.

Benefits of PETG Plastic

PETG is strong and cost-effective when compared to either acrylic PMMA or polycarbonate PC. Its unique characteristics make it preferable for impact-resistant glazing and high strength display units. Suitable for digital printing, PETG lends itself to product materials, displays, and signage.

In general, PETG is a food-safe plastic that’s commonly used for food containers and bottles for liquid beverages.

PETG’s damage resistance is far higher than that of acrylic, to the point that it rivals the impact resistance of polycarbonate. However, PETG fabricates easily, making it an easy material for both practitioners and professional fabricators.

Benefits of processing PETG

• Dimensional heat stability
• Does not bleach when cold bent up to 2.5mm.
• Easily weldable, like PVC.
• Surface scratches are easily removed with a heat gun.
• Unlike Polycarbonate, it can be cut by laser.
• Items manufactured with this product should not be exposed to continuous use above 60ºC, depending on the applications.
• The same utensils used for diamond polishing of Methacrylate are also used to polish PETG plates.
• Although PETG is naturally clear, it takes colour easily during processing.
• It can be injection molded into a variety of shapes, or extruded into sheets.

Applications

Thanks to its easy thermoforming and chemical resistance PETG can be used in a wide variety of markets and in a number of different applications. It is commonly used in single use and reusable drinking bottles, cooking oil containers, and FDA-compliant food storage containers. However, PETG is also found across the medical field; its rigid structure allows it to survive harsh sterilization processes, making it a perfect material to be used in medical implants, as well as pharmaceutical and medical device packaging. PETG is used where a product free from chlorine and compatible with environmental requirements is sought.

PETG is an excellent material to use in modern 3D printers, and is quickly becoming a favourite among the community as it becomes more accessible. With the correct print settings, PETG filament prints easily, has excellent layer adhesion, and is odourless while it prints. It also has very low shrinkage properties, which enables larger prints than materials like PLA or ABS. This allows it to print objects that can sustain high temperature, food-safe applications, and exceptional impact.

Diving deeper, PETG plastic is often the material of choice for point-of-sale stands, for the visual merchandising, retail display and graphic arts markets. Since it’s easy to manufacture in a wide range of shapes and colours, architectural design often turn to PETG material for eye-catching signage that attracts customers for display units, architectural fixtures and accessories, and light fixtures 

The added benefit of easy printing helps for graphic arts – for all primary printing processes; works well for clear/translucent print projects

Difference between PET and PETG?

PET, or Polyethylene terephthalate, is a combination of two monomers. PETG is of the same hemical composition as PET but with the addition of glycol. With just this one addition, the chemical composition is completely changed, creating a whole new plastic.

The addition of glycol to create PETG removes the hazing effect seen during heating and also prevents an undesirable crystallization effect that causes standard PET to become brittle.

PETG is less brittle and more pliable than its PET counterpart, making it ideal for bottles. It also has better shock resistance and is better suited to higher temperatures.

Additionally, the inclusion of glycol in this plastic will transform the outer walls of a bottle into a softer and more pliable material, making it easier and more comfortable to grip. Despite these advantages, this softer outer wall is easier to scratch, more susceptible to damaging UV light, and cannot be autoclaved. All things considered, these drawbacks are relatively minor when compared to PETG’s superior heat handling, shock resistance, and comfortable grip.

Arpadis is one of the largest chemical distributor in Europe.

Arpadis is handling the storage, transport, export & import formalities of clear PETG sheets globally.