3D Printed Petg

Petg is a practical material choice when you need the right balance of performance, finish, and cost for functional parts.

PETG – Tough, UV‑Resistant 3D Printing for Outdoor and Functional Parts

PETG is one of those materials that just ticks a lot of boxes. It’s strong, flexible, looks good straight off the printer, and holds up really well outdoors. If you’re trying to decide between ABS and something a bit more durable long-term — especially if UV exposure is a concern — I’ll often point you toward PETG.

I’ve used PETG for all sorts of jobs where ABS just wasn’t going to last. Outdoor enclosures, brackets, replacement parts for garden machinery — anywhere that sits in the sun or faces the weather. With PETG, you get strength like ABS but it won’t go brittle after a couple of years.

Key Technical Specifications (Typical Values)

• Tensile strength: 45–55 MPa • Elongation at break: 20–30% • Heat deflection temperature: 70–80°C • Impact resistance: Moderate to high • UV resistance: Very good • Chemical resistance: Good (alkalis, acids, oils) • Density: ~1.27 g/cm³ • Surface finish: Natural gloss, smooth layers

It’s a great all-rounder. Not too brittle, not too soft. And with a bit of tweaking in the print settings, it produces solid, dependable results.

Why I Recommend PETG for Engineers

Engineers like PETG because it just works — especially when you’re after: • Something with more give than PLA • Better durability than ABS under sunlight • Smooth finishes without a lot of sanding • No major shrinkage or warping

It’s forgiving on most printers, holds its shape, and gives you the kind of mechanical performance that works well for real‑world, functional parts.

Where PETG Performs Best

I’ve used PETG in more jobs than I can count — and these are some of the most common applications: • Outdoor-use brackets and enclosures • Transparent or semi-clear parts • Replacement parts for tools and garden equipment • Signage clips and mounting gear • Jigs and fixtures for short production runs • Low-friction components with minimal wear

If someone says, “Can you make this part to last in a hot, sunny environment?”, I already know ABS won’t cut it — PETG is the answer.

What to Consider When Printing with PETG

Now, it’s not without its quirks — here’s what we look out for: • PETG loves to string — we optimise retraction settings to manage that • Bed adhesion is great, but it can fuse too well — we use glue or sheets to keep removal easy • It needs a bit of heat (usually 230–250°C), and a heated bed (75–85°C) • Cooling matters — too much and you lose strength, too little and surfaces suffer

We tune every job depending on what the part’s actually doing. If it’s structural, we’ll up the infill and increase walls. If it’s just cosmetic or non-load-bearing, we can go lighter and faster to save cost.

For Buyers and Project Managers

PETG offers a solid middle ground for price vs performance. Here’s why buyers like it: • No tooling costs, fast turnaround • Good weather resistance without post-processing • Suitable for batch production or one-offs • Available in a range of colours, including clear

It’s not as brittle as PLA, not as finicky as ABS, and doesn’t need industrial-level machines to get right. That makes it ideal for prototypes, one-off custom parts, or as a stand-in for injection moulded components during early development.

Why Use PETG

One job that comes to mind — customer needed garden tool parts that kept cracking after a season. Originally made in ABS, but sun exposure killed it. I told them straight: "ABS isn’t your mate here. Let me run this in PETG, and you won’t have to come back next summer." We redesigned the part, printed it in PETG, and it’s still going strong today. Saved them money and hassle — and that’s what it’s about.

PETG is just one of those materials that we trust when we know the part is going to be used — not just looked at.

FAQs