PCT vs PETG
Polymer · grade comparison
PCT and PETG are both polymer grades. PCT is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) against 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) for PETG, about 10% more. In exchange, PETG is the more ductile: elongation 120% versus 30% for PCT. PCT is lighter (1.23 g/cm³ vs 1.27 g/cm³ for PETG) and PCT runs hotter in service (130°C vs 63°C continuous). On the shop floor, PETG machines more easily (65 vs 55 out of 100), PETG welds better (very good vs good), and PETG sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than PCT (high, $$$$).
PCTChoose it when strength drives the design, or when weight is the constraint.
PETGChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when the part is machined in volume.
PCT vs PETG: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell R
Shear Modulus
Hardness, Shore D
Same in both: Elastic (Young's) Modulus 2.1 GPa0.3 Msi · Poisson's Ratio 0.4
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C) 68 µm/m·K37.8 µin/in·°F · Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 23%
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Volume Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm · Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Melt Flow Rate
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: Specific Stiffness (E / density) 1.7 MN·m/kg · Thermal Diffusivity 0.1 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | PCT | PETG |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Unfilled |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $ Budget |
| Min. machined wall | — | 0.5 mm |
| Best machined surface | — | Ra 0.8 µm |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | — | Yes |
| Conductive Coating | — | Yes |
| Dyeing (Nylon) | — | Yes |
| EMI Shielding Coating | — | Yes |
| Painting | — | Yes |
| Primer Coating | — | Yes |
| Soft Touch Coating | — | Yes |
| Spray Painting | — | Yes |
| Tinted Coating | — | Yes |
| UV Coating | — | Yes |
| Vacuum Metallization | — | Yes |
| Waterproof Coating | — | Yes |
PCT vs PETG — frequently asked
Is PCT stronger than PETG?
Yes. PCT has a typical tensile strength of 55 MPa (7.98 ksi) against 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) for PETG — about 10% more.
Which is cheaper, PCT or PETG?
PETG is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while PCT is high ($$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, PCT or PETG?
PETG, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 65/100 against 55/100 for PCT; for welding the order is PETG first (very good, 80/100) then PCT (good, 60/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PCT and PETG side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.