PCTA vs PETG
Polymer · grade comparison
PCTA and PETG are both polymer grades. Both yield at about 49 MPa — strength does not separate them. PCTA is the more ductile: elongation 250% versus 120% for PETG. PCTA is lighter (1.2 g/cm³ vs 1.27 g/cm³ for PETG). On the shop floor, PETG sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than PCTA (premium, $$$).
PCTAChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
PETGChoose it when cost is the deciding factor.
PCTA 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.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Bulk Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Modulus
Flexural Modulus
Shear Strength
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Rockwell R
Same in both: Tensile Strength (Ultimate) 50 MPa7.3 ksi · Compressive Strength 60 MPa8.7 ksi · Flexural Strength 70 MPa10.2 ksi · Hardness, Shore D 78 Shore D
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Refractive Index
Same in both: Water Absorption (24 h) 0.13% · Water Absorption (Saturation) 0.5% · Light Transmission 89%
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
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 · Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa 70°C158 °F · Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa 64°C147 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
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
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Same in both: Mold Shrinkage 0.35% · Mold Temperature (typ.) 25°C77 °F
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 | PCTA | PETG |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Unfilled |
| Relative cost | $$$ Premium | $ 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 |
PCTA vs PETG — frequently asked
What is the difference between PCTA and PETG?
PCTA and PETG are both polymer grades. Both yield at about 49 MPa — strength does not separate them. PCTA is the more ductile: elongation 250% versus 120% for PETG.
Which is cheaper, PCTA or PETG?
PETG is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while PCTA is premium ($$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which welds better, PCTA or PETG?
PCTA. Its weldability rates excellent (85/100) against very good (80/100) for PETG.
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PCTA 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.