PCTG vs PETG
Polymer · grade comparison
PCTG and PETG are both polymer grades. PETG is the stronger of the two: yield strength 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for PCTG, about 11% more; tensile strength follows at 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) vs 45 MPa (6.53 ksi). In exchange, PCTG is the more ductile: elongation 330% versus 120% for PETG. PCTG is lighter (1.23 g/cm³ vs 1.27 g/cm³ for PETG) and PETG is stiffer (2.1 GPa vs 1.6 GPa). On the shop floor, PETG machines more easily (65 vs 55 out of 100) and PETG sits in a lower cost tier (budget, $) than PCTG (standard, $$).
PCTGChoose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
PETGChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is machined in volume.
PCTG 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
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell R
Shear Modulus
Same in both: Poisson's Ratio 0.4
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Refractive Index
Light Transmission
Same in both: Water Absorption (Saturation) 0.5%
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)
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 · Limiting Oxygen Index 23%
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · Dielectric Strength 16 kV/mm406 V/mil · Dissipation Factor (1 MHz) 0.02 · 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.)
Same in both: Mold Temperature (typ.) 25°C77 °F
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Embodied Energy (primary production) 84 MJ/kg36,114 BTU/lb · Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Modulus of Resilience
Same in both: 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 | PCTG | PETG |
|---|---|---|
| CNC machining | — | Yes |
| Sheet metal | — | Yes |
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| 3D printing | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | Unfilled |
| Relative cost | $$ Standard | $ 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 |
PCTG vs PETG — frequently asked
Is PETG stronger than PCTG?
Yes. PETG has a typical yield strength of 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) against 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) for PCTG — about 11% more. Tensile strength is 50 MPa (7.25 ksi) vs 45 MPa (6.53 ksi).
Which is cheaper, PCTG or PETG?
PETG is the lower-cost material: it sits in the budget tier ($) while PCTG is standard ($$). 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, PCTG or PETG?
PETG, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 65/100 against 55/100 for PCTG; for welding the order is PCTG first (excellent, 85/100) then PETG (very good, 80/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PCTG 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.