PCTG
PCTG is an amorphous, glass-clear copolyester in which part of the ethylene glycol is replaced by CHDM, giving tougher and more chemically resistant parts than PETG.
Reference datasheet — PCTG is not in the instant-quote catalog. Upload your part and an engineer will quote it in this grade or suggest the closest stocked equivalent.
PCTG grades and fills
PCTG is supplied in one standard condition, COL.
Supply forms, finishes and certifications
Ways PCTG is supplied — form, process route, surface or paperwork — without a datasheet of their own. The property values above apply.
| Option | What it is | Type |
|---|---|---|
EXT | Extrusion / sheet grade | Supply form |
FG | Food-contact grade | Certification |
MED | Medical grade | Certification |
UV | UV-stabilized / weatherable grade | Grade option |
NATDefault | Unfilled / Natural clear | Standard supply |
What is PCTG?
PCTG is an amorphous, glass-clear copolyester in which part of the ethylene glycol is replaced by CHDM, giving tougher and more chemically resistant parts than PETG. Supplied natural, extrusion, medical, food-grade, UV-stabilized and colored, it is used for thick-wall transparent moldings, sheet and thermoformed parts, with 45 MPa tensile strength and 330% elongation. Being amorphous, it is limited in service temperature and unsuitable for autoclave or high-heat duty; PETG is the lower-cost alternative and PC the stiffer, higher-temperature one. PCTG has a density of 1.23 g/cm³ (0.0444 lb/in³), heavier than 62% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 88°C (190 °F). PCTG has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 58% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 330% and the elastic modulus is 1.6 GPa (0.232 Msi).
What is PCTG used for?
- medical device housings
- point-of-purchase displays
- food-contact containers
- cosmetic packaging
Advantages
- Forms and bends easily — 90/100, better than 91% of polymer grades
- Readily welded — 85/100, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Polishes to a fine finish — 80/100, better than 89% of polymer grades
- Ductile — tolerates forming and impact — 330%, better than 83% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.4%, better than 82% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited service temperature — 65°C (149 °F), worse than 83% of polymer grades
PCTG properties
Typical room-temperature values; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PCTG has a density of 1.23 g/cm³ (0.0444 lb/in³), heavier than 62% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 88°C (190 °F).
Mechanical11
PCTG has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 58% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 330% and the elastic modulus is 1.6 GPa (0.232 Msi).
Thermal11
PCTG is rated for continuous service to 65°C (149 °F). It conducts heat at 0.19 W/m·K (0.11 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 68% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 68 µm/m·K (37.8 µin/in·°F).
Electrical6
PCTG is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 16 kV/mm (406.4 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (78/100), worse than 61% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PCTG takes about 84 MJ of energy and emits 3.6 kg of CO₂ — less than 81% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability8
PCTG's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Common Calculations5
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PCTG is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PCTG
Is PCTG easy to machine?
Machines like PETG — sharp, polished, high-rake tools, high spindle speed with modest feed and air/mist cooling; avoid heat build-up which smears the cut and induces stress crazing, and anneal (~70 °C) before solvent contact.
Can PCTG be welded?
Excellent ultrasonic, hot-plate, vibration, RF and solvent (methylene-chloride/cyclohexanone) bonding; also adhesive-bonds well with UV-cure acrylics.
Can PCTG be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 4–6 h at 65–70 °C to <0.04% moisture, mold at 235–265 °C melt / 10–40 °C tool with moderate injection speed; wide thermoforming window at 130–160 °C sheet temperature with low forming forces.
PCTG chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| terephthalic acid / DMT (diacid unit)mol% of repeat unit (acid component) | 48 – 50 | 50 |
| 1,4-cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM)mol% of the glycol component; >50% CHDM distinguishes PCTG from PETG | 50 – 80 | 62 |
| ethylene glycolbalance of glycol component | ≥ 20 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PCTG?
Reproduces high-gloss or textured tool surfaces directly; can be vapor/flame polished with care, hard-coated for scratch resistance, pad-printed, hot-stamped or metallized after a suitable primer.
How much does PCTG cost?
PCTG is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PCTG — frequently asked
What is PCTG used for?
PCTG is typically used for medical device housings, point-of-purchase displays, food-contact containers and cosmetic packaging. In short: tougher than PETG; clear and solvent bondable; wide thermoforming window.
What is the yield strength of PCTG?
PCTG has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) — weaker than 58% of polymer grades.
Is PCTG easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades). Machines like PETG — sharp, polished, high-rake tools, high spindle speed with modest feed and air/mist cooling; avoid heat build-up which smears the cut and induces stress crazing, and anneal (~70 °C) before solvent contact.
Can PCTG be welded?
Yes — weldability is rated excellent (85/100). Excellent ultrasonic, hot-plate, vibration, RF and solvent (methylene-chloride/cyclohexanone) bonding; also adhesive-bonds well with UV-cure acrylics.
What surface finishes work on PCTG?
Reproduces high-gloss or textured tool surfaces directly; can be vapor/flame polished with care, hard-coated for scratch resistance, pad-printed, hot-stamped or metallized after a suitable primer.
Can PCTG be formed, bent or molded?
Dry 4–6 h at 65–70 °C to <0.04% moisture, mold at 235–265 °C melt / 10–40 °C tool with moderate injection speed; wide thermoforming window at 130–160 °C sheet temperature with low forming forces.
What is the maximum service temperature of PCTG?
PCTG is rated for continuous use to about 65°C (149 °F), and briefly to 85°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
How much does PCTG cost?
PCTG is a standard-cost polymer ($$), cheaper than about 71% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Sources
- Eastar Copolyester DN001/DN003 (PCTG) technical data sheets — Eastman Chemical (2023)
- CAMPUS / UL Prospector copolyester (PCTG, PETG) datasheets — CAMPUS Consortium / UL Solutions (2024)
- ASTM D638 / D256 / D648 / D1003 test methods for plastics — ASTM International (2022)
- ASM Engineered Materials Handbook Vol. 2 — Engineering Plastics — ASM International (1988)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.