PCTG COL
Grade
COL = pre-colored / tinted transparent and opaque compounds
Factory-colored PCTG masterbatch compounds for consistent transparent tints or opaque cosmetic colors without masterbatch dosing.
Values for the COL condition
What is PCTG COL?
PCTG COL is PCTG in the COL grade — factory-colored PCTG masterbatch compounds for consistent transparent tints or opaque cosmetic colors without masterbatch dosing. PCTG COL has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) — weaker than 58% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 330% and the elastic modulus is 1.6 GPa (0.232 Msi). PCTG COL 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).
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 COL properties
Typical room-temperature values for PCTG COL; 3 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PCTG reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical6
PCTG COL 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 COL has a yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 44 MPa (6.38 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 COL 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 COL 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 COL 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 COL's machinability is good (55/100, worse than 64% of polymer grades); weldability excellent (85/100); formability excellent (90/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PCTG COL
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.
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.
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) |
PCTG COL — frequently asked
What is PCTG COL used for?
PCTG COL 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 COL?
PCTG COL has a typical yield strength of 45 MPa (6.53 ksi) and a tensile strength of 44 MPa (6.38 ksi) — weaker than 58% of polymer grades.
Is PCTG COL 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 COL 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 COL?
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 COL 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 COL?
PCTG COL 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.
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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.