Materials / Compare
Plastic ABS vs. Plastic PETG
Compare Plastic ABS vs. Plastic PETG strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.
| Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser | Open in LessCAD | Open in LessCAD |
|---|---|---|
| Mechanical | ||
| Yield strength | 38.1MPasourcetypical | 46.2MPasourcetypical21% stronger |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 38.1MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) | 46.2MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)21% stronger |
| Flexural strength | 61.1MPasourcetypical | 78.9MPasourcetypical29% stronger in bending |
| Elongation at break | 4.6%sourcetypical | 7.6%sourcetypical1.65x more ductile |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 1.96GPasourcetypical | 1.94GPasourcetypical |
| Density | 1,100kg/m³sourcetypical15% lighter | 1,270kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 34.6kN·m/kg | 36.4kN·m/kg5% higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 1.78MN·m/kg17% higher | 1.53MN·m/kg |
| Poisson's ratio | 0.39sourcebase material: ABS family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1) | not sourced |
| Shear modulus | 0.706GPa | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | 2.97GPa | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 1,336m/s | 1,236m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.17W/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, typical | 0.21W/m·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typical |
| Thermal expansion | 80–110µm/m·Ksourcebase material: INEOS Styrolution Terluran GP-22 injection-molding ABS, range | 51µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typical |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 475µm growth | 255µm growth1.86x less |
| Specific heat | not sourced | 1,300J/kg·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), DSC at 60 °C (lowest temperature listed) |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | not sourced | 0.127mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | 21.2W/m | not sourced |
| Glass transition | 101°Csourcetypical | 77.4°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | 86.6°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)14% hotter | 76.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) |
| Values for | Ultimaker ABS, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS v5.00, April 20, 2022. | Ultimaker PETG, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat); Ultimaker S5 Pro, engineering intent profile, 0.15 mm layer height, AA 0.4 print core, 100% infill, Cura 4.9, printed one-at-a-time, conditioned >=24 h at room temperature. TDS v1.00, April 29, 2022. |
Every value links to the document that states it. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Plastic ABS and Plastic PETG are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Plastic ABS stronger than Plastic PETG?
Plastic PETG is stronger: its yield strength is 46.2 MPa against 38.1 MPa for Plastic ABS (21%).
Which is lighter, Plastic ABS or Plastic PETG?
Plastic ABS is lighter: 1,100 kg/m³ against 1,270 kg/m³ for Plastic PETG.
Which is stiffer, Plastic ABS or Plastic PETG?
Plastic ABS is stiffer: Young's modulus 1.96 GPa against 1.94 GPa for Plastic PETG, so the same part in Plastic ABS deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic ABS or Plastic PETG?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic ABS is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong beam, strong panel or plate; Plastic PETG is lighter for a strong rod or tie.
| Part that must be | Plastic ABS | Plastic PETG |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | lighter | 17% heavier |
| Stiff beam (bending) | lighter | 16% heavier |
| Stiff panel or plate | lighter | 16% heavier |
| Strong rod or tie | 5% heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | lighter | 2% heavier |
| Strong panel or plate | lighter | 5% heavier |
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which is more ductile, Plastic ABS or Plastic PETG?
Plastic PETG stretches further before it breaks: 7.6% elongation at break against 4.6% for Plastic ABS.
Which handles higher temperatures, Plastic ABS or Plastic PETG?
Plastic ABS does: 86.6 °C against 76.2 °C for Plastic PETG, both HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens).
Which conducts heat better, Plastic ABS or Plastic PETG?
Plastic PETG conducts heat better: 0.21 W/m·K against 0.17 W/m·K for Plastic ABS.
Which expands less with temperature?
Plastic PETG expands less: 51 µm/m·K against 95 µm/m·K for Plastic ABS.