FDM Polycarbonate vs. Plastic PETG

Compare FDM Polycarbonate vs. Plastic PETG strength, stiffness, weight and thermal properties.

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Mechanical
Try it on a partA bracket to run stress or thermal on, free in your browser	Open in LessCAD	Open in LessCAD
Yield strength	53.3MPasourcetypical15% stronger	46.2MPasourcetypical
Ultimate tensile strength	53.3MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)15% stronger	46.2MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)
Flexural strength	89.4MPasourcetypical13% stronger in bending	78.9MPasourcetypical
Elongation at break	9.2%sourcetypical21% more ductile	7.6%sourcetypical
Young's modulus (stiffness)	2.39GPasourcetypical23% stiffer	1.94GPasourcetypical
Density	1,180–1,200kg/m³sourcerange	1,270kg/m³sourcetypical
Strength to weight	44.8kN·m/kg23% higher	36.4kN·m/kg
Stiffness to weight	2.01MN·m/kg32% higher	1.53MN·m/kg
Poisson's ratio	0.38sourcebase material: polycarbonate family typical (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)	not sourced
Shear modulus	0.867GPa	not sourced
Bulk modulus	3.33GPa	not sourced
Speed of sound	1,418m/s	1,236m/s
Thermal
Thermal conductivity	0.2W/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, through-plane, 23 °C	0.21W/m·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typical
Thermal expansion	65µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Covestro Makrolon 2405 injection-molding PC, typical, 23-55 °C, parallel	51µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typical
100 mm part over a 50 °C swing	325µm growth	255µm growth27% 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	42.5W/m	not sourced
Glass transition	108°Csourcetypical	77.4°Csourcetypical
Max service temperature	105°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)37% hotter	76.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)
Values for	Ultimaker PC, 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 (file 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.

FDM Polycarbonate and Plastic PETG are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.

Questions

Is FDM Polycarbonate stronger than Plastic PETG?

FDM Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 53.3 MPa against 46.2 MPa for Plastic PETG (15%).

Which is lighter, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic PETG?

FDM Polycarbonate is lighter: 1,190 kg/m³ against 1,270 kg/m³ for Plastic PETG.

Which is stiffer, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic PETG?

FDM Polycarbonate is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.39 GPa against 1.94 GPa for Plastic PETG, so the same part in FDM Polycarbonate deflects less under the same load.

Which is lighter for the same job, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic PETG?

For the same stiffness or strength: FDM Polycarbonate is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.

Part that must be	FDM Polycarbonate	Plastic PETG
Stiff rod or tie (tension)	lighter	32% heavier
Stiff beam (bending)	lighter	19% heavier
Stiff panel or plate	lighter	14% heavier
Strong rod or tie	lighter	23% heavier
Strong beam	lighter	17% heavier
Strong panel or plate	lighter	15% 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, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic PETG?

FDM Polycarbonate stretches further before it breaks: 9.2% elongation at break against 7.6% for Plastic PETG.

Which handles higher temperatures, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic PETG?

FDM Polycarbonate does: 105 °C against 76.2 °C for Plastic PETG, both HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens).

Which conducts heat better, FDM Polycarbonate or Plastic PETG?

Plastic PETG conducts heat better: 0.21 W/m·K against 0.2 W/m·K for FDM Polycarbonate.

Which expands less with temperature?

Plastic PETG expands less: 51 µm/m·K against 65 µm/m·K for FDM Polycarbonate.

Among 59 materials

Stiffness against density

Strength against density