Materials / Compare
Plastic PETG vs. Plastic PLA
Compare Plastic PETG vs. Plastic PLA 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 | 46.2MPasourcetypical | 52.5MPasourcetypical14% stronger |
| Ultimate tensile strength | 46.2MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield) | 52.5MPasourcetypical, peak stress (= stress at yield)14% stronger |
| Flexural strength | 78.9MPasourcetypical | 96.8MPasourcetypical23% stronger in bending |
| Elongation at break | 7.6%sourcetypical | 7.8%sourcetypical |
| Young's modulus (stiffness) | 1.94GPasourcetypical | 3.25GPasourcetypical1.68x stiffer |
| Density | 1,270kg/m³sourcetypical | 1,240kg/m³sourcetypical |
| Strength to weight | 36.4kN·m/kg | 42.3kN·m/kg16% higher |
| Stiffness to weight | 1.53MN·m/kg | 2.62MN·m/kg1.72x higher |
| Poisson's ratio | not sourced | not sourced |
| Shear modulus | not sourced | not sourced |
| Bulk modulus | not sourced | not sourced |
| Speed of sound | 1,236m/s | 1,619m/s |
| Thermal | ||
| Thermal conductivity | 0.21W/m·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typical | 0.13W/m·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C |
| Thermal expansion | 51µm/m·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typical | not sourced |
| 100 mm part over a 50 °C swing | 255µm growth | not sourced |
| Specific heat | 1,300J/kg·Ksourcebase material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), DSC at 60 °C (lowest temperature listed) | 1,200J/kg·Ksourcebase material: NatureWorks Ingeo biopolymer, amorphous sheet, 25 °C |
| Heats up and cools (diffusivity) | 0.127mm²/s46% faster | 0.0874mm²/s |
| Thermal shock resistance | not sourced | not sourced |
| Melting point | not sourced | 152°Csourcetypical |
| Glass transition | 77.4°Csourcetypical | 59.1°Csourcetypical |
| Max service temperature | 76.2°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens)30% hotter | 58.8°CsourceHDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens) |
| Values for | 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. | Ultimaker PLA, 3D-printed specimens, XY (flat) orientation; 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 dated April 20, 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 PETG and Plastic PLA are 3D printed: their properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Is Plastic PETG stronger than Plastic PLA?
Plastic PLA is stronger: its yield strength is 52.5 MPa against 46.2 MPa for Plastic PETG (14%).
Which is lighter, Plastic PETG or Plastic PLA?
Plastic PLA is lighter: 1,240 kg/m³ against 1,270 kg/m³ for Plastic PETG.
Which is stiffer, Plastic PETG or Plastic PLA?
Plastic PLA is stiffer: Young's modulus 3.25 GPa against 1.94 GPa for Plastic PETG, so the same part in Plastic PLA deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PETG or Plastic PLA?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic PLA 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 | Plastic PETG | Plastic PLA |
|---|---|---|
| Stiff rod or tie (tension) | 1.72x heavier | lighter |
| Stiff beam (bending) | 33% heavier | lighter |
| Stiff panel or plate | 22% heavier | lighter |
| Strong rod or tie | 16% heavier | lighter |
| Strong beam | 12% heavier | lighter |
| Strong panel or plate | 9% heavier | lighter |
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 handles higher temperatures, Plastic PETG or Plastic PLA?
Plastic PETG does: 76.2 °C against 58.8 °C for Plastic PLA, both HDT 0.455 MPa (printed specimens).
Which conducts heat better, Plastic PETG or Plastic PLA?
Plastic PETG conducts heat better: 0.21 W/m·K against 0.13 W/m·K for Plastic PLA.