The theoretical properties of a material are one thing, but the true value of PETG is revealed only in real-world applications. Thanks to its unique combination of strength, toughness, temperature resistance, and ease of printing, it has found its way into workshops, homes, gardens, and even operating rooms. In this final part of our series, we will look at specific examples of PETG’s use, from practical aids to specialized medical instruments. We will show how to get the most out of its transparency, and finally, provide an overview of prices on the Czech market.
Workshop and Home: Prototypes and Functional Parts
This is where PETG truly excels. Its ability to withstand impacts and bending without breaking makes it an ideal material for parts that need to endure. Unlike brittle PLA, which would fail in these applications, PETG provides reliability and long lifespan.
Examples of use:
- Holders and organizers: Tool holders, drawer organizers, clamps, and mounts that are subjected to daily stress.
- Spare parts: Plastic components for home appliances, covers, levers, or gears not exposed to extreme heat.
- 3D printer parts: Many manufacturers, including Prusa Research, use PETG for printing functional parts of their printers precisely for its strength and temperature resistance.
- Functional prototypes: Allows testing of mechanical assemblies and “snap-fit” joints that require a certain degree of flexibility.
Face the Elements: Outdoor and Stressed Applications
Thanks to its good resistance to UV radiation and water, PETG is an excellent choice for items intended for outdoor use. Unlike PLA, which degrades in sun and humidity, and ABS, which becomes brittle due to UV radiation, PETG retains its properties much longer.
Examples of use:
- Garden accessories: Flower pots, plant markers, garden tool holders.
- Sensor and electronics covers: Protective enclosures for outdoor sensors, cameras, or lighting.
- Drone and RC model parts: Components that require good impact resistance in case of falls.
- Sports equipment: Protectors, bicycle bottle holders, and other accessories.
The Art of Transparency: Printing Transparent Prints
One of PETG’s unique properties is its ability to print transparent or translucent objects. Achieving maximum clarity, however, requires specific slicer settings aimed at minimizing light scattering at the transitions between individual layers and extrusion lines.
Slicer settings for maximum transparency
- Nozzle temperature: Increase the temperature to the upper limit recommended by the manufacturer (e.g., 250–255 °C). Higher temperature helps layers fuse better and eliminates microscopic gaps.
- Print speed: Print very slowly (e.g., 20–30 mm/s). Slow extrusion ensures even material deposition.
- Layer height: Use the largest possible layer height (e.g., 0.3 mm for a 0.4 mm nozzle). Fewer layers mean fewer interfaces where light refracts.
- Extrusion Width: Set the extrusion width to a higher value than the nozzle diameter (e.g., 120–150%). This causes the lines to “spread out” more to the sides and better fill the space between them.
- Cooling: Turn off print cooling. Slow cooling again aids better layer fusion.
- Infill: For fully transparent objects, use 100% infill. For hollow objects, such as vases, use “spiral vase mode” with a single thick perimeter.
PETG in Medicine: From Models to Sterilizable Instruments
3D printing has revolutionized medicine, and PETG plays an important role, especially where PLA’s properties are insufficient.
Anatomical models and surgical templates
Based on data from CT or MRI scans, surgeons can print accurate 1:1 models of patients’ bones and organs. These models allow them to better plan complex operations, practice procedures, and thus shorten the time spent in the operating room. PETG is suitable for these purposes due to its dimensional stability and strength.
Sterilization of PETG prints
A key feature that opens doors for PETG into clinical practice is its ability to withstand certain sterilization methods. While PLA deforms at low temperatures and is thus unusable for most sterilization processes, PETG offers more options.
- Steam sterilization (autoclave): Standard autoclaving at 121 °C or 134 °C will deform PETG significantly.
- Low-temperature sterilization: PETG is compatible with low-temperature methods common in hospitals for sensitive instruments. Studies have shown that sterilization using hydrogen peroxide plasma (HPO), which occurs at temperatures up to 55 °C, causes only minimal, clinically negligible deformation of prints.
This compatibility allows printing low-cost, patient-specific surgical templates, drilling guides, and other auxiliary tools from PETG, which can then be genuinely used in the operating room after sterilization.
Price overview on the Czech market: How much does quality cost?
The price of PETG filament varies depending on the manufacturer, quality, color, and special properties. The following table provides an indicative overview of prices for 1 kg spools on the Czech market.
