PETG Comparisons — vs Acrylic, Polycarbonate & PET

PETG competes directly with acrylic and polycarbonate in the clear plastic market, and is frequently confused with bearing-grade PET (Ertalyte). Each comparison resolves differently depending on the application: PETG wins for impact-critical fabrication and thermoforming; acrylic wins for scratch resistance and outdoor UV durability; polycarbonate wins for high-impact and high-temperature applications.

At a glance:

• PETG vs acrylic: PETG is tougher, less brittle, easier to thermoform; acrylic is clearer and scratch-resistant
• PETG vs polycarbonate: PC is stronger and withstands more heat; PETG is cheaper, bonds easier, resists more chemicals
• PETG ≠ PET: PET-P (Ertalyte) is a semi-crystalline bearing material; PETG is amorphous and clear — not interchangeable

PETG vs Acrylic (PMMA)

The most common comparison in the display and fabrication market.

Choose PETG when:

• The part will be drilled, routed, or assembled — PETG's toughness prevents cracking at holes and fasteners that plagues acrylic
• Thermoforming is required and lower forming temperatures are needed
• Chemical exposure (cleaning solvents, mild acids) is present — PETG resists a wider range than acrylic
• Impact from handling or user contact is expected

Choose acrylic when:

• Maximum optical clarity is required (acrylic has slightly better transmission and lower haze)
• Scratch resistance is a primary requirement (acrylic is harder, more scratch-resistant than PETG)
• Outdoor UV exposure is prolonged — UV-stabilized acrylic outperforms PETG outdoors
• The application is structural (acrylic is stiffer and stronger in tension)

See the full PETG vs acrylic comparison.

PETG vs Polycarbonate

Polycarbonate is the high-performance clear plastic. PETG is the cost-effective mid-range option.

Choose PETG when:

• Cost is a factor and extreme impact is not required
• Chemical resistance to solvents and cleaning agents is important — PC is attacked by many common solvents; PETG resists most of them
• Scratch resistance matters — PETG scratches less readily than polycarbonate
• Solvent bonding is preferred — PETG is far easier to solvent-cement than polycarbonate
• Indoor use only at temperatures below 140°F

Choose polycarbonate when:

• Impact resistance is the primary requirement (PC is 6–10× more impact resistant than PETG)
• Higher operating temperature is needed (PC is rated to 240°F continuous vs 140°F for PETG)
• Ballistic or blast resistance is required
• The application is safety-critical and requires certifiable impact performance

See the full PETG vs polycarbonate comparison.

PETG vs PET (Ertalyte) — The Most Important Distinction

These are NOT alternatives — they serve completely different application domains.

Specifying PETG in place of Ertalyte for a bearing application will result in part failure. Specifying Ertalyte in a display or thermoforming application gives you an opaque part that cannot be thermoformed. The materials share a regulatory citation but are otherwise unrelated for engineering purposes.

The full technical explanation is at PET vs PETG.

More related guides

Applications

• Machine Guards & Safety Shields
• POP Displays & Signage

Compare to other materials

• PET vs. PETG
• PETG vs. Acrylic
• PETG vs. Polycarbonate

Frequently asked questions — PETG FAQ