PETG Grades — Eastman, PCTG, Tinted & UV-Stabilized Options
PETG is less grade-differentiated than filled engineering plastics like PEEK or nylon — in stock-shape form, the base amorphous copolyester polymer accounts for almost all specifications. Differences between grades relate primarily to resin producer, specialty additives (UV stabilizer, anti-static), and color. There are no glass-filled, carbon-filled, or reinforced PETG stock grades in common use.
At a glance:
- Standard clear PETG: Eastman PETG copolyester is the benchmark; SK Chemicals and others produce equivalents
- PCTG: closely related amorphous copolyester; similar properties; sometimes used interchangeably
- UV-stabilized PETG: for outdoor or UV-lamp-exposed applications; available from select sheet suppliers
- Tinted PETG: opaque and translucent colors for display and sign applications
- Anti-static PETG: for applications requiring reduced static charge buildup
Standard Clear PETG (Eastman Copolyester)
Eastman Chemical introduced PETG copolyester (using the CHDM co-monomer modification) and remains the leading resin producer. Eastman's PETG family (designated by trade names like DN011, GN001, and others) is the reference standard that most stock-shape PETG sheet and rod is produced from.
Properties of standard clear PETG:
- Light transmission: >90%; haze: <5%
- Tensile strength: 7,700 psi; flexural modulus: 310,000 psi
- HDT at 264 psi: 155°F (68°C); Tg: ~176°F (80°C)
- FDA 21 CFR 177.1630
When a drawing specifies "PETG" without further qualification, standard clear Eastman-type copolyester is assumed. Equivalent resins from SK Chemicals (SK PETG series) and other producers meet the same physical properties and FDA status.
PCTG (Polycyclohexylene Dimethylene Terephthalate-Glycol)
PCTG is a closely related amorphous copolyester produced by increasing the CHDM content of the PET chain to a higher fraction. The result is a polymer with slightly different refractive index, higher impact resistance, and similar optical clarity. In practice:
| Property | PETG | PCTG |
|---|---|---|
| Impact (notched Izod) | 1.5–2.0 ft·lb/in | ~3.0 ft·lb/in |
| Tensile Strength (psi) | 7,700 | ~7,500 |
| Flexural Modulus (psi) | 310,000 | ~290,000 |
| HDT at 264 psi | 155°F | ~145°F |
| Optical clarity | Excellent | Excellent |
| FDA compliant | Yes | Yes |
PCTG's higher impact resistance makes it preferred for applications subject to frequent physical handling stress. Some display fabricators specify PCTG for point-of-purchase components that will be repeatedly assembled, disassembled, and shipped. Eastman's "Eastar 6763" is the widely specified PCTG reference grade.
In most stock-shape contexts, PETG and PCTG are treated as equivalent by material distributors. If your specification requires one vs the other, confirm with your supplier which resin is stocked.
UV-Stabilized PETG
Standard PETG yellows gradually under UV exposure — both from sunlight and from fluorescent or LED UV sources. This is acceptable for indoor display and guard applications, but outdoor or high-UV-lamp applications require a UV-stabilized grade.
UV-stabilized PETG sheet is produced by adding UV absorbers (typically benzophenone or benzotriazole compounds) to the base resin during extrusion. These absorbers intercept UV photons before they can degrade the polymer backbone. Yellowing resistance is extended to 2–5 years of direct outdoor exposure in UV-stabilized grades, compared to 6–18 months for standard PETG.
Specify UV-stabilized PETG when:
- Outdoor signage, menu boards, or point-of-sale under direct sunlight
- Proximity to UV sterilization lamps in laboratory or food processing equipment
- Extended service life (>2 years) is required for display applications
If long-term outdoor clarity is the primary requirement and cost is secondary, UV-stabilized acrylic typically outperforms UV-stabilized PETG in sustained outdoor service.
Tinted and Colored PETG Sheet
PETG is available in tinted (translucent color) and opaque color sheets for sign, display, and architectural glazing applications. Common options:
- Translucent tints: Smoked/gray, bronze, blue — for architectural and display applications where colored light transmission is desired
- Opaque colors: White, black, and custom colors for display components where opaque panels are needed
- Frosted/matte: Surface-treated or coextruded frosted PETG for diffuse light applications (light panels, display backdrops)
Tinted grades carry the same mechanical and thermal properties as clear PETG. FDA compliance may vary with colored grades — confirm if food contact is required.
Anti-Static PETG
Standard PETG accumulates static charge (triboelectric effect) during handling and fabrication, which attracts dust and can cause problems in cleanroom or electronics environments. Anti-static PETG is available as:
- Surface-treated sheet: Anti-static coating applied to standard PETG; provides temporary anti-static performance that diminishes with cleaning
- Permanently anti-static PETG: Compounded with ionic or carbon-based anti-static additive; provides durable anti-static performance; available from specialty sheet suppliers
For semiconductor or electronics display applications where static accumulation is an issue, permanently anti-static PETG is the appropriate specification.
Grade Selection Decision Guide
- Standard clear display or guard application, indoor → Standard clear PETG
- Higher impact handling requirement → PCTG (if available)
- Outdoor or UV-lamp exposure → UV-stabilized PETG
- Colored or translucent display panel → Tinted PETG
- Cleanroom or electronics environment → Anti-static PETG
- Food packaging or food contact → Standard clear PETG, confirm FDA COC
- High temperature (>140°F) → Do not use PETG — specify polycarbonate
For complete grade comparison and application matching, see PETG applications.
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