PETG vs ABS
PETG and ABS are two of the most common 3D-printing and fabrication plastics, and they trade off in distinct ways. PETG is a tough, chemically resistant polyester that prints easily with minimal warping and resists cracking. ABS is the classic styrenic for housings and prototypes — easy to machine, glue and vapor-smooth — but it warps in printing and has lower chemical resistance.
The verdict
Choose PETG for parts needing toughness, chemical resistance and easy, low-warp 3D printing — guards, brackets and containers. Choose ABS when you need higher heat tolerance (~80°C nominal vs PETG's ~65°C), easy machining and gluing, or acetone vapor-smoothing for housings and prototypes.
Side-by-side data
| Property | PETG | ABS |
|---|---|---|
| Category | Engineering Plastic | Plastic |
| Density (g/cm³) | 1.27 | 1.05 |
| Tensile strength (MPa) | 50 | 40 |
| Yield strength (MPa) | 48 | 40 |
| Elongation (%) | 120 | 10 |
| Hardness | R108 | R105 |
| Max service temp (°C) | 65 | 80 |
| Machinability | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Corrosion resistance | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Relative cost | ●●●●● | ●●●●● |
| Thermal cond. (W/m·K) | 0.2 | 0.17 |
| Typically used for | Clear guards & 3D-printed parts | Prototypes, housings & consumer parts |
Which should you choose?
Choose PETG when…
- You want easy, low-warp 3D printing with strong layer adhesion
- Toughness and crack resistance matter — PETG's ~120% elongation vs ABS's ~10%
- Top chemical/moisture resistance (corrosion 5 vs 4.5) is needed
- The part is a clear guard, container or bracket
- Food-contact-adjacent or moisture-exposed service is involved
- You want fewer brittle failures than ABS in handling
Choose ABS when…
- Higher heat tolerance is needed — ~80°C nominal versus PETG's ~65°C
- Parts must be machined, glued with solvent cement, or acetone vapor-smoothed
- The part is a rigid housing, enclosure or functional prototype
- Slightly higher stiffness/tensile balance suits the design
- Post-processing (sanding, painting, plating) is part of the workflow
- Lower-cost, widely understood styrenic behavior is preferred
Key differences that matter
- ABS tolerates more heat (~80°C nominal) than PETG (~65°C) — ABS wins where parts run warm.
- PETG is far tougher (~120% elongation vs ~10%) and resists cracking and impact better.
- PETG has higher chemical and moisture resistance (corrosion 5 vs 4.5); ABS is more solvent-sensitive — which is also why ABS glues and vapor-smooths with acetone.
- PETG prints with little warping; ABS warps and often needs an enclosure and heated bed.
- Both cost the same (1.5) and both print, mold and (for ABS) machine readily.
- ABS is easier to post-process — machine, sand, solvent-weld, paint; PETG is harder to glue cleanly.
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Open the Material SelectorGet a Quote →Frequently asked questions
Which is easier to 3D print, PETG or ABS?
PETG, generally. It warps far less, adheres well between layers, and doesn't release the strong fumes ABS does, so it prints reliably without a sealed enclosure. ABS needs a heated bed, an enclosure to prevent warping and cracking, and good ventilation. For most users PETG is the more forgiving filament.
Which handles heat better?
ABS, rated near 80°C continuous versus PETG's ~65°C (nominal). If a part sits in a warm car, near electronics, or in summer sun, ABS holds shape better. PETG softens at a lower temperature, so for heat-exposed functional parts ABS — or a higher-temp plastic — is the safer pick.
Can I solvent-weld or vapor-smooth both?
ABS yes — it dissolves in acetone, so it solvent-welds with cement and can be acetone vapor-smoothed to a glossy finish. PETG resists those solvents (part of its chemical resistance), so it doesn't acetone-smooth and is harder to glue cleanly; it's usually mechanically fastened or bonded with specialized adhesives instead.
Which is tougher in service?
PETG. Its high elongation (~120% vs ABS's ~10% here) means it bends and absorbs impact rather than cracking, and it resists moisture and many chemicals better. ABS is reasonably tough but more brittle and solvent-sensitive. For parts that get flexed, dropped or exposed to chemicals, PETG generally lasts better.
Property values are typical/nominal figures for early-stage guidance only and vary by temper, grade, supplier and heat treatment. Confirm critical specifications against a certified datasheet or with an mfgiq engineer before production.