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Engineering Plastic

PET

PET is a stiff, strong semicrystalline polyester with good wear resistance, low moisture absorption, and broad chemical resistance. At about 55 MPa tensile and a low friction coefficient, it machines and wears well, and its food-contact acceptability makes it common in packaging and food-handling equipment.

How PET machines

Rated 3.5/5. It cuts to good surface finish and holds dimensions better than nylon because it absorbs little moisture. As with all thermoplastics, sharp tools and heat management prevent melting and gumming, and adequate support keeps thin walls from deflecting during cutting.

Manufacturing & processing

Mainly injection molded and extruded into bottles, sheet, film, and fibers; stock shapes are CNC machined for mechanical parts. Its low 70 C maximum service temperature limits hot applications. It is widely recycled and accepted for direct food contact in appropriate grades.

Typical applications

Beverage bottles, food packaging, fibers, and films dominate volume use. In machined form it serves low-friction wear parts, gears, bearings, guides, and food-processing components where its stiffness, chemical resistance, and clean wear behavior are valued over softer plastics.

When to choose it

Pick PET when you need a stiff, dimensionally stable, low-friction plastic with food compatibility and better moisture stability than nylon. If you need easy thermoforming, clarity, and toughness, glycol-modified PETG is friendlier. For higher service temperature, step up to PA66 or PEEK.

Suitable surface finishes

Common finishes for PET: bead blasting, powder coating. Use the finish selector →

FAQ

What is the difference between PET and PETG?
PETG is PET modified with glycol to suppress crystallization. That makes PETG clearer, tougher, and far easier to thermoform and 3D print, but lowers its heat resistance and stiffness. PET is stiffer, more wear-resistant, and better for structural or higher-temperature machined parts.
Is PET suitable for food contact?
Yes, in appropriate grades PET is widely used for beverage bottles and food packaging and is broadly accepted for direct food contact. It resists most foods and cleaning chemicals and absorbs little moisture. Always confirm the specific grade carries the relevant food-contact certification for your market.
How does machined PET compare to nylon for wear parts?
PET is stiffer, holds dimensions better because it barely absorbs moisture, and offers low friction and clean wear. Nylon is tougher and more impact-resistant but swells with humidity. For precise low-friction guides and bearings in dry or wet-but-stable conditions, PET is often the steadier choice.

Property values are typical/nominal for early guidance and vary by temper, grade, supplier and heat treatment. Confirm critical specs against a certified datasheet or with an mfgiq engineer.