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PCTG filament

The impact-resistant relative of PETG: tough, clear and printable without an enclosure.

PCTG is related to PETG, but far more impact-resistant: a part that takes a knock bends rather than breaks. It is also clearer and slightly more heat-resistant, and you print it without an enclosure. Here you will find Fiberlogy PCTG in solid and transparent colours, on 0.75 and 1 kg spools and as a refill, plus the reinforced PCTG + GF and CF. Below the products you can read how to print PCTG. Read more…

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What is PCTG?

PCTG is a copolyester from the same family as PETG. In PCTG, a large part of the glycol is replaced by cyclohexanedimethanol (CHDM). This makes the material much tougher and clearer, without making it harder to print. Fiberlogy PCTG reaches around 90 kJ/m² in the notched Izod impact test and keeps its shape up to around 76 °C. It shrinks little and is dimensionally stable, so no enclosure is needed. How PCTG compares to the rest of the family is explained on PETG & PCTG filament.

When should you choose PCTG?

  • Knocks and falls: protective covers, clips, mounts, sports accessories and airsoft parts.
  • Clarity: lampshades, viewing windows and holders you want to see through. PCTG Pure Transparent is remarkably clear.
  • Chemicals: parts that come into contact with cleaning agents or oil.
  • Heat: parts that get a little warmer, such as in a car.

For ordinary holders and enclosures, PETG is better value and comes in more colours. All the differences are in our article PCTG vs PETG.

PCTG, PCTG + GF or PCTG + CF?

Besides pure PCTG, you will also find PCTG with glass fibre (GF) or carbon fibre (CF) here. The fibres make the material stiffer and more dimensionally stable, but less tough. Choose pure PCTG for impact resistance and clarity, and the reinforced types for stiff technical parts. They are also grouped on PCTG + CF / GF. Fibres need a hardened steel nozzle.

Printing PCTG: the settings

  • Nozzle: 250–270 °C. Start around 255 °C and go up if layer bonding is disappointing. Hotter gives a glossier surface.
  • Print bed: 90–110 °C.
  • Adhesion: PCTG sometimes sticks too well to smooth PEI; use glue stick or 3DLAC as a release layer.
  • Cooling: around 30–50%. Too much cooling costs layer bonding and therefore strength.
  • Slicer profile: in Bambu Studio and OrcaSlicer you can use the PETG profile as a starting point and raise the temperatures.

PCTG absorbs moisture; store spools sealed with silica gel beads. You will find more solutions in solving 3D printing problems.

Pros and cons of PCTG

Pros

  • Far more impact-resistant than PETG
  • Clear in the transparent colours
  • Keeps its shape up to around 76 °C
  • Little shrinkage, no enclosure needed

Cons

  • More expensive than PETG
  • Fewer colours than PETG, no matte or pastel
  • Prints hotter, and the bed needs to reach 90–110 °C

Colours, spools and refills

PCTG comes in solid colours such as black, white, grey, graphite, inox, onyx, blue, red and orange, and transparent in Pure Transparent, burgundy, navy blue, orange and light green. The spools are 0.75 or 1 kg. A few colours are available as a refill without a spool, for a reusable spool such as the Fiberlogy Masterspool.

Frequently asked questions

  • Is PCTG harder to print than PETG?

    Hardly. The settings are largely the same; only the temperatures are higher: 250–270 °C for the nozzle and 90–110 °C for the bed. No enclosure is needed.

  • Can I use PCTG in the Bambu Lab AMS?

    Most PCTG spools are suitable for the AMS; each product states whether it is. Refills need a spool first. As a slicer profile you can use the PETG profile with the PCTG temperatures.

  • Is PCTG toxic or food safe?

    PCTG gives off little odour while printing, but as with any filament, make sure there is ventilation. As for food contact: even if the raw material is suitable, a 3D print has tiny grooves between the layers where bacteria can settle. We advise against it for cups or containers that you use often.

  • How much stronger is PCTG than PETG?

    The main difference is impact resistance. Fiberlogy PCTG reaches around 90 kJ/m² in the notched Izod test; Fiberlogy says it is up to 20 times more impact-resistant than PETG. You will find a table with all the differences in PCTG vs PETG.

  • Why is my transparent PCTG print not clear?

    A print never becomes as clear as glass, because every layer refracts the light a little. Damp filament causes bubbles and makes the print cloudy, so dry the spool if it has been left open for a long time. A slightly higher temperature gives a glossier, clearer surface.