Home/PETG vs ABS
Side-by-side · manufacturer-sourced
PETG vs ABS — settings & when to use which
A side-by-side of recommended print settings and practical trade-offs between PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), from the manufacturer data this site is built on.
| PETG | ABS | |
|---|---|---|
| Nozzle temp | 220–260°C | 230–270°C |
| Bed temp | 55–90°C | 80–110°C |
| Enclosure | Helpful | Required |
| Part cooling | low | none |
| Moisture sensitivity | medium | medium |
| Heat resistance | Moderate | High |
Swipe the table sideways to see every column
- Functional/mechanical parts
- Outdoor parts (better UV/weather than PLA)
- Food-adjacent and watertight prints
- Brackets, fixtures, enclosures
- Durable indoor functional parts
- Parts needing heat resistance
- Acetone vapor-smoothed finishes
FAQ
Should I print in PETG or ABS?
PETG: The practical step up from PLA: tougher, more temperature- and chemical-resistant, and still printable without an enclosure. ABS: A durable, heat-resistant engineering plastic that can be acetone-smoothed — but it warps hard and emits fumes (styrene), so an enclosure and ventilation are effectively required. In short, PETG runs cooler (220–260 °C, enclosure helpful) and ABS runs hotter (230–270 °C, enclosure required).
Is ABS stronger than PETG?
PETG heat resistance: Moderate. Glass transition ~75–80 °C — handles a warm car better than PLA but is not for high heat. ABS heat resistance: High. Glass transition ~100 °C — suitable for warm environments and under-hood-adjacent indoor parts.