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ABS vs PETG: strength, heat and cost

ABS starts to bend under load at 87 °C and PETG at 71 °C. Compare strength, print settings, drying and price per gram from Bambu Lab's datasheets.

Which to choose

Choose PETG for load: it is much stronger in tension than ABS in both directions, it takes up less water, and it prints in a cooler chamber. Choose ABS for heat: it holds its shape at a higher temperature, and it takes an impact along the layers better.

Side by side

ABSBambu Lab TDSPETGBambu Lab TDS
Heat deflection87 °C71 °C
Tensile strength, along layers33 MPa51 MPa
Tensile strength, across layers28 MPa35 MPa
Impact strength, along layers39.3 kJ/m²34.2 kJ/m²
Impact strength, across layers7.4 kJ/m²10.5 kJ/m²
Water absorption0.65%0.45%
Price per gram$0.016$0.014
Length per kilogram396 m333 m
Nozzle240–270 °C230–260 °C
Bed80–100 °C65–75 °C
Chamber45–60 °C35–50 °C
Drying80 °C, 8 h65 °C, 8 h

Every figure is from Bambu Lab’s own datasheets, because one lab’s tests compare with each other and two labs’ tests may not. In bold is the side ahead on that row. Other makers’ settings are in the temperature chart, and any other pair is in the filament comparison.

Each material in full

Other comparisons

Keep these numbers for every print

Printyard runs this arithmetic on your phone at the machine and on the web: every quote itemised, every roll to the gram, and a month with the fees and the failed prints already taken out.

Price your shopDownload on the App Store

Sources