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PLA vs PETG: strength, heat and cost

PLA starts to bend under load at 57 °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 parts that get warm or carry load: on Bambu Lab’s sheets it holds its shape at a higher temperature and it is stronger in tension both along and across the layers. Choose PLA for pieces that stay indoors at room temperature: it prints on a cooler bed and nozzle, and it takes an impact across the layers better.

Side by side

PLABambu Lab TDSPETGBambu Lab TDS
Heat deflection57 °C71 °C
Tensile strength, along layers35 MPa51 MPa
Tensile strength, across layers31 MPa35 MPa
Impact strength, along layers26.6 kJ/m²34.2 kJ/m²
Impact strength, across layers13.8 kJ/m²10.5 kJ/m²
Water absorption0.43%0.45%
Price per gram$0.015$0.014
Length per kilogram335 m333 m
Nozzle190–230 °C230–260 °C
Bed35–45 °C65–75 °C
Chamber25–45 °C35–50 °C
Drying50 °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