PETT: density, print temperature and when to choose it
PETT (glycol-modified PET, in its early formulations) was one of the first widely available PET-based filaments for FDM printing, and the historical predecessor of PETG. Chemically they're very close, but PETG eventually displaced PETT in practice: manufacturers refined the formula for a wider process window, better layer adhesion, and less brittleness, leaving PETT as a niche or fading brand name.
Key properties
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | ≈1.27 g/cm³ |
| Nozzle temperature | 220–240°C |
| Bed temperature | 60–70°C |
| Part cooling | medium |
| Shrinkage | low |
| Enclosure required | no |
When to use it
- Printing to an existing profile/spec where PETT is specifically called out as the material (e.g. reproducing an old prototype or matching a customer's documentation).
- Transparent and semi-transparent parts — PETT historically had good light transmission, comparable to early PETG.
- Educational and historical demonstrations of FDM material evolution.
When to pick something else
- For the vast majority of new projects — use PETG: it went through much deeper formula development, prints more consistently, and is available from nearly every filament manufacturer, while PETT is barely produced today.
- You need higher strength and impact resistance — consider PC or PETG-CF for more demanding mechanical parts.
- You need heat resistance beyond the standard PET range — ASA or PC fits better.
Pros and cons
Pros: good transparency, mechanical properties on par with early PET materials, predictable behavior when printing to an old profile.
Cons: largely displaced from the market by PETG, a narrow selection of manufacturers and colors, often sold under vague or outdated trade names, which complicates dialing in print parameters.
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Since PETT is now a rarity on the market, its purchase price and availability are less predictable than PETG's — budget a possible markup for small production runs and longer delivery from niche suppliers. For most new projects it's more practical and cheaper to calculate cost on PETG directly — the material gives comparable or better properties with a far more stable market supply.