Thermal conductivity against densityHigher and further left: spreads more heat for its weightThermal expansion against thermal conductivityLower and further right: warps less when heated
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Makrolon 2405 Technical Data SheetCovestroPlastic Polycarbonate · Yield strength: typical, tensile yieldPlastic Polycarbonate · Ultimate tensile strength: typical, stress at breakPlastic Polycarbonate · Flexural strength: typical, flexural strengthPlastic Polycarbonate · Elongation at break: typical, strain at breakPlastic Polycarbonate · Young's modulus (stiffness): typicalPlastic Polycarbonate · Density: typicalPlastic Polycarbonate · Thermal conductivity: typical, through-plane, 23 CPlastic Polycarbonate · Thermal expansion: typical, 23-55 C, parallel and normalPlastic Polycarbonate · Glass transition: typical, DSC 10 C/minPlastic Polycarbonate · Max service temperature: UL 746B RTI, tensile strength, 1.5 mm
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Engineering Polymers Part and Mold Design: Thermoplastics, A Design GuideCovestroarchived copyPlastic Polycarbonate · Poisson's ratio: typical, polycarbonate family (Covestro Part and Mold Design guide, Table 3-1)
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Eastar Copolyester 6763 Product Data SheetEastmanPlastic PETG · Thermal conductivity: base material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typicalPlastic PETG · Thermal expansion: base material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), typicalPlastic PETG · Specific heat: base material: Eastman Eastar Copolyester 6763 (PETG), DSC at 60 °C (lowest temperature listed)
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Makrolon 2405 Data Sheet, ASTM valuesBayer MaterialSciencearchived copyPlastic Polycarbonate · Specific heat: typical (guide value), Bayer ASTM datasheet for Makrolon 2405, ASTM D 2766
Each number points to the document that states it, with the exact basis. Values without a number are computed from the sourced ones. "Not sourced" means no citable source states it (or only a specification minimum); figures computed from it are left out too.
Plastic PETG is 3D printed: its properties depend on build direction and print settings; these are typical values.
Questions
Mechanical
Is Plastic PETG stronger than Plastic Polycarbonate?
Plastic Polycarbonate is stronger: its yield strength is 65 MPa against 46.2 MPa for Plastic PETG (41%).
Which is lighter, Plastic PETG or Plastic Polycarbonate?
Plastic Polycarbonate is lighter: 1,200 kg/m³ against 1,270 kg/m³ for Plastic PETG.
Which is stiffer, Plastic PETG or Plastic Polycarbonate?
Plastic Polycarbonate is stiffer: Young's modulus 2.4 GPa against 1.94 GPa for Plastic PETG, so the same part in Plastic Polycarbonate deflects less under the same load.
Which is lighter for the same job, Plastic PETG or Plastic Polycarbonate?
For the same stiffness or strength: Plastic Polycarbonate is lighter for a stiff rod or tie (tension), stiff beam (bending), stiff panel or plate, strong rod or tie, strong beam, strong panel or plate.
Part that must be
Plastic PETG
Plastic Polycarbonate
Stiff rod or tie (tension)
31% heavier
lighter
Stiff beam (bending)
18% heavier
lighter
Stiff panel or plate
14% heavier
lighter
Strong rod or tie
49% heavier
lighter
Strong beam
33% heavier
lighter
Strong panel or plate
26% heavier
lighter
For the same stiffness or strength, mass scales with density over stiffness (or strength) raised to a power set by how the part is loaded: 1 for a rod in tension, 1/2 for a beam in bending, 1/3 for a panel (the standard material-selection indices).
Which is more ductile, Plastic PETG or Plastic Polycarbonate?
Plastic Polycarbonate stretches further before it breaks: 125% elongation at break against 7.6% for Plastic PETG.
Thermal
Which conducts heat better, Plastic PETG or Plastic Polycarbonate?
Plastic PETG conducts heat better: 0.21 W/m·K against 0.2 W/m·K for Plastic Polycarbonate.
Which expands less with temperature?
Plastic PETG expands less: 51 µm/m·K against 65 µm/m·K for Plastic Polycarbonate.