PCTG
Glycol-Modified Polycyclohexylenedimethylene Terephthalate
8 products from 8 makers. Bambu Lab does not list this material for the H2C; its published process temperatures are within the printer's limits.
- Tensile modulus (XY)
- 1.75GPa
- one product
- Tensile strength (XY)
- 49MPa
- 2 products · 45–53
- Not published:
- tensile strength (Z),
- Not published:
- notched Charpy impact.
- HDT at 0.45 MPa
- 76°C
- 5 products · middle half 74–76
- Price
- 48CAD/kg
- one product
PCTG is a glycol-modified polycyclohexylenedimethylene terephthalate. A maker sells it for packaging, electronic housings and biomedical applications, and makers describe low shrinkage and high dimensional stability. Its HDT at 0.45 MPa is 76 °C, below its glass transition. On the H2C it prints at 250–270 °C without chamber heat, and makers advise pre-drying, a maker calling it moderately hygroscopic.
Partly documented Tensile modulus (XY) and price rest on 1 product each, tensile strength (XY) on 2 products and tensile strength (Z) and notched Charpy impact are not published. Each figure is the median of the products that publish it comparably, and beside it the middle half of them; a value on a test bar no document describes as printed, or with no stated test load, is set apart, except a heat deflection of a plastic that cannot crystallise, which its glass transition sets, unless its document points to a moulded or resin bar.
On the H2C
Printing in full- Nozzle
- 250–270 °C
- most products that give one
- Bed
- 75–100 °C
- most products that give one
- Heated chamber
- none needed
- 6 of 8 products
- Drying
- 60–75 °C, 3–24 h
- all 8 products call for it
- Nozzle type
- standard
- 3 say a standard nozzle is enough; the rest are silent
No product's setting is beyond the H2C's limits: nozzle 350 °C, bed 120 °C, heated chamber 65 °C.
Among the materials
Against PCTG-GF, PCTG's HDT at 0.45 MPa is about the same: 76 °C against 78 °C. Against PLA, PCTG is 9 % stronger flat, and its HDT at 0.45 MPa is 20 °C higher. Among the materials, PCTG has a high elongation at break (XY) and a low tensile modulus (XY) and price: each is in the top or bottom quarter of the materials that publish it. The rest of its key properties sit in the middle half.
PCTG costs less than PCTG-CF, PCTG-GF and PC
How does it compare with what an engineer would buy instead?
- PCTG: its products' median and middle half
- an alternative
- lowest to highest
- each material's median (top row)
- set apart: test bar not described as printed, or no stated load
Each row is a material, each column a property: the bar is the middle half of a material's products, the tick their median, the hairline their lowest to highest; the ticks above the rows are every material's median.
The figure as a table
| Material | Modulus (XY) (GPa) | Strength (XY) (MPa) | Strength (Z) (MPa) | Notched Charpy (kJ/m²) | HDT 0.45 MPa (°C) | Price (CAD/kg) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCTG (this material) | 1.75 · 1 | 49 · 2 | — | — | 76 (74–76) · 5 | 48 · 1 |
| PCTG-CF | — | 39–70 as published (3) | — | — | 78 · 1 | 138 · 1 |
| PCTG-GF | 3.4 as published (1) | 55 as published (3) | — | — | 78 · 2 | 165 · 1 |
| PLA | 2.58 (2–2.88) · 61 | 45 (39.5–53) · 83 | 30.3 (22.1–34) · 40 | 6 (3.97–7.9) · 14 | 56 (53–58) · 50 | 33 (28–40) · 27 |
| PETG | 1.69 (1.42–1.95) · 24 | 47 (40.3–50.6) · 34 | 30.2 (28–36.5) · 16 | 6 (4.76–8) · 10 | 70 (69–71) · 32 | 26 (25–32) · 11 |
| PC | 2.15 (2.02–2.41) · 12 | 60 (54.2–65.3) · 15 | 46 (35.9–52.3) · 6 | 9.75 (6.65–14.3) · 4 | 123 (113–139) · 15 | 51 (45–67) · 5 |
PCTG publishes no tensile strength (Z) or notched Charpy impact.
Where PCTG sits among the 128 rigid materials on file
Where is it in the landscape: stiffness against strength, heat resistance against price?
- PCTG: median, middle half as a cross
- a PCTG product
- an alternative
- another material
- beyond the scale
Tensile strength (XY) against tensile modulus (XY)
MPa, log scale
Tensile modulus (XY), GPa, log scale
HDT at 0.45 MPa against price
°C
Price, CAD/kg, log scale
Grey points are every other rigid material's medians; the alternatives are named.
The figure as a table
| Material | Tensile modulus (XY) | Tensile strength (XY) | Price | HDT at 0.45 MPa |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| PCTG (this material) | 1.75 GPa · 1 | 49 MPa · 2 | 48 CAD/kg · 1 | 76 °C · 5 |
| PCTG-CF | — | 39–70 MPa as published | 138 CAD/kg · 1 | 78 °C · 1 |
| PCTG-GF | 3.4 GPa as published | 55 MPa as published | 165 CAD/kg · 1 | 78 °C · 2 |
| PLA | 2.58 GPa · 61 | 45 MPa · 83 | 33 CAD/kg · 27 | 56 °C · 50 |
| PETG | 1.69 GPa · 24 | 47 MPa · 34 | 26 CAD/kg · 11 | 70 °C · 32 |
| PC | 2.15 GPa · 12 | 60 MPa · 15 | 51 CAD/kg · 5 | 123 °C · 15 |
Mechanical properties
Printed flat (XY), PCTG typically reaches a tensile strength of 49 MPa at a modulus of 1.75 GPa, and breaks at 182 % elongation. In bending, its flexural strength is typically 69.3 MPa at a flexural modulus of 1.7 GPa.
PCTG's products spread most in notched Izod impact: the middle half runs 93 kJ/m²
How strong, stiff and tough are its products, and which stand out?
- a product
- set apart: test bar not described as printed, or no stated load
- middle half and median
- beyond the scale
One mark per product on each property's scale (zoomed where its products sit close together, as its label says); the band is the middle half of the products the median counts, and the line the median.
Hover or select a product to find it in every figure; its name opens its card on the Products page.
The figure as a table
| Property | In the median | Median | Middle half | Lowest in the median | Highest in the median | As published | Added filler or additive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Notched Izod impact (kJ/m²) | 5 | 93 | 93 | 3DXTECH MAXG PCTG, 8 | 3DJake PCTG, 93 | 2 | 0 |
Every PCTG product that publishes these values is drawn; each value, with its document and conditions, is on the Products page.
| Product | Tensile strength (XY) | Tensile modulus (XY) | Elongation at break (XY) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3DXTECH MAXG PCTG | 45 MPa | 1.75 GPa | 24 % |
| Spectrum pctg | 46 MPanot described as printed | not published | 220 %not described as printed |
| Extrudr PCTG | 46 MPanot described as printed | 1.7 GPanot described as printed | 220 %not described as printed |
| 3D-Fuel Pro PCTG | 53 MPa | not published | 340 % |
| FormFutura AthenaX | 46 MPanot described as printed | not published | 220 %not described as printed |
| Nobufil PCTG | 50 MPaorientation not stated | not published | 14 %orientation not stated |
| Fiberlogy PCTG | 45 MPanot described as printed | 2 GPanot described as printed | 220 %not described as printed |
| 3DJake PCTG | 46 MPanot described as printed | not published | 220 %not described as printed |
Most PCTG products measure 76 Shore D
How hard are its products, on the Shore scale their sheets use?
- a product
- middle half and median
The figure as a table
| Property | In the median | Median | Middle half | Lowest in the median | Highest in the median | As published | Added filler or additive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shore D hardness (Shore D) | 4 | 76 | 76 | Spectrum pctg, 76 | 3DJake PCTG, 76 | 0 | 0 |
Every PCTG product that publishes these values is drawn; each value, with its document and conditions, is on the Products page.
Not published for PCTG: strength across the layers.
Thermal properties
PCTG's HDT is typically 76 °C under 0.45 MPa and 64 °C under 1.8 MPa, with its glass transition typically at 84 °C. As published, Vicat softening is typically 87 °C.
Most PCTG products deflect at 74–76 °C under 0.45 MPa
Where do its products soften under load?
- a product
- set apart: test bar not described as printed, or no stated load
- middle half and median
The figure as a table
| Property | In the median | Median | Middle half | Lowest in the median | Highest in the median | As published | Added filler or additive |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HDT at 0.45 MPa (°C) | 5 | 76 | 74–76 | 3D-Fuel Pro PCTG, 74 | FormFutura AthenaX, 76 | 1 | 0 |
| HDT at 1.8 MPa (°C) | 4 | 64 | 64 | Spectrum pctg, 64 | 3DJake PCTG, 64 | 2 | 0 |
| Glass transition (Tg) (°C) | 7 | 84 | 84–85 | 3DXTECH MAXG PCTG, 78 | Fiberlogy PCTG, 88 | 0 | 0 |
Every PCTG product that publishes these values is drawn; each value, with its document and conditions, is on the Products page.
Printing on the H2C
PCTG prints within the H2C's limits and softens near 76 °C, above its 65 °C chamber
What does printing it on the H2C take, and how hot can a part get?
- share of the products that accept each temperature
- what most products accept
- the H2C's limit, and beyond it
- a product
- PCTG: its products' median and middle half
- as published, under each sheet's own test
Printing it on the H2C
In service
°C
One temperature axis for the settings a print needs and the temperatures a part meets. A setting's shade is how many of the products whose sheets give a window accept each degree; the H2C's limit closes its row.
The figure as a table
| Setting or property | Most products, or the median | Products | H2C limit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nozzle | 250–270 °C | 8 | 350 °C |
| Bed | 75–100 °C | 8 | 120 °C |
| Heated chamber | — | 0 | 65 °C |
| Drying | 60–75 °C, 3–24 h | 8 | — |
| HDT at 1.8 MPa | 64 °C (64 °C) | 4 | — |
| HDT at 0.45 MPa | 76 °C (74–76 °C) | 5 | — |
| Glass transition (Tg) | 84 °C (84–85 °C) | 7 | — |
| Vicat softening temperature | 81–88 °C | 4 | — |
No PCTG product gives a heated chamber window. Windows read from the Bambu Lab Filament Guide are not shaded: the guide speaks for every product that reads it.
| Setting | Most PCTG products |
|---|---|
| Nozzle | 250–270 °C most products that give one |
| Bed | 75–100 °C most products that give one |
| Heated chamber | none needed 6 of 8 products |
| Drying | 60–75 °C, 3–24 h all 8 products call for it |
| Nozzle type | standard 3 say a standard nozzle is enough; the rest are silent |
Where a product's own sheet is silent, its setting comes from a sheet it shares or from the Bambu Lab Filament Guide; each product's card says which.
What makers say about printing it
Moisture sensitivity
Lower moisture absorption rate than PETG
3D-Fuel Pro PCTG, data sheet, p. 1
Nozzle wear
Ruby or hardened nozzle not necessary
Spectrum pctg, data sheet, p. 1
More from makers: printing advice, warping and shrinkage, adhesion between layers and odour and emissions
Printing advice
Pro PCTG typically doesn’t require an enclosure, making it an ecellent choice for functional parts, prototypes, or any project needing robust, dependable filament performance.
3D-Fuel Pro PCTG, data sheet, p. 1
Warping and shrinkage
A very important advantage of the Premium PCTG filament is its increased impact strength, high dimensional stability and low shrinkage.
Spectrum pctg, data sheet, p. 1
Adhesion between layers
Athena's X-factor ensures low shrinkage plus increased bed- and layer adhesion.
FormFutura AthenaX, data sheet, p. 1
Odour and emissions
odourless
Spectrum pctg, data sheet, p. 1
Products
8 products, one from each of 8 makers.
- Most documented: Spectrum pctg, with values for more properties than any other.
- Highest HDT at 0.45 MPa: 3DXTECH MAXG PCTG, 76 °C.
These are published values, not recommendations: the selector judges each product against your requirements.
Uses, limitations and chemicals
What it is sold for
It is suitable for (food) packaging, electronic housings and even biomedical applications.
FormFutura AthenaX, data sheet, p. 1The filament contains no bisphenol derivatives (BPA-free) or phthalate-based plasticisers, making it even suitable for food contact.
3DJake PCTG, maker's product page or guide, p. 1
What makers warn about
Fiberlogy PCTG is BPA-free , fully recyclable , and, in its Pure TR version, approved for food contact* , which further expands its range of applications.
Fiberlogy PCTG, maker's product page or guide, p. 1PCTG offers good resistance to UV, moisture, and heat, making it generally suitable for outdoor use. However, prolonged, permanent outdoor exposure can still cause gradual fading or embrittlement over time.
Extrudr PCTG, maker's product page or guide, p.1
Finish and accuracy
excellent print surface
Spectrum pctg, data sheet, p. 1high dimensional accuracy of the printed elements
Spectrum pctg, data sheet, p. 1AthenaX enables you to 3D print parts with high dimensional accuracy.
FormFutura AthenaX, data sheet, p. 1
Chemicals and environment
No maker of these products publishes resistance to a named chemical, to water or to sunlight.
Density and price
All seven products give a density of 1,230 kg/m³. One product has a sampled price: Spectrum pctg at 48 CAD/kg.
| Product | Price |
|---|---|
| Spectrum pctg | 48 CAD/kg |
Regular prices, never sale prices, from 9 Canadian shops and 10 foreign shops, sampled 10 Sep–20 Oct 2026, not live; shipping and tax are not included.
Other properties, as published
7 more properties are published, each under its own sheet's test conditions, so they are listed, not ranked.
The 7 properties, lowest to highest
| Property | Products | Lowest–highest |
|---|---|---|
| Elongation at yield | 6 | 4–5 % |
| Hardness | 4 | 105 Rockwell R |
| Continuous service temperature | 1 | 50 °C |
| Decomposition temperature | 1 | 370 °C |
| Impact strength, test unclear | 1 | 94 kJ/m² |
| Mould shrinkage | 1 | 0.2–0.5 % |
| Water absorption | 1 | 0.5 % |
Sources
16 documents from 9 publishers (10 data sheets, 5 makers' product pages and guides and 1 printer document), read 10 Sep–3 Oct 2026. Each value on PCTG's Products page names its document and page, and links to the original.
Bambu Lab, H2C Filamant Printing Guide (the H2C's printer guide): print settings for 8 products.
Every document (16), by publisher
| Publisher | Documents | Values | Products |
|---|---|---|---|
| Extrudr | 3 | 26 | 1 |
| Fiberlogy | 3 | 15 | 1 |
| 3DXTECH | 3 | 9 | 1 |
| 3DJake | 2 | 7 | 1 |
| 3D-Fuel | 1 | 21 | 1 |
| Spectrum | 1 | 12 | 1 |
| FormFutura | 1 | 11 | 1 |
| Nobufil | 1 | 11 | 1 |
- 3D-Fuel, TECHNICAL DATA SHEET 3D-Fuel Pro PCTG
- 3DJake, 3DJAKE PCTG Black, 1,75 mm / 1000 g
- 3DJake, Technical Data Sheet 3DJAKE PCTG
- 3DXTECH, MAX-G™ PCTG
- 3DXTECH, MAX-G™ PCTG
- 3DXTECH, Technical Data Sheet: MAX-G™ PCTG 3D Printing Filament
- Bambu Lab, H2C Filamant Printing Guide | Bambu Lab Wiki
- Extrudr, PCTG official maker product page
- Extrudr, TECHNICAL DATA SHEET PCTG
- Extrudr, TECHNISCHES DATENBLATT PCTG
- Fiberlogy, PCTG Filament
- Fiberlogy, TECHNICAL DATA SHEET Fiberlogy PCTG
- Fiberlogy, TECHNICAL DATA SHEET Fiberlogy PCTG
- FormFutura, TECHNICAL DATA SHEET AthenaX
- Nobufil, Technical Datasheet PCTG
- Spectrum, pctg