PETG is made from the same family of plastics as drink bottles, but 3D printed PETG has microscopic gaps between layers that can harbour bacteria. For genuine food-contact use it needs a food-safe sealant. See our food-safe materials guide.

Can I use PLA outside in Australia?

Short-term yes, long-term no. PLA will yellow and become brittle within months of direct sun, and softens on a hot day. Choose PETG, ASA or ABS for outdoor parts.

Which is stronger, PLA or PETG?

PLA has higher rigidity but is brittle. PETG is tougher and more impact-resistant. For real-world durability PETG usually 'feels' stronger.

PLA vs PETG: Which Is Better?

Head-to-head comparison of PLA and PETG filament for Australian 3D printing — strength, temperature, outdoor performance and cost.

PLA and PETG are the two most common filaments used by Australian 3D printing makers, and choosing between them is one of the first decisions you'll make when ordering a part. They look similar on the shelf but behave very differently once your print is in use — especially in an Australian summer.

The short version: PLA is cheaper, stiffer, easier to print and looks great, but softens in a hot car. PETG is tougher, more heat-resistant and waterproof, but slightly more expensive and harder to finish. Here is how they really compare.

Strength and toughness

PLA is stiffer than PETG and has higher tensile strength on paper (around 50 MPa vs 45 MPa), but it is brittle — it snaps rather than bends. PETG is more ductile, absorbs impact better, and is the better pick for parts that get dropped, flexed or clipped together repeatedly.

For decorative prints, models, busts and indoor brackets that aren't load-bearing, PLA is perfectly strong. For anything that needs to survive being handled, PETG wins.

Heat resistance — the Australian summer test

PLA softens (glass transition) at around 60 °C. A car dashboard or rear parcel shelf in an Australian summer routinely hits 70–80 °C, so a PLA phone holder will sag and warp on a hot day. PETG handles around 80 °C before softening, which makes it the safer choice for anything that lives in a vehicle, a shed, a garage or outside.

For sustained outdoor heat or under-bonnet use you need to step up again to ABS, ASA, PC or nylon — neither PLA nor PETG is ideal there.

UV and weather resistance

Both PLA and PETG degrade in direct UV over months, but PETG holds up noticeably better and is far less moisture-sensitive. PETG is the better outdoor pick of the two, though ASA is the gold standard for parts that live in full sun year-round.

Print quality and finish

PLA produces crisper detail, glossier surfaces and is easy to sand and paint — it's the favourite for figurines, miniatures and display pieces. PETG tends to string slightly, and the surface has a softer, semi-translucent look. PETG is much harder to sand smoothly because it gums up sandpaper.

Cost

Both materials are inexpensive. Expect a small premium for PETG over PLA when you order a print, typically 10–20% on the material portion of the quote. On most small parts the difference is a few dollars.

Quick chooser

Pick PLA for: display models, prototypes, indoor brackets, kids' toys, packaging inserts, cosplay props that won't see heat.

Pick PETG for: outdoor brackets, parts that live in a car or shed, water-contact parts, snap-fit enclosures, hooks, clamps and anything that needs to flex without snapping.