It’s hard to believe that just a few years ago there were only a handful of 3D printing material and color options, and in such a short amount of time the market now boasts hundreds of 3D printing filament and material options. While PLA and to a lesser degree ABS still rule the roost, one of the materials growing extremely rapidly in popularity are the various PET materials.
PET, or polyethylene terephthalate, is a polymer that is derived from polyester and is one of the more prolific thermoplastic materials in use today. It is used for products as diverse as thermal insulation, magnetic tape, pressure sensitive adhesives, and fabrics like polar fleece. And because PET is highly resistant to water and moisture, it is an extremely popular food-safe packaging material, and is what most water and soda bottles are made of.
As a 3D printing material it is very easy to use, holds its shape well, and can be used to hold liquids and food without any toxicity issues. It also doesn’t require a heated bed for first layer adhesion, making it compatible for use with most 3D printers on the market today. That makes it an ideal option for prints that require a transparent material; however, even the transparent PET options available weren’t especially transparent. But 3D printing materials manufacturer FormFutura has developed a new modified PETG formula that they describe as ultra-transparent.