PET GF Raise3D

The Raise3D industrial PET GF filament is a composite material based on PET and 15 wt% of well-dispersed glass fibers for a boosted rigidity, strength, heat and chemical resistance of the PET matrix. The PET GF filament is available in black, grey, red and orange and compatible with the Raise3D PET support filament.

When it comes to its everyday uses, PET (polyethylene terephthalate) is a material very commonly used for the manufacturing of packaging such as plastic bottles, food containers or even in the production of textile fibers. In 3D printing, together with materials such as PETG, PET belongs to the family of copolyesters and is characterized by great tensile strength, excellent chemical resistance, light weight, elasticity, and stability over a wide range of temperatures.

Image 1: The properties of the Raise3D PET GF filament. Source: Raise3D.

Reinforcing polymers with glass fibers is a very common practice in additive manufacturing. In the case of the Raise3D PET GF, the added gass fibers not only improve the printability (better interlayer and base adhesion, less warping, low moisture absorption, creep resistance) but also give the 3D printed part improved rigidity and strength, better dimensional stability, higher heat resistance and chemical resistance. The mechanical properties of the PET GF filament are comparable, and in some aspects superior, to those of glass fiber reinforced nylon (higher tensile modulus and flexural modulus, and better chemical resistance).

By means of annealing, the properties of parts 3D printed with the Raise3D PET GF can be further improved. Annealing will stabilize the heat resistance of PET GF at around 120 ºC and bring the tensile modulus and tensile strength to over 4100 MPa and 70 MPa respectively.

Image 2: A part 3D printed with the PET GF filament. Source: Raise3D.

The recommended equipment for working with the Raise3D PET GF filament are the Raise3D E2CF 3D printer or the Raise3D RMF500 3D printer, both designed especially for high performance with fiber reinforced filaments. Both solutions include abrasion resistance extrusion systems to ensure smooth extrusion and quality parts. If other 3D printers are used, abrasion resistance nozzles such as a hardened steel nozzle or a ruby nozzle must be installed in order to avoid excessive wear of the nozzle by the glass particles from the PET GF filament.

The Raise3D PET GF an ideal choice for reliable glass fiber composite printing for strong and cost-effective jigs, fixtures, manufacture aids and functional parts with excellent thermomechanical properties and chemical resistance. The potential applications for the Raise3D PET GF filament include the automobile sector, the aerospace industry or the electrical and electronic industry.