PETG is found in a variety of sign and display applications including fabricated 3D point of sale display units, medical appliances, flat sheet installations and vacuum forming.  APET is more commonly found as glazing, bus shelter screening, slatwall brochure racks, and other flat sheet application.

• FDA/BGA approval for contact with food and medical equipment
• Thermoforming properties for hot line bending and vacuum forming
• Class 1 UK fire rating “difficult to ignite”
• Good impact resistance
• Excellent weathering and outdoor exposure

The difference between PETG & APET

• PETG has a lower thermo-forming temperature. This makes PETG more ideally suited for heat bending and vac forming
• PETG density is greater 1.33 g/cm3 as opposed to APET’S 1.27g/cm3
• APET has 4 year outdoor durability as opposed to PETG’s 3 years (for standard types)
• APET has a better light transmission at 86%, to that of PETG’s at 84%
• APET is better for flat and arched applications

Cutting

There are a number of solutions for cutting PETG and APET including:

Manual sawing – A fine bladed saw is needed and the sheet should be fastened down to avoid any vibrations
Knife – The panel should be scored multiple times before attempting to cut fully through
Circular & band saw – Will produce a better finish than that of manual or knife cutting
CNC router – PETG can be v-grooved to create folding lines for fabrication, at 3mm thickness and above
Laser – Lumex G has been tested and certified by ‘Eurolaser’ for CNC laserability. Anything up to 2mm can be cut
Guillotining & punching
Die cutting

Weathering

• PETG can be exposed outside for a duration of up to three years, APET is suitable for four.
• PETG has inbuilt temperature resistance of between -30°C to 65 °C. APET has -20 °C up to 65 °C.

Light Transmission

• Up to 84% of visible light is transmitted through clear PETG. However APET clear has 86%.

Flammability

Both PETG & APET have a class 1 fire rating under the UK BS 476 Part 7 regulation, “difficult to ignite” This the same flammability resistance as both polycarbonate and aluminium composite.

Hot Bending

In order for PETG to bend, it must be heated to a temperature of between 100°C – 110°C. The material can then manipulated to shape by clamps and pre –set moulding apparatus.
Usually PETG is heated on both sides when bending to shape. Single sided bending is possible but problems tend to arise during fabrication: the thickness of the sheet and the angle of the bend can make forming difficult; overheating the sheet (this will produce bubbles); under heating (this can make the sheet brittle in areas of heat contact).

V-grooving

The polymers in the material makeup of PETG allow for it to be v-grooved for fabrication. However PETG can only folded a certain number of times, before potential fracturing occurs after v-grooving.

Drilling

Like other stocked substrates, PETG and APET interact best with drill bits especially designed for plastics. Although metal or woodtwist drills can be used, they require careful application and slower drilling speeds in order to produce clean results.

Glues

PETG adheres best with ‘Evo-StikExtru-Fix’ but also works with a range of other bostik glues including, ‘Evo-Stik Mirror Adhesive’, ‘Bostik 7452’, ‘Simson ISR 70-03 & Prep M’and  THF (Tetrahydrofuran). Butt, lap and face joints are all achievable using these adhesives.

Vacuum Forming

Although not an in-house process at NE Plastics, PETG can in fact be vacuum formed.

Printing

Both silk screen and tampo (gravure) printing techniques are applicable. UV curing inks have also good keying properties with both PETG & APET.

Recyclability

APET can be 100% recycled within its own waste group.