PLA vs. PETG vs. ABS vs. Polycarbonate, Which Is Really Stronger?

Today we put the new tensile tester to work. Comparing PLA, PETG, ABS, and a Polycarbonate blend to find which of them is actually stronger. The results are interesting to say the least.

[anthonypoole]

The kid in the background running around is a hilarious contrast to the information🤣

[agoffgrid]

just printed a 3.1 lower in pla. cant wait to put it together tomorrow. Ill show the test fire saturday

[satori_mountian_station]

I really appreciate this type of research. Thank you.

[jeffthebaptist]

I always like these sorts of tests. CNC kitchen has done a bunch as well. The appeal to my engineering background. It would be interesting to see the results from some of the popular PLA+ filaments like Esun PLA+ or Atomic's impact resistant PLA. I believe they are generally more elastic than standard PLA.

While your graph at around 7:30 is nice in that it shows a lot of data on one graph, I'm very wary of the implied linear trend with print orientation. I don't think that's right. Even if they all failed in the same failure mode, that curve would probably be some sort trigonometric curve. Since all the vertical prints have brittle delamination failures, it would probably be a curve with a discontinuity at the failure mode change.

Any idea why the vertical PLA has that flat spot in the graph? That's very odd to me. It's like something in the part yields, but not the whole part.

[Eduard_Kolesnikov]

one of the best test so far, with better background

[Sterflex]

Should give pctg a try, apparently has great layer adhesion

[AzianRogue]

You should do a test while pieces are heated. If some decided to make a lower for educational purposes and wanted to use it, the upper receiver will heat up after x number of rounds and could lower the structural integrity of the lower. This is just my hypothesis. A similar test should be done after annealing the parts as well.

[Nicksperiments]

I’d like to see some of the high end “exotic” filaments tested. PolyMaker makes super strong stuff like PC Max, PolyMide CoPA (easy printing nylon), and my personal favorite PA-6GF (glass fiber reinforced nylon). I think glass reinforced nylon is going to be the best because nylon is super strong and the glass fibers make it almost as stiff as PLA. Things like Magpul PMags are some form of glass reinforced nylon. Fiberlogy makes a good glass fiber reinforced nylon too which is good since the PolyMaker one is always out of stock.

[donaldhollingsworth]

Something you also have to compare is part shrinkage & dimensions between all of your test parts. I have also read online that you should dry out what ever filament you'll be printing with it.

[ricksgaming]

can we get esun pla+ vs your brand of choice.

[Nathan-jhho]

I did testing on impact resistance on the z axis. On Nylon, Polymax PC, ABS, ASA, PETG, PLA. Nylon did the best by far after soaking in warm water, though it was quite flexible. Polymaker's ABS was second, I was able to fine toon the settings to greatly improve the property. PC was next, close to ASA. Then PETG being drastically lower, then PLA.

[JazAero]

Great video, I caught your use of the word coupon :-). I also print with polycarbonate blend (Priline) and I find it is extremely temperature dependent to get good layer adhesion. Try raising the temperature see if your layer adhesion gets better. It made a huge difference for me. I've seen many people recommend all kinds of different temperatures and settings, but I found what works best for me on my PRUSA Mark 3S is as follows
first layer 280° C
all subsequent layers 275° C
.8 mm retraction

100°C on the print bed for the first layers 90°C afterwards
my parts require high finish so I print at .15 mm layer height
15% infill

COOLING FAN OFF "except for first layers of bridging" this is of paramount importance !, as hitting this material with cooling air will cause it not to layer bond correctly. I suspect a lot of people who are complaining about weak parts or bad layer adhesion have their cooling fans turned on. I cannot stress this enough "YOU CANNOT USE THE COOLING FAN WITH THIS MATERIAL" this results in extremely strong parts that I use.

[WTF_BBQ]

Good content. I was very surprised that PETG was a LOT weaker than PLA. I've always thought they were stronger in general.

[sunisshiningiceisslippery]

"This chart has lines on it" brooo 😂😂 hilarious. That's comedy gold

[krow]

I'm an optician and we make lenses from a lot of these materials. Trivex and Xirm are the two strongest monomer plastics I know of. Trivex is also chemical resistant. Trivex is made by PPG in Pennsylvania. I don't know if it'll ever be in a spool, but it passes impact resistance tests at the same or higher tolerances than poly. I'd like to see something printed in it one day! Polycarbonate is actually pretty weak, but it's used in safety glasses. It gets a treatment/coating at the lab that gives it its impact resistance. Without that treatment, it's shit tier. Not sure if any of this applies to 3D printing, but the materials are pretty familiar to me.

[Anarchy-Is-Liberty]

I guess the next question is... PLA or PLA+? I almost bought some PLA+ a couple of days ago, but decided to wait and see what results people are getting.

[NoTimeForThatNow]

Trouble with pla is that in a hot car it can distort and get ruined, especially if there is force applied from internal springs, etc. In South Florida a car can reach temperatures above 140F parked out in the sun.

[ttonAb]

the test you performed is not the same as the results from an impact test, PLA is more brittle in such a test. ASA (ABS) should have the highest impact resistance between PETG and PLA, with PLA being the lowest.

[noretreat]

We all can read between the lines....These are the elements required for the strength the construction of the structure in your project ‘time machine vehicle’ must contain. We wish you success and fulfillment, as homesickness is a ‘bummer’. Your future crew members were seen in background of this video footage. Keep your subscribers informed of the progress in this endeavor.
Gott Mitt Uns

[jheli]

Any plans to do prusament ASA, Nylon, cf Nylon, testing in freezing and hot temps?