My PETG prints deteriorate in outdoors environments
Hi there,
Several of my PETG prints for outdoors use have deteriorated over the course of about 1 year.
Initially, the prints are strong and have that characteristic bit of flex that you'd expect of PETG. However, after about a year of exposure to outdoor conditions, they become much stiffer and start to fail when stressed ever so slightly.
I have not been able to isolate which factor contributes to this deterioration: The environment involves plenty of UV light in summer and below 0C temperatures in winter. The filament I used was semi-transparent ultramarine blue prusament.
I'm surprised because all online sources cite PETG as suitable for outdoor use, with UV and water resistance. Could the semi-transparent color affect the performance of the material?
I'll try again with a jet black PETG and see what happens. But I'll have to wait another year to get the in-situ results.
Has anyone else experienced something similar with PETG material?
RE: My PETG prints deteriorate in outdoors environments
PET is degraded by UV light but it's not as susceptible as some other plastics. For long term outdoor use it needs some protection. Transparent filament is particularly vulnerable.
Black filament allows much less light penetration 'though it too will degrade eventually. I have not tried but white may be better.. For best effect a coat of paint acts as a barrier, the best is probably zinc oxide based as that absorbs UV; it's used in sunscreen for that reason.
The thicker, more opaque and better painted a part is the longer it will last.
Cheerio,
paint
A coat of paint can assist with adding longer life.
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Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
RE: My PETG prints deteriorate in outdoors environments
Thanks for the tips!
The information out there is incredibly misleading with that regard. Just look what a simple search for "petg UV resistance" surfaces:
It is insensitive to changing temperatures and UV radiation to the extent that many experts consider it impervious to the external environment.
Looks like we've got better experts on this forum than whoever those guys got their quote from.
Anyways, I got the message is loud and clear: I'll just coat all my prints in sunscreen from now on 🤣
PC blend may be a better match for your needs
I have PETG prints outdoors and noticed they do degrade without a UV blocker. But different brands have different amounts, and different colors do seem to matter. I have some PLA prints hanging outdoors as well - but in the shade (bird houses) - and those are doing well, due to shade, and because I weather sealed them with acrylic paint.
PC blend will give you greater resistance than PETG will, is my experience. The other thing to remember is Resistant is not Proof - as in weather resistant versus weather proof.
carbonfiber
I have PETG prints outdoors and noticed they do degrade without a UV blocker. But different brands have different amounts, and different colors do seem to matter. I have some PLA prints hanging outdoors as well - but in the shade (bird houses) - and those are doing well, due to shade, and because I weather sealed them with acrylic paint.
PC blend will give you greater resistance than PETG will, is my experience. The other thing to remember is Resistant is not Proof - as in weather resistant versus weather proof.
This is especially true with added carbon fiber.
--------------------
Chuck H
3D Printer Review Blog
@hmil
ASA is known for having pretty good UV resistance and reasonable strength, and (Black) ABS has good UV resistance and reasonable strength, and I have found that TPU has very good UV resistance especially Ninjaflex and its very strong, but also several other brands of TPU I've tested.
PLA doesn't seem to have good UV resistance but seems to hold up outdoors in a reasonable way when not stressed.
PETG in my experience/opinion cant take a joke.
Enjoy
Swiss_Cheese
The Filament Whisperer
ASA
Hi, I'm new to Prusa and 3d printing in general but have read some articles in the recent weeks.
PET is sensitive to UV, however ASA should be better. See here https://blog.prusaprinters.org/asa-prusament-is-here-learn-everything-about-the-successor-to-abs_30636/
Have you considered it?