Bheema Shankar
PETG (polyethene terephthalate glycol) is quickly becoming a top choice for light engineering applications, as it offers a strong combination of impact resistance, toughness, and excellent optical clarity, comparable to classic PET bottles. It is temperature-tolerant too – significantly more so than PLA filaments which typically start to degrade in higher temperatures.
Working with PETG can present some challenges when struggling with larger, more advanced prints. Thus, learning the basics of glueing PETG is a useful skill to have. In this guide, we provide an overview of various options available when it comes to glueing PETG. Depending on your application and desired outcome, each of these products can offer different mechanical and aesthetic results. Having the knowledge to select the most suitable option for each task means that you’ll be ready for any situation you come across with your prints
Let’s start by examining why you would want to glue your PETG prints.
Why Use Glue for PETG 3D Prints?
Glueing PETG is essential since it is a terrific technique to increase the durability and aesthetic appeal of your 3D-printed models. It lets you create designs that are more accurate and complicated, such as components that must be divided into multiple pieces for printing. By adhering these elements together after printing, the model becomes far more durable and accurate.
To simplify, splitting and glueing you can create prints of unsurpassed beauty and strength. Through optimization of the printing orientation for each part, it is possible to minimize overhangs and steep slopes, which results in a print with cleaner details and minimized waste. Even with only a single extruder printer, varied colours can be employed since the parts are split into separate pieces. However, there is more to it than just aesthetics; using this technique also allows you to tune the settings of each part so that the maximum strength is achieved upon assembly.
Knowing how to glue properly is a valuable skill for anyone with a printer. It allows you to bring designs onto items that would otherwise be too large for your printer, significantly increasing its value and versatility. This approach is particularly useful for cosplay enthusiasts, who use it to construct full-scale costume models in amazing detail. Instead of having to turn to costly printing services or expensive 3D printers, this technique can easily save them time and money while allowing them to really flex their creative muscles.
Let’s get started with our ranking of the top PETG glues and the recommended applications for each one. Watch for the variations that make them suitable for various uses.
3D Gloop! PET – The PETG Gloop
Our list begins with a selection from the well-known 3D Gloop! company. Their unique formulation for PET, PETG and other co-polyester blends is called PET Gloop. It has high adhesive strength in a very sticky form and is useful as both a glue and a bed adhesive.
3D Gloop! says that their product is made to “provide the strongest bond between two 3D printed PETG parts, period.” Their adhesive promises to ensure a secure connection in one simple solution – and best of all, it works. With a high-powered PET Gloop glue, the combination of both parts creates an unbelievably strong joint that is sure to last for years.
- Surface preparation: Prepare the surface by sanding, cleaning, and degreasing it.
- Usage notes: Put a lot of Gloop on both sides before you press or clamp them together. Before using, give it a good shake and let it sit for at least an hour. If you want to use it as bed glue, don’t put it on PEI or textured build platforms.
- Safety: Use in a well-ventilated area and avoid getting it on your skin or clothes. Put on gloves. When working with larger amounts, it’s best to wear a respirator.
Super Glue
Our next item to discuss is cyanoacrylate, better known as CA glue or super glue, which is a great go-to when completing everyday repair jobs. As the most convenient adhesive out there, it gets the job done with ease and can be found just about anywhere. Furthermore, its ability to set quickly is incredibly useful – it has even been used as a temporary clamp while stronger glue sets in place. While this type of adhesive may not be considered the strongest or most durable of choices, it’s easy to use and quite effective for various crafts and DIY projects.
It’s widely available in a range of viscosities so you can select the one that best suits your project, and it bonds surfaces quickly with no mess. Thinner formulations are perfect for getting into those hard-to-reach places and creating virtually invisible seams, while thicker versions are ideal for helping you line up components when assembling objects without having to worry about them slipping out of place.
It also offers high-temperature resistance, which makes it ideal for bonding plastic polymers such as PETG. Creating mood vases using an inkjet printer and PETG filament is a great example of harnessing super glue’s properties. Not only is super glue easy to use and low cost, but it also takes relatively little time for curing
- Surface preparation: Prepare the surface by sanding, cleaning, and degreasing it.
- Usage notes: Apply as necessary. Utilize an accelerator for an immediate set. Utilization may result in the appearance of a white haze on print surfaces (see image).
- Safety: Use in a well-ventilated area and avoid getting it on your skin or clothes. Put on gloves. When working with larger amounts, it’s best to wear a respirator.
Polyurethane Glue
Consider polyurethane glue if you need something stronger and more durable. it is an ideal choice for those who need something a little stronger than regular adhesives. It’s a multi-purpose adhesive, so you can use it to fix almost anything that needs sticking together. Best of all, this glue is waterproof and extremely durable since it can be used in both rigid and flexible materials.
The benefits of 3D printing with polyurethane, such as its strength and durability, come with a drawback-the material tends to expand during its setting process. This is great for structural strength, but in applications where aesthetics are important, it may be quite damaging because unsightly seams can form that is larger than the design specifies and lead to obvious dimensional irregularities. It is for this reason that in aesthetic projects, other materials may be more suitable than polyurethane.
Because of how PETG works, it’s a great choice for projects like an outdoor Goosebumps witch that will be in the Florida heat. With the size and weight of the model, polyurethane glue is a great choice because it is strong.
- Surface preparation: Prepare bonding surfaces by sanding, washing, and degreasing them. Use a wet cloth to dampen one of the bonding surfaces.
- Usage notes: Apply a lot of glue to the dry surface, as a good bond needs thickness. Lock it up and let it sit for at least one to two hours.
- Safety: Use in a well-ventilated area and avoid getting it on your skin or clothes. Put on gloves. When working with larger amounts, it’s best to wear a respirator.
Silicone Adhesive
If you’re looking for a similar alternative to polyurethane, then silicone adhesive is a great choice. It offers the same flexibility and weather resistance as polyurethane without the need for costly equipment or special curing conditions. However, it does require a thicker coat to bond properly and takes much longer to cure – up to several hours in some cases – than polyurethane does.
That’s why it’s important to look for products with the RTV label – “room-temperature-vulcanizing” – which can normally cure at room temperature without having to use separate curing agents. With this type of silicone adhesive, you’ll save precious time without sacrificing any of its benefits!
- Surface preparation: Prepare the surface by sanding, cleaning, and degreasing it.
- Usage notes: Hold your parts together while they dry. Curing times vary, but they usually take a few hours. The best way to figure out what to do is to follow the instructions on the product.
- Safety: Use in a well-ventilated area and avoid getting it on your skin or clothes. Put on gloves. When working with larger amounts, it’s best to wear a respirator.
Epoxy
Epoxy is yet another strong and useful glue. It is still very strong, but it is a little more like super glue in that it is easy to find and use. This makes it a great choice for making strong bonds that can hold a lot of weight.
Unlike other glue options, epoxy typically comes in two parts that need to be mixed together before applying it; this activates the product and gives you a few minutes to set it in place. When these two components are combined, the epoxy begins to dry quickly, allowing you to carry on with your project after only a few minutes or hours. However, a full cure may not be achieved until more than 24 hours have passed.
- Surface preparation: Prepare the surface by sanding, cleaning, and degreasing it.
- Usage notes: Make sure you know how long your epoxy gives you to work with it, and work quickly so it doesn’t set before it’s in place. Before applying the epoxy, mix it on a disposable surface, like cardboard, or in a disposable container, like a plastic cup.
- Safety: Use in a well-ventilated area and avoid getting it on your skin or clothes. Put on gloves. When working with larger amounts, it’s best to wear a respirator.
Hot Glue
We’ve emphasized strength, but what if you merely need ease? If strength isn’t your primary goal, hot glue is a great choice! Not only is it affordable, but it’s also easy to use and efficient. It’s perfect for light-duty applications where you need just enough hold without having to go through the hassle of using more permanent adhesives.
Hot glue is an ideal solution and can be applied within minutes – making the process quick and simple. Plus, with its elastic properties, it can handle light movement around joints without coming undone.
- Surface preparation: Prepare the surface by sanding, cleaning, and degreasing it.
- Usage notes: You can speed up the cooling process by spraying from an upside-down can of compressed air. This releases liquid refrigerant for a hold that is almost instantaneous. When denatured alcohol is used, like with a syringe, it is easy to break bonds.
- Safety: You must keep your fingers in check.
Bheema Shankar
I am Bheema Shankar. I have worked on SLS, CJP, DLP, SLA and FDM technologies at Think3D. Currently working as Process and application engineer at VEER-O-METALS PRIVATE LIMITED. I am always fascinated by the process of creating things layer by layer. This fascination led me to pursue a career in 3D printing technology. I am passionate about how 3D works and enjoy exploring new ways to improve the 3D printing process.
