4 Signs Your 3D PETG Filament Has Gone Bad

3D printing filaments are some of the most durable materials in the world. With the ability to withstand hundreds of pounds worth of pressure and extremely high temperatures, you’d never think these substances have a weakness. However, if 3D printing is going to be a part of your business’s practices, it’s crucial to remember that they do have conditions where they don’t operate at their best. Even these materials can degrade, and it’s up to you to notice when this happens. Watch out for these four signs your 3D PETG filament has gone bad.

Damaged Printer Extruder

Your 3D printer’s extruder is the device that feeds your PETG filament through the printing nozzle. However, when your material is exposed to moisture, it can swell and take on different dimensions. This makes it difficult for it to fit through the nozzle, resulting in filament backup into the extruder itself. When left unaddressed, this can lead to severe damage and require you to replace the component entirely. So, if you’re having problems with your extruder, your filament’s condition could be to blame.

Faster Material Deterioration

Filaments exposed to moisture also experience faster deterioration after printing. Since the material’s already suffered damage, it takes less exposure to the elements to cause it to break down entirely. As such, you’ll want to keep track of how long it takes for your prints to go through this process. If it takes less time than it has in the past, you might be working with inefficient resources.

Lowered Tensile Strength

Parts printed with partially deteriorated materials tend to have lowered tensile strength as well. Though PETG works great for functioning prototypes and low-friction machine components, it doesn’t hold up to the stress once it has started breaking down from moisture. For this reason, you might find some of your current prints unreliable when exposed to stressful situations.

Reduced Quality 3D Prints

Though, one of the most noticeable indicators is the reduced appearance quality of your prints. Because the filament has swollen due to moisture, it’s more difficult for the separate layers to adhere together properly. This produces components with a rough finish, and they may even have several holes in their structure.

While quality PETG filament won’t deteriorate on its own, there are substances, such as water, that can weaken it. As such, it’s often better to replace damaged filaments before they can hinder your final product.

If you notice any of these signs that your 3D PETG filament has gone bad, Filamatrix has just what you need to get things running again. Our stock of PETG 3D printer filament is easy to print with and can generate high-strength, stiff parts as you need them. They also have a naturally smooth and glassy finish, which adds the perfect touch to a prototype model. For more information about our filaments, give us a call or visit our website.