3D printing is here to stay. So too is every single thing that will be printed and discarded. IC3D is remodeling sustainability by reducing the environmental impact of additive manufacturing through the recycling of waste and discarded 3D prints into recycled 3D printing filament, starting with Recycled PETG (R-PETG).
R-PETG is sourced from industrial PETG resin once destined for the landfill and is the first material to be created by IC3D with a focus on environmental responsibility and sustainability. This post-industrial material is blended with colorants and additional recycled resin to create material that’s suitable for prototyping and large-format 3D printing thanks to its high flow rate, a wide range of 3D printing temperatures, and superb layer adhesion.
3D Printing Tips | Recycled PETG
Extrusion Temperature
Use an extrusion temperature of 210°C – 230°C (410°F – 446°F) for extruders with a brass nozzle, hotter if using hardened stainless steel.Application Specific Temperatures
Recycled PETG can be 3D printed at a wide temperature range, with your ideal printing temperature being a factor of printing speed and application. For crisp edges and clean overhangs start with the recommended lower temperature ranges.
Printing something large or with thick layers? Use the upper temperature range to take advantage of R-PETG’s high flow characteristics. R-PETG has excellent layer bonding and excels at 3D printing with macro layer heights above 1 mm.
Print Cooling Fans
Keep R-PETG cool & collected for crisp & clean parts. Set your fans—and your quality—to 100%.Turn it Up to 11
Recycled PETG flows really well, even more so at higher printing temperatures. Turn up your print cooling fan for clean overhangs and crisp walls and edges.
Print Surface Temperature
Approximately 70°C (~158°F)R-PETG Loves a Warm Print Bed
A heated print surface set to ~70°C (~158°F) will help keep your prints adhered to the print bed with little to no worry about warping thanks to R-PETG’s dimensional stability. Printed parts will release from the print surface with minimal encouragement once the print bed has cooled.
Print Surface Tips
PEI or bare glass with PVA as a release agent, PEX, PC, most print surfaces and treatments.Perfect for Beginners
Recycled PETG is easy to use and adheres well to many of the common 3D printing surfaces found on 3D printers across the market. R-PETG sticks well to bare glass and PEI—so much so that PVA-based white school glue needs to be applied as a release agent. We recommend using a PVA-based glue stick to apply a thin layer over the printing surface. R-PETG adheres well to other print surfaces, including Garolite, Polycarbonate, PEX, and more.
Recommended Drying Temperature
Expert 3D printer operators know, dry filament has the best performance. Dry R-PETG for several hours at 65°C (149°F) if left open for an extended period of time.Dry Before You Fly
Keep your 3D printing performance high by keeping your filament dry. Much like other 3D printing materials, R-PETG can absorb moisture from the air, leading to poor printing performance, and printed objects that need to be post-processed and cleaned. If your R-PETG prints begin to have wispy tendrils in between objects or walls, that’s a sure sign that your material needs to be dried. Whether you use a repurposed food dehydrator or something designed for 3D printing filament, several hours in a warm and dry environment will refresh your 3D printing performance.
Large Format 3D Printing
A high flow rate helps R-PETG excel at 3D printing large objectsPrint Hotter to Print Faster
Use hotter temperatures to reduce the printing time on large-scale prints. R-PETG has a high flow rate and excellent layer adhesion at the upper printing temperature range of approximately 230°C (446°F). Print the infill & inner walls first to keep your overhangs clean and crisp.
