PETG is a popular material for 3D printing, but poses a challenge when it comes to bonding. Many adhesives adhere well at first, but lose strength over time. YouTuber Cosel tested a range of adhesives to find out which provide the strongest bonds.
For the test, flat PETG surfaces were printed and bonded with different adhesives. After a week of curing, the samples were clamped onto a tensile device to measure the force required to release the bond. Two scenarios occurred: Either the adhesive layer broke, or the PETG itself tore apart – the latter indicating a particularly strong bond.
The results show major differences. Two-component epoxy resins and some super glues (instant adhesives) often caused the PETG to break before the adhesive gave way. Other adhesives, including wood glue and universal all-purpose adhesives, achieved only low bond strengths. Interestingly, the tested superglues differed significantly in their effectiveness.
A polyurethane construction adhesive (Bostik P580), which is commonly used for construction applications, offered the best hold. Methyl methacrylate (MMA) also achieved high values. At the lower end of the scale were wood glue and some universal adhesives, which only withstood low tensile forces.
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