PET sheet

What are PET sheets?

PET sheets (polyethylene terephthalate) in natural-black are thermoplastic semi-finished products characterised by high strength, rigidity and excellent wear resistance.

They are offered in both natural and black versions and provide specific advantages depending on the variant. The combination of mechanical stability and chemical resistance makes PET sheets a versatile material for industrial applications.

PET is known for its low moisture absorption, its excellent dimensional stability and its high thermal and chemical resistance. The black variant offers additional advantages such as improved UV stability and an elegant appearance, which also makes it attractive for visible applications.

Because of these properties, they are widely used in both technical and decorative projects.

Processing of PET sheets

PET sheets can be processed extremely versatilely. The common machining methods include:

• Drilling: Possible with precision and without cracking, ideal for assembly parts.
• Milling: Provides smooth edges and enables complex shapes.
• Turning: Particularly suitable for cylindrical components and precision parts.
• Sawing: Suitable for rough cut pieces or adapted formats.
• Cutting: Simple adjustments directly on the material.
• Thermoforming: Enables the production of bent or shaped elements.
• Bonding: Use of special adhesives for durable joints.
• Welding: For stable and long-lasting material joints.

Thanks to these comprehensive processing options, PET sheets are suitable for a wide range of projects, from simple cut pieces to highly precise technical components. In addition, the low thermal expansion of the material ensures consistent dimensional accuracy, even under load or temperature fluctuations.

Trade names of PET sheets

PET sheets are available under various trade names, including Ertalyte®, TECAPET® and Hostaphan®. This variety guarantees broad availability and consistently high quality. The sheets can be supplied in various thicknesses, formats and colours. Custom-made products, such as specific thicknesses, UV-resistant coatings or additional colours, are possible on request.

Contact us at info@martan.de for individual requirements. We also offer special cut pieces that are tailored precisely to your requirements. This means that even complex projects can be realised with minimal effort.

PET sheets cut to size

A key advantage of PET sheets is the option of having individual cut pieces made to size. This allows material waste to be reduced and processing times to be shortened. The sheets are ideal for applications such as:

• Sliding guides: High wear resistance ensures a long service life.
• Machine parts: Perfect stability and precision, even under load.
• Construction elements: Suitable for load-bearing and functional components.
• Precision parts: Optimum dimensional accuracy for technical applications.

Tailor-made cut pieces offer maximum flexibility for specialised projects in a wide range of industries. Particularly in the food and pharmaceutical industries, where high demands are placed on hygiene and resistance, PET sheets are a preferred choice.

In addition, cut pieces can be supplied with special surface finishes, such as ground or polished surfaces for visually demanding applications.

Comparison with other plastics

PET sheets stand out through a combination of properties that distinguishes them from other engineering plastics. They offer an outstanding balance between strength, wear resistance and chemical resistance.

Property	PET sheets	POM sheets (polyoxymethylene)	PA sheets (polyamide)
Dimensional stability	Very high	High	Medium
Moisture absorption	Low	Very low	High
Chemical resistance	Very good	Good	Good
Abrasion resistance	High	High	Medium
Temperature resistance	Medium	High	Medium

Compared with materials such as POM and PA, PET offers better dimensional stability and lower moisture absorption, which makes it ideal for applications requiring the highest precision and resistance. In areas where chemical resistance and dimensional accuracy are crucial, such as in the automotive, mechanical engineering or electronics industries, PET is the first choice.

Furthermore, compared with other plastics, PET is often more cost-effective, particularly when tailor-made cut pieces or smaller quantities are required. This makes it economically attractive for both large projects and smaller applications.

With the diverse advantages that PET sheets in natural-black offer, they are an optimal solution for numerous industrial and decorative applications. Whether as a standard format or an individual cut piece – PET convinces through quality, flexibility and cost-effectiveness.

Properties

PET sheets are characterised by the following properties:

• High strength and rigidity: Suitable for mechanically loaded components.
• Low moisture absorption: Ideal for applications in humid environments.
• Outstanding wear resistance: Long-lasting, even under intensive stress.
• Thermal stability: Use possible across a broad temperature range.
• Chemical resistance: Resistant to many chemicals, oils and greases.
• Good machinability: Easy to cut, drill, mill and thermally form.
• Food-safe: Many variants meet the requirements of the FDA and EU for contact with food.

Applications

PET sheets in natural-black are used in numerous industries and applications:

• Mechanical engineering: For sliding guides, bearing bushes and precision parts.
• Automotive industry: As components with high chemical and thermal resistance.
• Food industry: For hygienic applications and conveyor systems.
• Electrical engineering: As insulation material and for highly precise components.
• Packaging industry: In the form of stable and lightweight packaging elements.
• Medical technology: Suitable for sensitive applications due to its resistance and sterilizability.
• Construction industry: For long-lasting and load-bearing construction elements.

Thanks to their versatility and resistance, PET sheets are ideal for demanding applications where precision, hygiene and durability are required.

FAQ on PET sheets in natural-black

What advantages do PET sheets offer compared with other plastics? PET sheets convince through their high strength, low moisture absorption and chemical resistance. Compared with polyamide (PA), they are less susceptible to moisture absorption, and compared with polyoxymethylene (POM), they offer better dimensional stability.

Are PET sheets food-safe? Yes, many variants of PET sheets meet the requirements of the FDA and the EU regulation for contact with food.

Which machining methods are suitable for PET sheets? PET sheets can be individually adapted by drilling, milling, turning, sawing, cutting, thermoforming, bonding and welding.

In which thicknesses are PET sheets available? The standard thicknesses range from 1 mm to 100 mm; special thicknesses are possible on request.

For which applications are black PET sheets particularly suitable? Black PET sheets are ideal for visible applications, UV-exposed environments and for components that must also meet visual requirements.

Technical data

PET sheets offer a broad range of technical features that predestine them for a wide variety of applications:

• Material density: approx. 1.38 g/cm³
• Temperature resistance: -20 °C to +115 °C (short-term up to +140 °C)
• Moisture absorption: Low (0.2 % at saturation)
• Chemical resistance: Outstanding against oils, greases, weak acids and bases
• Coefficient of friction: Low
• Electrical properties: Good insulator
• Mechanical strength: Very high, with a tensile strength of approx. 70 MPa
• Dimensions: Available as standard in thicknesses from 1 mm to 100 mm and in formats up to 2000 x 1000 mm