PA46 vs PPA
Polymer · grade comparison
PA46 and PPA are both polymer grades. PPA is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for PA46, about 100% more. In exchange, PA46 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 2.2% for PPA. PA46 is lighter (1.18 g/cm³ vs 1.45 g/cm³ for PPA) and PPA is stiffer (11 GPa vs 3.3 GPa). On the shop floor, PA46 machines more easily (good vs fair), PA46 welds better (very good vs fair), and PA46 sits in a lower cost tier (high, $$$$) than PPA (specialty, $$$$$).
PA46Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.
PPAChoose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.
PA46 vs PPA: propertiesHow to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
How to read these bars
- One bar per material. A full bar is the highest value among all polymer grades in the FabDigit library; each bar is drawn as a share of that.
- The better value (by the usual engineering direction) is in bold. Rows with no direction — density, thermal conductivity — have no bold.
- Values are typical room-temperature figures for the condition named on each card.
- Confirm against the certified mill or resin datasheet before design release.
Mechanical
Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.
Elastic (Young's) Modulus
Shear Modulus
Poisson's Ratio
Tensile Strength (Ultimate)
Yield Strength (0.2% offset)
Elongation at Break
Compressive Strength
Flexural Strength
Flexural Modulus
Izod Impact, Notched
Hardness, Shore D
Hardness, Rockwell M
Hardness, Rockwell R
Physical
Density and transition temperatures.
Density
Melting Temperature (Tm)
Glass Transition (Tg)
Water Absorption (24 h)
Water Absorption (Saturation)
Thermal
How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.
Thermal Conductivity
Specific Heat Capacity
Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)
Max Service Temperature (continuous)
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa
Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa
Vicat Softening Point (B50)
Limiting Oxygen Index
Max Service Temperature (short-term)
Same in both: Min Service Temperature -40°C-40 °F
Electrical
Conductivity and insulation.
Electrical Resistivity
Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)
Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)
Volume Resistivity
Surface Resistivity
Same in both: Dielectric Strength 28 kV/mm711 V/mil · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 600 V
Chemical & Environmental
Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).
Corrosion Resistance
UV / Weathering Resistance
Manufacturability
FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.
Machinability
Weldability
Formability (cold)
Polishability
Mold Shrinkage
Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)
Mold Temperature (typ.)
Sustainability
Primary-production footprint per kilogram.
Embodied Energy (primary production)
Embodied Carbon (primary production)
Embodied Water
Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%
Common Calculations
Ratios derived from the values above.
Specific Strength (UTS / density)
Specific Stiffness (E / density)
Thermal Diffusivity
Same in both: Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0
Strength versus weight
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.
Manufacturing and finishing
| Capability | PA46 | PPA |
|---|---|---|
| Injection molding | — | Yes |
| Default condition | — | GF30 |
| Relative cost | $$$$ High | $$$$$ Specialty |
| Min. machined wall | — | — |
| Best machined surface | — | — |
| Chrome Plating (Plastic) | — | Yes |
| EMI Shielding Coating | — | Yes |
| Soft Touch Coating | — | Yes |
| Spray Painting | — | Yes |
| UV Coating | — | Yes |
PA46 vs PPA — frequently asked
Is PPA stronger than PA46?
Yes. PPA has a typical tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) against 100 MPa (14.5 ksi) for PA46 — about 100% more.
Which is cheaper, PA46 or PPA?
PA46 is the lower-cost material: it sits in the high tier ($$$$) while PPA is specialty ($$$$$). Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Which is easier to machine, PA46 or PPA?
PA46. Its machinability rates good (65/100) against fair (50/100) for PPA; for welding the order is PA46 first (very good, 70/100) then PPA (fair, 40/100).
Ready to make it?
Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in PA46 and PPA side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.
Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.