PPA
also Amodel, Grivory
A high-performance semi-aromatic polyamide with aromatic diacids replacing part of the aliphatic backbone, giving higher heat resistance, stiffness and dimensional stability than standard nylons for demanding under-hood and electronics use.
Values for the GF30 condition
PPA grades and fills
PPA is supplied in 13 conditions, soft to hard. GF30 is the default FabDigit quotes; the values on this page are for it.
Compare all 13 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conditioned | Unfilled PPA after moisture conditioning to 50% RH equilibrium — lower stiffness and strength, higher ductility and toughness than dry-as-molded. | 75 | 80 | 40 | 85 HRM |
Impact-modified (toughened) PPA | Use for snap fits, clips and parts seeing impact or cold-temperature shock, accepting lower stiffness and HDT. | 85 | 95 | 20 | 79 Shore D |
neat PPA injection resin | Pick when toughness, thin-wall flow or dielectric uniformity matters more than stiffness; rarely stocked because PPA is normally sold reinforced. | 100 | 105 | 20 | 120 HRR |
Dry-as-Molded | Unfilled injection-molded PPA tested dry-as-molded — stiffest, strongest state before moisture uptake. | 100 | 105 | 15 | 100 HRM |
MIN/GF hybrid | Pick for flat, dimensionally symmetric parts and better surface appearance where isotropic shrinkage beats peak stiffness. | 145 | 2.5 | ||
15% glass fiber reinforced | Compromise grade for thin-wall connectors needing some toughness plus moderate stiffness and low warpage. | 150 | 3.5 | ||
PTFE/lubricated bearing grade (GF + PTFE or silicone) | Choose for high-temperature sliding parts — gears, bushings, thrust washers — where dry-running friction and wear govern. | 150 | 2 | 85 Shore D | |
halogen-free flame retardant, GF reinforced | Required for electrical connectors, busbar and EV components needing UL 94 V-0 at 0.4–0.8 mm plus high CTI. | 170 | 1.8 | ||
ESD / conductive | Specify for fuel-system, electronics-handling or paint-line parts requiring controlled surface resistivity at high temperature. | 170 | 1.8 | 87 Shore D | |
GF30Default 30–33% glass fiber reinforced | Default workhorse PPA: high hot stiffness and HDT ≈285 °C for under-hood brackets, pump housings and SMT connectors. | 200 | 2.2 | ||
GF-reinforced with high-temperature aging package | Specify for long-term air exposure at 160–200 °C (turbo/charge-air, EGR, motor parts) where unstabilized PPA embrittles. | 200 | 2.2 | ||
45–50% glass fiber reinforced | Choose for maximum stiffness/creep resistance in metal-replacement structural parts where anisotropic shrinkage can be tolerated. | 245 | 1.9 | ||
30% carbon fiber reinforced | Use where highest specific stiffness, low CTE, static dissipation or lower density than glass-filled PPA is required. | 250 | 1.6 |
What is PPA?
A high-performance semi-aromatic polyamide with aromatic diacids replacing part of the aliphatic backbone, giving higher heat resistance, stiffness and dimensional stability than standard nylons for demanding under-hood and electronics use. PPA has a density of 1.45 g/cm³ (0.0524 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 123°C (253 °F). PPA has a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi), stronger than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.2% and the elastic modulus is 11 GPa (1.6 Msi).
What is PPA used for?
- Under-hood engine components
- Electrical connectors for lead-free reflow
- Coolant and thermostat housings
- Sensor bodies and housings
- Structural brackets replacing die castings
- Fuel system components
- LED and power electronics housings
Advantages
- Stiff — 11 GPa (1.6 Msi), better than 97% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.32 W/m·K (0.185 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.35%, better than 86% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 170°C (338 °F), better than 83% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 2.2%, worse than 92% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- Heavy — 1.45 g/cm³ (0.0524 lb/in³), worse than 86% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 82% of polymer grades
PPA properties
Typical room-temperature values for PPA-GF30; bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PPA has a density of 1.45 g/cm³ (0.0524 lb/in³), heavier than 86% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 123°C (253 °F).
Mechanical9
PPA has a tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi), stronger than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 2.2% and the elastic modulus is 11 GPa (1.6 Msi).
Thermal10
PPA is rated for continuous service to 170°C (338 °F). It conducts heat at 0.32 W/m·K (0.185 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 88% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 22 µm/m·K (12.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PPA is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 28 kV/mm (711.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 56% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PPA takes about 140 MJ of energy and emits 8 kg of CO₂ — more than 81% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
PPA's machinability is fair (50/100, worse than 73% of polymer grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Common Calculations4
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Strength versus weight in the polymer family
Yield strength against density for every polymer grade FabDigit runs. PPA is highlighted; hover a dot for its name, or open the interactive family chart.
Working with PPA
Is PPA easy to machine?
Machine with sharp carbide or PCD tooling, high speed and light feed; glass fiber is abrasive and dust must be extracted — best used as-molded to near-net shape.
Can PPA be welded?
No solvent or hot-gas welding; use ultrasonic, laser (natural/carbon-black pairs) or heat-staking, and expect reduced strength across fiber-poor weld lines.
Can PPA be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.10% moisture (80–100 °C, 4–8 h in desiccant dryer), melt 320–345 °C with hot-runner or insulated nozzle, mold 135–165 °C for full crystallinity and best HDT.
Manufacturability
The process limits FabDigit's quote engine applies to PPA. Design inside these and the part quotes instantly; outside them it routes to an engineer.
Injection molding
| Mold shrinkage | — |
|---|---|
| Wall thickness | — – — |
| Recommended draft | — |
| Pre-drying | — |
PPA chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| glass fiberchopped E-glass, aminosilane sized; 30% in default GF30 grade | 0 – 50 | 30 |
| carbon fiberin CF grades only | 0 – 30 | 0 |
| mineral filler (talc/wollastonite/kaolinlow-warpage hybrid grades | 0 – 40 | 0 |
| heat stabilizers, lubricants, pigment (cpackage varies by grade | 0.5 – 4 | 1.5 |
| halogen-free flame retardant (phosphinatFR V-0 grades only | 0 – 20 | 0 |
| hexamethylene terephthalamide/adipamide terephthalic (and/or isophthalic) acid + adipic acid with hexamethylenediamine / 2-MPMD | ≥ 45 (balance) |
What surface finishes work on PPA?
Takes paint/adhesive after plasma or flame treatment; laser marking is clean, plating is unusual, and fiber bloom limits high-gloss cosmetic surfaces.
Surface treatments FabDigit runs on polymer parts — pick them in the quote configurator or call them out on the drawing. Each links to its datasheet in the surface-finish library (thickness, specs, call-out, material verdicts).
Injection Molding Coating
Metallization / Functional
Equivalent designations
Standards and trade names that resolve to PPA in FabDigit's catalog. Equivalence is nominal — check the exact specification when certification matters.
- Trade names
- AmodelGrivory
- Also called
- Polyphthalamide
How much does PPA cost?
PPA is a specialty-cost polymer ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
PPA — frequently asked
What is PPA used for?
PPA is typically used for under-hood engine components, electrical connectors for lead-free reflow, coolant and thermostat housings, sensor bodies and housings, structural brackets replacing die castings and fuel system components. In short: high-performance glass-filled nylon.
What is the tensile strength of PPA?
PPA has a typical tensile strength of 200 MPa (29 ksi) — stronger than 99% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is PPA easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (50/100, worse than 73% of polymer grades). Machine with sharp carbide or PCD tooling, high speed and light feed; glass fiber is abrasive and dust must be extracted — best used as-molded to near-net shape.
Can PPA be welded?
With care — weldability is rated fair (40/100). No solvent or hot-gas welding; use ultrasonic, laser (natural/carbon-black pairs) or heat-staking, and expect reduced strength across fiber-poor weld lines.
What surface finishes work on PPA?
Takes paint/adhesive after plasma or flame treatment; laser marking is clean, plating is unusual, and fiber bloom limits high-gloss cosmetic surfaces.
Can PPA be formed, bent or molded?
Dry to <0.10% moisture (80–100 °C, 4–8 h in desiccant dryer), melt 320–345 °C with hot-runner or insulated nozzle, mold 135–165 °C for full crystallinity and best HDT.
What is the maximum service temperature of PPA?
PPA is rated for continuous use to about 170°C (338 °F), and briefly to 250°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
What is the difference between PPA GF30 and PPA DAM?
GF30 is the default condition — default workhorse PPA: high hot stiffness and HDT ≈285 °C for under-hood brackets, pump housings and SMT connectors. DAM: unfilled injection-molded PPA tested dry-as-molded — stiffest, strongest state before moisture uptake.
How much does PPA cost?
PPA is a specialty-cost polymer ($$$$$), pricier than about 99% of the materials FabDigit quotes. Part price depends far more on geometry, tolerance and quantity than on the raw stock — upload a CAD file for a live quote.
Can FabDigit make parts in PPA?
Yes — PPA is available for injection molding with instant online pricing. Upload a STEP file to get a price and a DFM check.
Sources
- Amodel PPA product and design guide (A-1133 HS, A-1145 HS, AS-1133, AFA grades) — Solvay/Syensqo (2023)
- Zytel HTN / Vydyne semi-aromatic PA (PPA) datasheets — DuPont / Ascend (2023)
- CAMPUS plastics database — PA6T/6I and PA6T/66 GF grades — CWFG (2024)
- ISO 527 / ISO 178 / ISO 75 test methods for plastics — ISO (2019)
- Engineering Plastics Handbook — high-temperature polyamides — McGraw-Hill (2006)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison; hardness values on non-Brinell scales are converted approximately for charting only. Manufacturability limits are FabDigit quote-engine defaults and may be relaxed by engineering review. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.