PPA ESD (ESD / conductive)
Grade
also Amodel, Grivory
Specify for fuel-system, electronics-handling or paint-line parts requiring controlled surface resistivity at high temperature.
Values for the ESD condition
Other PPA grades and fills
PPA is listed in 13 conditions; see the grade overview at PPA.
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 | — |
ESDThis page 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 ESD?
PPA ESD is PPA in the ESD grade — specify for fuel-system, electronics-handling or paint-line parts requiring controlled surface resistivity at high temperature. PPA ESD has a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi), stronger than 97% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.8% and the elastic modulus is 10.5 GPa (1.52 Msi). PPA ESD 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). GF30 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; ESD is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Conducts heat well — 0.5 W/m·K (0.289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of polymer grades
- Stiff — 10.5 GPa (1.52 Msi), better than 95% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.3%, better than 90% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 165°C (329 °F), better than 81% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1.8%, worse than 97% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 7/100, worse than 91% 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 ESD properties
Typical room-temperature values for PPA ESD; 27 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are PPA reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Physical5
PPA ESD 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 ESD has a tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi), stronger than 97% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.8% and the elastic modulus is 10.5 GPa (1.52 Msi).
Thermal10
PPA ESD is rated for continuous service to 165°C (329 °F). It conducts heat at 0.5 W/m·K (0.289 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 98% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 22 µm/m·K (12.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PPA ESD is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 28 kV/mm (711.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 1,000 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (80/100), worse than 52% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PPA ESD 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 ESD's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 78% of polymer grades); weldability poor (32/100); formability not recommended (7/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with PPA ESD
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.
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.
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) | — |
PPA ESD — frequently asked
What is PPA ESD used for?
PPA ESD 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 ESD?
PPA ESD has a typical tensile strength of 170 MPa (24.7 ksi) — stronger than 97% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is PPA ESD easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 78% 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 ESD be welded?
Not readily — weldability is rated poor (32/100). 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 ESD?
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 ESD 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 ESD?
PPA ESD is rated for continuous use to about 165°C (329 °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.
Can FabDigit make parts in PPA ESD?
Yes — PPA ESD 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. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.