PPA · reinforced grade
PPA-CF30
Properties of the CF30 condition, compared with the other PPA grades.
Use where highest specific stiffness, low CTE, static dissipation or lower density than glass-filled PPA is required.
What is PPA-CF30?
PPA-CF30 is PPA in the CF30 grade — use where highest specific stiffness, low CTE, static dissipation or lower density than glass-filled PPA is required. PPA-CF30 has a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), stronger than 100% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.6% and the elastic modulus is 22 GPa (3.19 Msi). PPA-CF30 has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 123°C (253 °F). GF30 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; CF30 is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 22 GPa (3.19 Msi), better than 100% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.75 W/m·K (0.433 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.2%, better than 95% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 170°C (338 °F), better than 82% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Limited ductility — 1.6%, worse than 97% of polymer grades
- Limited formability — 10/100, worse than 87% of polymer grades
- High embodied carbon — 8 kg CO₂/kg, worse than 83% of polymer grades
- Hard to polish — 30/100, worse than 80% of polymer grades
- Difficult to machine — 45/100, worse than 77% of polymer grades
PPA-CF30 properties
Typical room-temperature values for PPA-CF30 — 14 properties are specific to this condition; the rest are grade-level values shared by every PPA grade. Each bar shows where the value sits among the polymer grades in FabDigit's library — further right is higher.
Physical5
PPA-CF30 has a density of 1.35 g/cm³ (0.0488 lb/in³), heavier than 74% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 123°C (253 °F).
Mechanical9
PPA-CF30 has a tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi), stronger than 100% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 1.6% and the elastic modulus is 22 GPa (3.19 Msi).
Thermal10
PPA-CF30 is rated for continuous service to 170°C (338 °F). It conducts heat at 0.75 W/m·K (0.433 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 99% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 10 µm/m·K (5.56 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PPA-CF30 is an electrical insulator with a dielectric strength of 28 kV/mm (711.2 V/mil) and a resistivity of 10 Ω·m.
Chemical & Environmental3
Corrosion resistance is very good (82/100), better than 54% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PPA-CF30 takes about 140 MJ of energy and emits 8 kg of CO₂ — more than 82% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability7
PPA-CF30's machinability is fair (45/100, worse than 77% of polymer grades); weldability fair (40/100); formability not recommended (10/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Certified mill or lot data ships with every FabDigit order on request.
Other PPA grades and fills
PPA is also supplied in 12 other conditions. The full side-by-side table is on the PPA overview.
- GF30DefaultDefault workhorse PPA: high hot stiffness and HDT ≈285 °C for under-hood brackets, pump housings and SMT connectors.200 MPa tensile
- CF30Use where highest specific stiffness, low CTE, static dissipation or lower density than glass-filled PPA is required.250 MPa tensile
- GF50Choose for maximum stiffness/creep resistance in metal-replacement structural parts where anisotropic shrinkage can be tolerated.245 MPa tensile
- Heat StabilizedSpecify for long-term air exposure at 160–200 °C (turbo/charge-air, EGR, motor parts) where unstabilized PPA embrittles.200 MPa tensile
- FR-V0Required for electrical connectors, busbar and EV components needing UL 94 V-0 at 0.4–0.8 mm plus high CTI.170 MPa tensile
- GF15Compromise grade for thin-wall connectors needing some toughness plus moderate stiffness and low warpage.150 MPa tensile
- PTFE-LUBChoose for high-temperature sliding parts — gears, bushings, thrust washers — where dry-running friction and wear govern.150 MPa tensile
- MIN-GFPick for flat, dimensionally symmetric parts and better surface appearance where isotropic shrinkage beats peak stiffness.145 MPa tensile
- UnfilledPick when toughness, thin-wall flow or dielectric uniformity matters more than stiffness; rarely stocked because PPA is normally sold reinforced.100 MPa yield · 120 HRR
- DAMUnfilled injection-molded PPA tested dry-as-molded — stiffest, strongest state before moisture uptake.100 MPa yield · 100 HRM
- IMUse for snap fits, clips and parts seeing impact or cold-temperature shock, accepting lower stiffness and HDT.95 MPa tensile
- CONDUnfilled PPA after moisture conditioning to 50% RH equilibrium — lower stiffness and strength, higher ductility and toughness than dry-as-molded.75 MPa yield · 85 HRM
Working with PPA-CF30
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-CF30 — frequently asked
What is PPA-CF30 used for?
PPA-CF30 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-CF30?
PPA-CF30 has a typical tensile strength of 250 MPa (36.3 ksi) — stronger than 100% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is PPA-CF30 easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated fair (45/100, worse than 77% 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-CF30 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-CF30?
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-CF30 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-CF30?
PPA-CF30 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.
Can FabDigit make parts in PPA-CF30?
Yes — PPA-CF30 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.