PPA · grade
PPA-IM
Properties of the IM condition, compared with the other PPA grades.
Use for snap fits, clips and parts seeing impact or cold-temperature shock, accepting lower stiffness and HDT.
What is PPA-IM?
PPA-IM is PPA in the IM grade — use for snap fits, clips and parts seeing impact or cold-temperature shock, accepting lower stiffness and HDT. PPA-IM has a tensile strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi), stronger than 88% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 4.5 GPa (0.653 Msi). PPA-IM has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 123°C (253 °F). GF30 is the default condition FabDigit quotes; IM is available on request or by drawing note.
Advantages
- Stiff — 4.5 GPa (0.653 Msi), better than 87% of polymer grades
- Conducts heat well — 0.32 W/m·K (0.185 BTU/hr·ft·°F), better than 87% of polymer grades
- Low, predictable mold shrinkage — 0.35%, better than 87% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 170°C (338 °F), better than 82% of polymer grades
Limitations
- 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
PPA-IM properties
Typical room-temperature values for PPA-IM — 9 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-IM has a density of 1.2 g/cm³ (0.0434 lb/in³), heavier than 56% of polymer grades. Its glass-transition temperature is 123°C (253 °F).
Mechanical9
PPA-IM has a tensile strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi), stronger than 88% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 20% and the elastic modulus is 4.5 GPa (0.653 Msi).
Thermal10
PPA-IM 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 87% of polymer grades. Thermal expansion is 22 µm/m·K (12.2 µin/in·°F).
Electrical7
PPA-IM 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 54% of polymer grades. UV resistance is fair.
Sustainability4
Producing a kilogram of PPA-IM 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-IM's machinability is good (65/100, better than 66% 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-IM
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-IM — frequently asked
What is PPA-IM used for?
PPA-IM 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-IM?
PPA-IM has a typical tensile strength of 95 MPa (13.8 ksi) — stronger than 88% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 13 listed tempers.
Is PPA-IM easy to machine?
Reasonably — machinability is rated good (65/100, better than 66% 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-IM 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-IM?
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-IM 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-IM?
PPA-IM 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-IM?
Yes — PPA-IM 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.