Filament (FDM)
PPA 3D printing
PPA (polyphthalamide) is a high-performance polyamide; filled with carbon fiber it combines stiffness and heat resistance. We print it in Brescia with FDM.
What it is for
PPA-CF is used for stiff structural parts that work in heat: brackets and supports near engines, line tooling, jigs and fixtures that must not flex, parts that replace small aluminum components. Compared with common nylons it absorbs less moisture and keeps its stiffness and dimensions better.
It is a stiff material with little ductility: do not choose it for snap-fit clips, hinges or parts that take impacts, where an unfilled nylon is the better fit. Between layers it is much weaker than in the plane. For aggressive chemicals or higher temperatures move to PPS or PEEK.
Variants compared
| Property | PPA-CF (carbon fiber)Quote |
|---|---|
| Mechanical | |
| Tensile strengthISO 527, XY, state not given on the sheet, specimen not annealed | 168 MPa57 MPa Z, state not given on the sheet, specimen not annealed |
| Tensile modulusISO 527, XY, state not given on the sheet, specimen not annealed | 11,800 MPa4,300 MPa Z |
| Elongation at breakISO 527, XY, state not given on the sheet, specimen not annealed | 3.2%0.9% Z, state not given on the sheet, specimen not annealed |
| Flexural strengthISO 178, XY, state not given on the sheet, specimen not annealed | 208 MPa63 MPa Z |
| Flexural modulusISO 178, XY, state not given on the sheet, specimen not annealed | 9,860 MPa3,240 MPa Z |
| Charpy impact, notchedISO 179, XY, state not given on the sheet, specimen not annealed | 6.5 kJ/m² |
| Charpy impact, unnotchedISO 179, XY, state not given on the sheet, specimen not annealed | 41.7 kJ/m²4.3 kJ/m² Z |
| Thermal | |
| Heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 0.45 MPaISO 75 | 227 °C |
| Heat deflection temperature (HDT) at 1.8 MPaISO 75 | 196 °C |
| Glass transition (Tg)DSC, 10 °C/min | 85 °C |
| Melting point (Tm)DSC, 10 °C/min | 258 °C |
| Vicat softening temperatureISO 306 | 232 °C |
| Physical | |
| DensityISO 1183 | 1.25 g/cm³ |
| Water absorption | 1.3%standard not stated on the sheet |
| Source |
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Typical values from the makers' data sheets, measured on specimens under the conditions stated. They are not guaranteed design values: for a critical application ask us for a test on your part.
Treatments after printing
Annealing is available on request. The sheet's values are measured on specimens that were not annealed.
Annealing and filament drying are done in a Memmert oven at a controlled temperature.
Design limits
- Build volume
- 350 × 350 × 450 mm
- Minimum wall
- 3 mm
- Dimensional tolerance
- ±0.6 mm up to 100 mm, ±0.75% above
These are the limits of the process, the same for every variant unless stated. For critical dimensions, talk to us before printing.
Which variant to choose
PPA comes in a single variant, with carbon fiber. On the sheet's printed, unannealed specimens: tensile strength 168 MPa in XY and 57 MPa in Z, modulus 11800 MPa (ISO 527), heat deflection temperature 227 °C at 0.45 MPa (ISO 75).
Choose a carbon-fiber nylon if you need more toughness; PPS-CF if chemical resistance matters.
Data sheets
Filament maker's data sheet, V1.0, PDFread on 13 November 2026
Columns: PPA-CF (carbon fiber)
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
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