PPA

Nylon for places with oil or solvents.

PPA unfilled, PPA-GF and PPA-CF printed to order. For parts that meet oil or solvents, next to a drive or inside a machine.

Ordinary nylons are tough, but they take up moisture and soften as the temperature climbs. PPA is a nylon family for oil and solvents. Unfilled PPA is not a high temperature material: once it has taken up moisture it holds about 50 C without load and about 35 C under load (the heat deflection temperature from the manufacturer minus a 10 C margin). Only the glass and carbon grades take more heat, and only really after annealing, which we do on request.

That makes it usable where a printed part meets oil or solvent: in a drive or inside a machine. Tell us the temperature and the load, because that decides which of the three grades fits.

Three grades

Unfilled, glass or carbon.

PPA unfilled

The least brittle of the three. About 50 C without load and 35 C under load, the damp values: it loses stiffness and heat resistance as it absorbs moisture. Values are as printed; the manufacturer advises against annealing. Choose this when the part has to give a little and stays cool.

PPA-GF

Glass fibre lifts the heat resistance a long way, but only after annealing, which we do on request: then about 175 C without load and 100 C under load. As printed it is about 70 C without load and 70 C under load. The middle road, and usually the right one.

PPA-CF

The stiffest: as printed about 70 C without load and 70 C under load; with annealing on request about 180 C without load and 105 C under load. Carbon fibre does make it more brittle, so choose this only when deflection is worse than breakage.

Typical work: brackets and holders where oil or solvent is around, guides and stops inside machines, and other parts that meet oil or solvent.

Not sure which of the three? Say what the part has to withstand and how bad deflection would be. Heat decides between unfilled and reinforced; whether it may give decides between glass and carbon.

A part for oil or solvents?

With a 3D file, the quote tool shows your price straight away. Just a photo with dimensions? Email it to info@nworks3d.be and you will hear which of the three fits.