Carbon-fibre reinforced PPA sits at the top of practical FFF engineering polymers for structural performance. The reference grade combines 168 MPa published tensile strength, almost 10 GPa flexural modulus and minimal wet-state property loss.
Material family names are not specifications. This page anchors the discussion to a named commercial grade and published printed-specimen data, then translates that data into practical selection and design guidance.
Carbon-fibre reinforced PPA sits at the top of practical FFF engineering polymers for structural performance. The reference grade combines 168 MPa published tensile strength, almost 10 GPa flexural modulus and minimal wet-state property loss.
Choose PPA-CF for the most highly loaded polymer fixtures and structural parts before moving to metal or higher-cost ultra-polymers.
Orientation, conditioning and geometry can move finished-part performance materially. Use these figures to compare candidate materials—not as guaranteed minimums.
| Property | Representative value | Test / context |
|---|---|---|
| Density | 1.25 g/cm³ | Manufacturer TDS |
| Tensile strength · dry | 168 ± 4 MPa | Manufacturer TDS |
| Elongation at break · dry | 3.2 ± 0.4% | Manufacturer TDS |
| Flexural modulus · XY dry | 9.86 ± 0.48 GPa | Manufacturer TDS |
| Flexural modulus · XY wet | 9.62 GPa | Manufacturer method |
| Flexural strength · XY dry | 208 ± 6 MPa | Manufacturer TDS |
| HDT · 0.45 MPa | 227°C | ISO 75 |
| Saturated moisture uptake | 1.30% · 25°C / 55% RH | Manufacturer method |
XY values normally represent flat-printed specimens. Z-direction strength can be substantially lower. Final production settings should be qualified on representative geometry.
A useful material choice starts with load case, temperature, environment, duty cycle and failure consequence—not the strongest number on a datasheet.