Comparison

PPA Standard vs Polycarbonate

A side-by-side comparison of Polyphthalamide Standard and Polycarbonate.

Physical

Density
1.25-1.35 g/cm³
1.20 g/cm³
Water Absorption (24h)
0.4-0.8 %
0.15 %
Transparency
Opaque
Transparent (88% light transmission)
Shrinkage
0.5-1.5 %
0.5 – 0.8 %

Mechanical

Young's Modulus
3.0-10.0 GPa (depending on filler)
2.3 – 2.4 GPa
Tensile Strength
70-150 MPa
60 – 70 MPa
Elongation at Break
5-50 %
100 – 150 %
Impact Strength (Izod)
10-40 kJ/m
600 – 900 J/m
Flexural Strength
90 – 100 MPa
Hardness (Rockwell M)
70

Thermal

Glass Transition Temperature
100-150 °C
147 °C
Melting Point
300-320 °C
Continuous Service Temperature
120-170 °C
115 – 130 °C
Heat Deflection Temperature
150-250 °C (1.8 MPa)
130 – 140 °C
Thermal Conductivity
0.20 W/m·K
CTE
65 – 70 × 10⁻⁶ /K

Electrical

Dielectric Constant
3.8-4.5
2.9 – 3.0
Volume Resistivity
10^10-10^12 Ohm-cm
10¹⁶ Ω·cm
Dielectric Strength
15-20 kV/mm
15 kV/mm

Chemical resistance

Acids
Good
Bases
Good
Poor
Solvents
Good
UV Resistance
Fair
Poor (unless coated)
Acids (dilute)
Good
Alcohols
Fair
Oils
Good
Gasoline
Fair
Acetone
Poor (attacks)

Sustainability

Recyclability
Recyclable
Recyclable
Recycling Code
7 (Other)
7
Carbon Footprint
Moderate to High
~5 kg CO₂e / kg
Bio-based Content
0 – 50 % (bio grades)