The spec, the chemistry, the V-0 flame story, and where PPS-GF actually wins · cross-checked against the manufacturer's TDS V1.1, written by the team that prints it.
PPS-GF flame retardant 3D printing service · UK · quoted in 6 hours.
Holds its shape past 230°C, flame-rated and chemical-proof · the affordable high-temp grade.
Four quick visuals. Start with which material to pick and where PPS-GF works; the engineering detail is at the end if you want it.
Stiffness-critical fixtures in humid service · dimensional jigs that hold tolerance through humidity cycles · electrical insulators · hydrocarbon-resistant brackets
PPS's repeating aromatic ring plus sulfide linkage is the same backbone behind industrial chemical-plant piping. Far fewer water-attackable sites than nylon amide chains · 0.11% equilibrium water absorption. CF aligns with extrusion · drives 2.80× XY/Z anisotropy.
2.80× tensile XY/Z (64.1 / 22.9 MPa) · highest in our entire range (above PET-CF 2.36×, PA12-CF 1.48×, PET-GF 1.24×) · 20% GF loading drives strong fibre-orientation effects. Plan orientation in CAD before slicing · the rigid PPS matrix carries less Z-axis load than the more compliant nylon matrices.
"James handled the 3D printing for a functional heat resistant component we needed in batch production. He helped dial in the prototype first with their design service, then produced the final batch with really consistent results. Super fast 3D print turnaround and great quality across all the 3D printed parts. Will 100% be coming back."
"We needed a sit-in F1-car for an exhibition to showcase our new racing game. 3D Printing Express took our CAD, optimised it for strength and weight as we had no idea how it all worked! Turned out beautifully. They colour matched the finish and was looking like the real deal. On show day the cockpit ran non-stop, adults and kids jumped in. Multiple visitors asked who built it."
"We ordered a batch of 100 PA-12 parts from 3D Printing Express and could not be happier. Every part arrived consistent, dimensionally accurate, and ready for use straight from the box. The PA-12 gave us the strength and stability we needed for functional testing, with minimal post-processing required. Delivery was on time, communication was excellent, and their QC clearly made a difference."
Our highest-temperature V-0 grade (PETG-V0 covers V-0 at lower temperatures) · for electrical, transportation, and aerospace self-certification work. PA-CF nylons and PET-CF are all HB-rated.
Top-tier HDT in our composite range · 45°C above PA6-GF, 105°C above PA12-CF, 89°C above PET-CF · 16°C below PPS-CF at standard anneal · matches PPS-CF at 230°C high-HDT anneal. Sustains 125.8°C under 1.8 MPa structural load. PEEK-adjacent territory.
Lowest in our entire range · below PET-GF (0.32%), PET-CF (0.53%), PA12-CF (1.5%). Holds dimensions indefinitely through any humidity.
Engineering-grade stiffness comparable to PET-CF (5447 vs 5481 MPa) · 65% stiffer than PA12-CF. Combined with V-0 flame and 236-249°C HDT, no other commodity composite covers this performance envelope.
The use cases where PPS-GF earns its place · UL94 V-0 self-certification, 200°C+ continuous service envelope, broad chemical resistance, and a printable lead time when PEEK-class hardware or cost can't be justified.
Engineering materials are bought on what they can do · sold on what they can't. Pick a different filament if any of these apply to your part.
V-0 flame rating + 236-249°C HDT + low moisture + dimensional stability is exactly the property profile EV battery packs need. The Warp-Free additive package allows large-format printing without PEEK-class chamber heating · cost-effective vs PEEK alternatives.
PPS is the engineering polymer used commercially for aerospace fluid-handling. V-0 flame rating covers cabin interior self-certification (FAR 25.853 categories). CF reinforcement adds the structural stiffness needed for non-flight-critical brackets and mounts.
PPS resists petrol, diesel, alcohols, aqueous acids, aqueous bases, most organic solvents, and oils up to 200°C. Used industrially for chemical-plant piping and downhole tooling. For applications where chemical resistance is the defining brief, PPS-GF is the FDM analogue.
Low outgassing, chemical-resistant, 236-249°C HDT, and V-0 flame make PPS-GF the cleanroom-friendly engineering composite. Used for non-conductive wafer carriers, semiconductor process-tool fixtures, and adjacent tooling that needs to survive elevated-temperature etch and clean cycles.
A side-by-side of PPS-GF against the impact-toughness workhorse (PA12-CF) and the gold-standard high-performance reference (PEEK · not 3DPE-stocked, literature values shown). PPS-GF wins on cost vs PEEK and on thermal/flame vs PA12-CF; PEEK wins on continuous-service ceiling; PA12-CF wins on impact + price.
PPS-GF values from the manufacturer's PPS-GF20 TDS V1.1 (ISO 527, ISO 75, ISO 178, ISO 1183 · post-anneal 130°C / 10h (or 230°C for high-HDT)). PA12-CF values from PA12-CF10 TDS. PEEK-CF values are illustrative literature averages for 10-15 wt% CF PEEK grades · 3DPE does not stock PEEK · listed for reference only.
| Property | PPS-GF (here) | PA12-CF | PEEK-CF (3rd-party) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Base polymer | Semi-crystalline PPS (polysulfide) | PA12 (long-chain nylon) | PEEK (polyether-ether-ketone) |
| Tensile strength XY | 64.1 MPa | 77 MPa | ~100 MPa |
| Stiffness (Young's modulus XY) | 4552 MPa | 3311 MPa | ~12000 MPa |
| Heat deflection (HDT 0.45) | 236.3°C | 131°C | ~280°C |
| Heat deflection (HDT 1.8) | 133°C | ~80°C | ~250°C |
| Continuous service ceiling | ~200°C | ~90°C | ~250°C |
| UL94 flame rating | V-0 at 1.5mm | HB at 1.5mm | V-0 at 1.5mm |
| Equilibrium water absorption | 0.11% | 1.5% | ~0.12% |
| Heated chamber required? | No · room temp, 80-90°C bed | Preferred | Required · 120-150°C chamber + 200°C bed |
| Hotend temperature | 310-350°C | 260-290°C | 410-450°C · specialised hotend required |
| Cost per kg (filament) | £110-180 | £90-130 | £400-600+ |
| Best for | V-0 self-cert, 200°C+ service, EV battery, aerospace cabin, chemical-plant tooling | Impact-loaded brackets, balanced strength + ductility, general engineering | Sustained service above 220°C, aerospace flight-rated parts, medical implants |
The other common engineering-composite process decision. SLS is a different machine entirely · different base polymer, near-isotropic strength, different cost structure. Pick the row that matches your job.
| Property | FDM PPS-GF (here) | SLS PA12 (powder-bed) |
|---|---|---|
| Process | Filament extrusion, layer-by-layer · post-print anneal required | Powder-bed, laser-sintered |
| Stiffness (Young's modulus XY) | 4552 MPa | 1700 MPa |
| Tensile strength XY | 64.1 MPa | 48 MPa |
| Anisotropy XY/Z | 2.80× | ~1.1× (near-isotropic) |
| Elongation at break | 1.4% | ~20% (ductile) |
| HDT @ 0.45 MPa | 236.3°C (annealed) | 163°C |
| Water absorption | 0.11% | ~1.5% |
| Surface finish · as printed | Layer lines visible · sand or paint for smooth | Matt powder-grain finish, uniform |
| Min wall thickness | 2.0 mm structural (anisotropy) | 0.7 mm achievable |
| Internal channels / lattices | Limited (support material) | Excellent (powder is the support) |
| Per-part cost · 1-off | Lower | Higher (machine + powder cost) |
| Per-part cost · batch of 100 | Comparable | Lower (efficient bed packing) |
| Best for | Stiffness-critical humidity-stable fixtures, dimensional jigs, electrical insulators | Complex geometry, lattices, near-isotropic strength, batch-of-50+, food-contact certified grades |
This is 3DPE's standard process for PPS-GF · the equipment and the dried-filament discipline are included, no surcharge. Slicer profile and orientation are tuned per part at quote stage.
File or sketch in. We confirm material, orientation, finish, target HDT.
Engineer reviewed. Lead time + per-unit cost back inside 24 hours.
Wall thickness, XY-load-path orientation, anneal-shrinkage compensation flagged before print.
Filament dried 100°C / 10h pre-print. 80-90°C bed. Hardened steel nozzle. ISO-spec adherence.
130°C / 10h anneal recommended for stress relief and full HDT lock-in. Sand or 2K paint to spec.
Tracked UK courier, tracking number sent the moment it leaves.
Drying adds 10 hours and annealing adds 18 hours (10h dwell + slow cooldown) to any of the above. Lead times start when CAD is signed off · CAD round-trips on rev requests can extend the clock.
EV-startup client needed UL94 V-0 self-certifiable brackets for a battery module enclosure · the design had to survive thermal runaway service ceiling (~180°C) while passing flame test for safety sign-off. PPS-GF gave V-0 at 1.5mm wall plus 236.3°C HDT headroom (standard 130°C anneal; 248.9°C available with 230°C anneal) over the worst-case heat load · PA-CF nylons would have failed both flame test and heat. Room-temperature chamber printing meant we delivered the batch on standard industrial FDM rather than chasing PEEK printer capacity · cost was ~3× PA-CF but ~25% of PEEK equivalent.
PPS-GF is 20% glass-fibre-reinforced polyphenylene sulfide · a semi-crystalline aromatic polysulfide filament reinforced with chopped glass fibre. PPS is the same chemistry behind industrial chemical-plant piping, aerospace fluid-handling, and oil-and-gas downhole tools · the rigid aromatic ring and sulfide linkage backbone give PPS dimensional stability, broad chemical resistance, and inherent V-0 flame rating with very low moisture absorption (0.11% equilibrium, the lowest of any commodity engineering composite we ship). Glass-fibre at 20 wt% delivers 64.1 MPa tensile XY (annealed), 4552 MPa Young's modulus, and 236.3°C HDT @ 0.45 MPa with the standard 130°C / 10h anneal · 248.9°C with the optional 230°C anneal. PPS-GF is V-0 flame-rated AND dielectric (6.05 kV/mm dielectric strength) · the only commodity composite in our range suitable for electrical isolation in high-temperature service. PPS-CF (the carbon-fibre sister grade) is conductive at fibre boundaries and cannot be specified for electrical service · this is the central selection wedge between the two grades. The defining trade-off is anisotropy · 2.80× XY/Z tensile ratio (highest in our range) means design loads must run along XY.
"PPS-GF is the GF composite I reach for when flame rating, dielectric service, and humidity-cycle dimensional stability matter together. The carbon-fibre sister grade (PPS-CF) is conductive at the fibre boundaries · for any electrical-isolation part, PPS-GF is the answer. PA6-CF is stronger on the bench but loses half its tensile in any humid environment · PPS-GF holds dimensions and dielectric strength indefinitely at 0.11% water absorption (the lowest we ship). The trades are real though · 2.80× anisotropy and 7.3 kJ/m² Charpy notched (vs 9.9 for PA12-CF) mean you cannot skip the load-path-orientation step in CAD, and the anneal is recommended not optional. Get those right and PPS-GF earns its place in the cabinet for V-0 flame, dielectric, and high-HDT work."
Three questions every engineer Googles when picking PPS-GF · the PPS polymer chemistry, why annealing is recommended (stress relief, not phase change), and what the 2.80× anisotropy means in design.
PPS-GF is mostly crystalline directly off the bed · unlike PET (which prints amorphous and requires a phase-change anneal). The 130°C / 10h anneal is stress relief that sharpens dimensional consistency and locks the full 236.3°C HDT (standard 130°C anneal · 248.9°C with the 230°C anneal). Moderate shrinkage · ~0.5% XY and ~0.6% Z (a moderate anneal cycle · ~0.5% XY shrinkage from the GF/PPS thermal mismatch).
20% chopped glass fibre (~80-200 micron length) aligns along extrusion direction during deposition · drives the 2.80× XY/Z anisotropy ratio. Moderate-to-high by composite standards (higher than PA12-CF 1.48× and PET-GF 1.24×, lower than PET-CF 2.36×). The driver is the rigid PPS matrix · it transfers Z-axis load less effectively than the compliant nylon matrices because the inter-layer matrix-controlled regions are stiff and brittle. Design load paths along XY · not optional.
PPS's aromatic sulfide linkages absorb far less water than nylon amide groups. PPS-GF holds 3× drier than PA12-CF (1.5%), 4× drier than PA612-CF (2.2%), 6× drier than PA6-GF (3.33%). No wet-state design margin needed · dimensional stability holds through UK humidity cycles where nylon-CF fixtures drift and bind.
Polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) is a semi-crystalline aromatic polysulfide produced by polycondensation of para-dichlorobenzene with sodium sulfide. The repeating unit contains a rigid aromatic (phenyl) ring connected through sulfur (sulfide) linkages · this combination gives PPS its extraordinary thermal stability, broad chemical resistance, and inherent flame retardancy. PPS sits in a different polymer family from the engineering nylons (which are polyamides) and from the polyester composites like PET-CF · the aromatic sulfide linkage absorbs almost no water and resists most solvents up to 200°C.
The commercial pedigree is industrial-grade. PPS is the polymer behind chemical-plant piping and valve bodies, oil-and-gas downhole tools, aerospace fluid-handling components (fuel pumps, hydraulic manifolds), under-bonnet automotive parts (engine sensor housings, ignition coil bobbins), and electronics components where V-0 flame rating and high HDT matter together. The same chemical resistance, thermal stability, and dimensional integrity carries through to the FDM-printed grade · engineering parts that need to survive heat, chemistry, and flame in one envelope inherit the polymer's pedigree.
PPS prints in a mostly-crystalline state directly off the bed · unlike PET (which prints amorphous and requires anneal-driven phase change to reach published HDT), PPS already has most of its crystallinity locked in by the time the part cools. The 130°C / 10h anneal is a stress-relief cycle, not a phase change. As-printed PPS-GF holds dimensional shape immediately · the anneal trims residual print stress, sharpens dimensional consistency over weeks of thermal service, and locks the full published 236.3°C HDT @ 0.45 MPa (standard 130°C anneal · 248.9°C with the 230°C anneal).
PPS-GF's standard 130°C / 10h anneal causes moderate shrinkage · ~0.5% XY and ~0.6% Z (per TDS shrinkage block, 40mm specimen). The GF/PPS thermal mismatch is the driver · GF expands much less than PPS during the cool-down, leaving the matrix under residual compressive load. This is higher than PPS-CF (~0.1% XY, 0% Z) and PA612-CF (~0.6%), but still moderate vs PET-CF (1.5% XY, 1% Z). PPS-GF20 uniquely offers a SECOND anneal option · 230°C for high-HDT service (HDT raised to 248.9°C @ 0.45 MPa, 219.6°C @ 1.8 MPa). The 230°C cycle is recommended for rail compliance (EN 45545), aerospace (FAR 25.853), and oil-and-gas continuous-service above 200°C. The trade-off · deeper material coloration. For room-temperature dielectric service, the standard 130°C anneal is enough.
Our stocked grade is 20% glass fibre by weight, chopped to short segments (150-300 microns long). The glass fibres orient along the print-head direction as the molten filament extrudes. That orientation drives the 2.80× XY/Z anisotropy ratio · the highest of any composite in our entire range (above PET-CF 2.36×, PPS-CF 1.86×, PA12-CF 1.48×). Two factors compound: (1) the 20% GF loading is higher than every CF composite we ship (PPS-CF 10%, PA12-CF 10%, PA612-CF 15%, PET-CF 17%) · more fibres aligned along XY means a wider XY/Z gap; (2) the rigid PPS matrix transfers Z-axis load less effectively than the compliant nylon matrices because the inter-layer matrix-controlled regions are stiff and brittle rather than ductile · they bear Z load with minimal yielding before failure. The trade for dielectric performance and flame rating.
Practically, design every PPS-GF part with the load path running along the XY print plane. Z-loaded thin walls under 2mm are the failure mode. Where PA12-CF can absorb some Z-direction misalignment through matrix ductility, PPS-GF will not · plan orientation in CAD before slicing, and keep structural walls at 2mm or thicker.
Values measured to the ISO standards cited in the right-hand column, on the manufacturer's own injection-moulded test specimens · directly comparable to other engineering thermoplastics.
| Property | XY · print plane | Z · build axis | Wet · XY / Z · post-immersion | Unit | Standard |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mechanical · post-anneal status (130°C / 10h) | |||||
| Tensile strength | 64.1 | 22.9 | · | MPa | ISO 527 |
| Young's modulus | 4552 | 2557 | · | MPa | ISO 527 |
| Elongation at break | 2.0 | 1.1 | · | % | ISO 527 |
| Flexural strength | 102.3 | 45.7 | · | MPa | ISO 178 |
| Flexural modulus | 4111 | 2606 | · | MPa | ISO 178 |
| Charpy impact (notched, XY) | 7.3 | · | · | kJ/m² | ISO 179 |
| Charpy impact (unnotched, XY) | 27.3 | · | · | kJ/m² | ISO 179 |
| Charpy impact (unnotched, Z) | · | 4.3 | · | kJ/m² | ISO 179 |
| Thermal | |||||
| Heat deflection (HDT @ 0.45 MPa) | 236.3 (130°C anneal) · 248.9 (230°C anneal) | °C | ISO 75 | ||
| Heat deflection (HDT @ 1.8 MPa) | 125.8 (130°C anneal) · 219.6 (230°C anneal) | °C | ISO 75 | ||
| Glass transition temperature (Tg) | 95.0 | °C | DSC, 10°C/min | ||
| Melting temperature (Tm) | 279.6 | °C | DSC lab figure · not the print temperature or the in-service softening limit (see HDT/Tg) | ||
| Crystallisation temperature (Tc) | 225.8 | °C | DSC, 10°C/min | ||
| Vicat softening temperature | 272.5 | °C | ISO 306 | ||
| Decomposition temperature | 440.2 | °C | TGA, 20°C/min | ||
| Physical | |||||
| Density | 1.36 | g/cm³ @ 23°C | ISO 1183 | ||
| Glass-fibre content | 20 | % by weight | manufacturer spec | ||
| Equilibrium water absorption | 0.11 | % | manufacturer absorption curve | ||
| Melt flow index | 27 | g/10min (300°C, 5kg) | ISO 1133 | ||
| UL94 flame rating | V-0 at 1.5mm | · | UL 94 | ||
| Surface resistivity | >10¹² | Ω/sq (insulator) | ANSI ESD S11.11 | ||
| Processing | |||||
| Recommended print temperature | 310-350 | °C | manufacturer spec | ||
| Recommended bed temperature | 80-90 | °C | manufacturer spec | ||
| Chamber requirement | Room temperature (no heated chamber required) | · | manufacturer spec | ||
| Drying conditions | 100°C / 10h before printing | · | manufacturer spec | ||
| Annealing | 130°C / 10h post-print · recommended (standard anneal · 230°C optional for high-HDT) | · | manufacturer spec | ||
| Nozzle material | Hardened steel or ruby (brass 1-3 jobs life) | · | manufacturer spec | ||
Tensile load > 20 MPa: orient with load in the XY plane. Z bonds are 46% weaker · 32.0 vs 64.1 MPa, anisotropy 2.80×. The rigid PPS matrix transfers Z-axis load less effectively than the compliant nylon matrices · this is one of the more orientation-sensitive composites we ship.
PPS-GF's 2.80× anisotropy makes thin walls particularly brittle in Z-loaded geometry · 2mm minimum structural (vs 1.5mm for PA-CF nylons). 0.8 mm is cosmetic only. For load-bearing service add ribs rather than thinning walls.
Above 45° from vertical needs support material · plan part orientation to keep critical surfaces support-free.
Tight-tolerance ±0.1 mm achievable on small parts with calibration · ask before finalising CAD.
Removes 0.1-0.3 mm per surface · pre-paint prep or stand-alone hand-feel polish.
Manufacturer states annealing is recommended for PPS-GF · provides stress relief and locks the published 236.3°C HDT (standard 130°C anneal · 248.9°C with the 230°C anneal). PPS is mostly crystalline as-printed (unlike PET) so the anneal sharpens dimensional consistency rather than transforming the polymer. Moderate shrinkage · ~0.5% XY and ~0.6% Z (a moderate anneal cycle · ~0.5% XY shrinkage from the GF/PPS thermal mismatch).
Adds 0.05-0.15 mm per surface · sand 800 grit first, primer + topcoat · for colour-matched exterior parts.
Vapour fuses the matrix without flattening exposed carbon · glossy but textured · sand + paint instead.
Every value on this page traces to an ISO test method. We don't quote derived numbers without naming the standard. The annealed-state caveat is clear on every spec figure.
No offshore subcontracting. Files, prints, and couriers all stay in the UK.
Send three things: peak load (N or MPa), peak service temperature (°C), and service environment (humid / outdoor / chemical). our team come back inside 24 hours with material, orientation, and post-process recommendation · if PA12-CF, PA6-CF, PA612-CF, or PPS-GF fits better, we say so.
our team review every brief before quote. No ticket queue, no account managers.
According to the Fiberon PPS-GF20 TDS, PPS-GF20 delivers dielectric strength 6.05 kV/mm per IEC 60243, UL 94 V-0 at 1.5 mm, and HDT 236.3 °C @ 0.45 MPa (standard anneal) rising to 248.9 °C with high-HDT 230 °C anneal.
PPS prints in a mostly-crystalline state directly off the bed · unlike PET, PPS does not undergo a dramatic amorphous-to-semi-crystalline phase change during anneal. The 130°C / 10h standard anneal is stress relief that locks the full published HDT (236.3°C @ 0.45 MPa, 125.8°C @ 1.8 MPa) and trims residual print stress. For parts in continuous service above 200°C (rail, aerospace, oil-and-gas), the optional 230°C anneal raises HDT to 248.9°C / 219.6°C · with the trade-off of deeper material coloration. For one-off chemistry-resistant or dielectric brackets that don't see sustained thermal load, the anneal can be skipped without sacrificing chemistry or flame envelope.
PPS-GF20 has highest anisotropy in our range · 2.80× tensile XY/Z (64.1 / 22.9 MPa). PA12-CF is 1.48×, PA612-CF is 1.90×, PA6-GF is 1.32×, PET-CF 2.36×. The driver is the rigid PPS matrix · it transfers Z-axis load less effectively than the more compliant nylon matrices because the inter-layer matrix-controlled regions are stiff and brittle rather than ductile. Design every PPS-GF part with the load path running along XY. Z-loaded thin walls under 2mm are the failure mode.
Yes · 0.11% equilibrium water absorption per the TDS V1.0 absorption curve. That's the lowest of any commodity engineering composite we ship · 3× drier than PA12-CF (1.5%), 4× drier than PA612-CF (2.2%), 6× drier than PA6-GF (3.33%). PPS's aromatic sulfide linkages absorb far less water than nylon amide groups. The practical result: PPS-GF parts hold dimensions and properties across UK ambient humidity cycles (30-80% RH) where nylon-CF parts swell and lose stiffness. For outdoor fixtures, marine brackets, humid workshops, and parts stored for months · PPS-GF is the right CF composite.
PPS-GF wins on HDT (236.3 vs 131°C at 0.45 MPa standard anneal · 248.9°C with the optional 230°C anneal), thermal envelope (Tm 279.6°C vs 178°C), moisture stability (0.11% vs 1.5% water absorption · 13.6× drier · the lowest in our range), flame rating (V-0 vs HB), and dielectric performance (6.05 kV/mm vs not rated). PA12-CF wins on tensile strength (77 vs 64.1 MPa XY), impact toughness (Charpy notched 9.9 vs 7.3 kJ/m² · 36% tougher), anisotropy (1.48× vs 2.80×), and cost (~3-5× lower-cost). For thermal-service brackets, V-0 flame-rated parts, and dielectric service, PPS-GF. For impact-loaded brackets that need to absorb shock at room temperature, PA12-CF.
Tg is 95.0°C per the manufacturer TDS V1.1 (DSC, 10°C/min). Bulk PPS literature reports Tg around 85-90°C · the GF-filled grade sits slightly higher because the fibre matrix constrains chain mobility. Above Tg, amorphous regions soften · but PPS is mostly crystalline as-printed, and the crystalline regions continue to carry load up to the HDT (236.3°C at 0.45 MPa, 125.8°C at 1.8 MPa with the standard 130°C anneal · 248.9°C / 219.6°C with the optional 230°C anneal). For unannealed prints, the working envelope is slightly tighter due to residual print stress. For annealed prints, the HDT figures govern service.
No heated chamber required · the TDS specifies room-temperature chamber. PPS-GF prints with a hotter bed (80-90°C) than the PA-CF nylons (40-50°C) to manage first-layer adhesion at the 310-350°C hotend temperature, and the Warp-Free additive package keeps geometric stability without active chamber heating. Standard industrial FDM hardware with a 300°C+ capable hotend and hardened nozzle handles the material · no PEEK-class equipment needed. This is the wedge that brings 236.3°C HDT and V-0 flame onto a standard production-FDM workflow.
Hardened steel or ruby. Glass-fibre at 20 wt% destroys a brass nozzle in 1-3 print jobs. Ruby-tipped nozzles extend life to hundreds of jobs. We run hardened-steel on every CF print as standard, included in the quote · no surcharge.
PPS is one of the most chemically resistant engineering polymers commercially available. The aromatic sulfide backbone gives broad resistance across petrol, diesel, alcohols, aqueous acids, aqueous bases (including hot NaOH where PET fails), most organic solvents, ketones, aromatics, chlorinated solvents at room temperature, hot water, and steam · all up to 200°C. The polymer is used industrially for chemical-plant piping, oil-and-gas downhole tools, and aerospace fluid-handling. Fails only against strong oxidising acids (concentrated nitric, fuming sulphuric, chromic acid) and sustained chlorinated solvent vapour above 200°C.
| Chemical / family | Resistance | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Petrol / gasoline | Excellent | PPS is OEM-specified for fuel-system components |
| Diesel | Excellent | Including biodiesel and E85 ethanol-blends |
| Engine oil, gear oil, hydraulic oil | Excellent | All service grades up to 200°C |
| Brake fluid (DOT 3 / 4 / 5.1 glycol) | Excellent | DOT 5 silicone also fine |
| Coolant / antifreeze (ethylene glycol) | Excellent | Including hot diluted service coolant |
| Methanol, ethanol, IPA | Excellent | Indefinite immersion OK |
| Aqueous acids (dilute H₂SO₄, HCl, H₃PO₄) | Excellent | PPS resists aqueous mineral acids up to ~93°C |
| Aqueous bases (NaOH, KOH up to 50%) | Excellent | PPS resists hot caustic · where PET hydrolyses |
| Sea water / saline solution | Excellent | Long-term immersion OK · marine + downhole grade |
| Hydrogen peroxide ≤ 30% | Excellent | Stronger conc. attacks at sustained high temp |
| Acetone, MEK (ketones) | Excellent | PPS resists ketones at room temp · indefinite |
| Toluene, xylene (aromatics) | Excellent | Room-temp immersion OK · > 150°C limited |
| Chlorinated solvents (TCE, DCM, chloroform) | Good | Room temp OK · > 180°C sustained degrades |
| Hot water and steam (sustained > 80°C) | Excellent | PPS holds in steam to 200°C · where PET hydrolyses |
| Weak organic acids (acetic, citric) | Excellent | Indefinite OK at all useful concentrations |
| Concentrated nitric acid (oxidising) | Fails | Strong oxidiser attacks sulfur linkage |
| Fuming sulphuric / oleum, chromic acid | Fails | Strong oxidising acids degrade backbone |
| Chlorinated solvent vapour > 200°C sustained | Fails | Combined heat + chlorine attacks · only failure mode at temperature |
Ratings reflect long-term immersion / sustained exposure. Brief contact (cleaning wipes, splashes) is more forgiving. For mission-critical chemical service, request a 7-day immersion sample before committing the design.
Yes · PPS-GF20 is rated UL94 V-0 at 1.5mm per the manufacturer TDS V1.1. This is the V-0 commodity composite AND the only dielectric-rated composite in our range · PPS is inherently flame-retardant due to its aromatic sulfide backbone (no halogenated additives required). Suitable for self-certifiable V-0 applications: electrical enclosures, transportation interiors, EV battery hardware, aerospace cabin parts. For full third-party UL certification, the part must be tested in its as-built geometry by a UL-recognised lab.
No · standard PPS-GF20 is insulative. Surface resistivity is >10¹² Ω/sq per the TDS (rated OL · overload, beyond ESD-safe range). The 10% CF loading sits well below the percolation threshold (typically 25-35 wt% for engineering matrices). For ESD-sensitive electronics handling jigs and PCB fixtures, use PETG-ESD or PA612-ESD (dedicated anti-static grades).
Yes · PPS holds dimensions and chemistry indefinitely in steam to 200°C, well above standard 121°C autoclave service. Annealed PPS-GF is one of the few commodity FDM composites suitable for repeat steam autoclave (clinical, lab, food-contact-adjacent fixtures · note PPS is not separately food-contact certified). Dry-heat sterilisation, EtO, UV-C, gamma, and IPA wipe-down are also all compatible with PPS-GF. The CF reinforcement adds nothing to chemistry exposure (the matrix is the controlling phase).
Continuous service (annealed): -40 to 200°C · the broadest thermal envelope of any commodity composite we ship. Structural loads up to 125.8°C @ 1.8 MPa (130°C anneal) · 219.6°C @ 1.8 MPa (230°C anneal); lower-load service up to 236.3°C @ 0.45 MPa (130°C anneal) · 248.9°C @ 0.45 MPa (230°C anneal). Decomposition only at 440.2°C. Outdoor: broadly UV-tolerant due to aromatic backbone; 2K paint extends multi-year exterior life. Humid environments: 0.11% water absorption means dimensional stability holds across humidity cycles indefinitely. V-0 flame-rated. Chemical service: petrol, diesel, oils, alcohols, aqueous acids and bases, ketones, aromatics, steam to 200°C. Steam autoclave: yes, repeatedly. Not suitable for ESD service or sub-2mm thin-walled bending parts.
You'll hear back from our team within 24 hours · with material-fit check, ISO-referenced spec, and lead time on every quote.