PPA Sheet — Thicknesses, Sizes & Stock Forms
PPA sheet is flat plate stock produced from Polyphthalamide (PPA), a semi-aromatic high-performance nylon. PPA sheet provides a significant upgrade over PA6 or PA66 sheet in applications requiring elevated thermal resistance, higher mechanical strength, and excellent dimensional stability under load and heat. It is selected for structural panels, thermal barrier plates, wear surfaces, and precision machined components in demanding industrial, automotive, and electrical applications.
At a glance:
- Thickness range: 0.125" to 3.0" (common stocked sizes)
- Standard sheet sizes: 24" × 48"
- Thickness tolerance: ±10% (typical)
- Material: Polyphthalamide (PPA) — extruded
- Color: Natural (off-white/light tan)
Standard Thickness Table
PPA sheet is stocked in precision machining thicknesses appropriate for its high-performance applications:
| Thickness | Standard Sheet Size | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.125" | 24" × 48" | Thin thermal barrier liners |
| 0.250" | 24" × 48" | Precision structural panels |
| 0.375" | 24" × 48" | Wear pads and structural parts |
| 0.500" | 24" × 48" | Medium structural panels |
| 0.750" | 24" × 48" | Thick wear plates and barriers |
| 1.000" | 24" × 48" | Heavy-section structural components |
| 2.000" | 24" × 48" | Precision machined blocks |
| 3.000" | 24" × 48" | Large precision components |
Contact Ready Plastics for non-standard thicknesses and custom sizes.
Mechanical & Thermal Properties
PPA sheet's elevated thermal capability and high stiffness are the primary reasons to select it over standard nylon sheet:
| Property | Notes |
|---|---|
| Tensile strength | High — superior to PA6 and PA66 sheet |
| Stiffness | High tensile modulus — panels resist deflection under sustained load |
| Heat resistance | Elevated continuous use temperature — exceeds PA6, PA66, and PA12 |
| Dimensional stability | Excellent — low moisture absorption |
| Chemical resistance | Resists oils, fuels, and many industrial chemicals |
| Flammability (UL 94) | HB |
Complete numeric specifications are in the PPA material datasheet. Reference for all engineering design calculations.
Typical Applications
PPA sheet is used in the most thermally and mechanically demanding flat-stock applications:
- High-temperature structural panels — maintains stiffness and dimensions in hot processing or under-hood environments
- Thermal barrier plates — separates heat sources from temperature-sensitive adjacent components
- Precision wear pads — high stiffness reduces deflection under load compared to standard nylon wear pads
- Electrical insulating panels — dielectric properties plus thermal resistance for high-temperature electrical assemblies
- Precision jig plates — dimensional stability and high stiffness support tight-tolerance tooling applications
Machining PPA Sheet
PPA sheet is machined using standard carbide tooling for plastics. Its higher hardness and stiffness compared to PA6 or PA66 require sharp tools and moderate feed rates for clean surface finishes. Routing, milling, drilling, and saw cutting all produce excellent results. PPA's low moisture absorption means parts are dimensionally stable immediately after machining — no conditioning delay before assembly. Manage heat in extended operations with compressed air or light mist coolant.
Related
- PPA Material Line Card
- PPA Rod — round bar for high-temperature machined components
- PPA Tube — hollow stock for high-performance bearing and sleeve applications