Overview
Glass Filled PPS (Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyphenylene Sulfide) is a high-performance engineering thermoplastic that combines the exceptional chemical resistance, thermal stability, flame retardancy, and dimensional stability of PPS with the enhanced strength, stiffness, and creep resistance provided by glass fiber reinforcement.
The most common grade contains 40% glass fiber (PPS GF40), although 20%, 30%, and custom reinforcement levels are also available. Glass Filled PPS is widely used in demanding applications where dimensional precision, long-term mechanical stability, and resistance to harsh environments are critical.
Glass Filled PPS is widely used in:
- Automotive Components
- Electrical Connectors
- Aerospace Parts
- Pump and Valve Components
- Semiconductor Equipment
- Industrial Machinery
- Structural Components
- High-Temperature Electrical Systems
Due to its excellent balance of mechanical performance and environmental resistance, Glass Filled PPS is one of the most widely used high-performance thermoplastics in engineering applications.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | Glass Filled PPS |
| Full Name | Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyphenylene Sulfide |
| Common Name | PPS GF40, PPS GF30 |
| Material Family | High-Performance Thermoplastic |
| Glass Fiber Content | 20–40% |
| Density | 1.55–1.75 g/cm³ |
| Appearance | Dark Brown, Black |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | Injection Molding, CNC Machining |
| Standard Forms | Pellets, Sheet, Rod |
Chemical Composition
Glass Filled PPS combines PPS resin with reinforcing glass fibers to enhance structural performance.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Polyphenylene Sulfide Polymer | Structural Matrix |
| Glass Fibers | Strength & Stiffness Enhancement |
| Processing Additives | Manufacturing Stability |
| Mineral Fillers (Optional) | Dimensional Stability |
Glass fibers significantly improve rigidity and creep resistance.
Common Glass Filled PPS Grades
| Grade | Characteristics |
|---|---|
| PPS GF20 | Balanced Strength and Toughness |
| PPS GF30 | High Stiffness |
| PPS GF40 | Maximum Structural Performance |
| Mineral & Glass Filled PPS | Enhanced Dimensional Stability |
| Conductive GF PPS | ESD Applications |
Mechanical Properties
Typical Values (40% Glass Filled)
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 130–190 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 120–180 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 1–2% |
| Flexural Strength | 220–290 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 10–16 GPa |
| Hardness | Rockwell M105–115 |
| Compressive Strength | 180–260 MPa |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Structural Strength | Outstanding |
| Stiffness | Outstanding |
| Creep Resistance | Outstanding |
| Fatigue Resistance | Excellent |
Glass Filled PPS offers dramatically improved stiffness compared with Virgin PPS.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.55–1.75 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption | <0.05% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.30–0.50 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 900–1100 J/kg·K |
| Coefficient of Thermal Expansion | Extremely Low |
Glass reinforcement significantly improves dimensional stability.
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Melting Point | 280–290°C |
| Glass Transition Temperature | 85–95°C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature | 260–280°C |
| Continuous Service Temperature | Up to 220°C |
| Short-Term Service Temperature | Up to 260°C |
Glass Filled PPS maintains mechanical integrity under prolonged thermal exposure.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| PPS GF40 | 1.68 | 170 MPa |
| Virgin PPS | 1.35 | 80 MPa |
| Glass Filled PEEK | 1.52 | 135 MPa |
| Aluminum 6061 | 2.70 | 310 MPa |
Glass Filled PPS provides excellent structural efficiency and weight savings compared with metals.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water | Outstanding |
| Acids | Outstanding |
| Alkalis | Excellent |
| Fuels | Outstanding |
| Hydrocarbons | Outstanding |
| Solvents | Outstanding |
| Oils & Greases | Outstanding |
| Salt Solutions | Outstanding |
Glass reinforcement does not significantly affect PPS’s exceptional chemical resistance.
Corrosion Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Moisture Resistance | Outstanding |
| Corrosion Resistance | Outstanding |
| Chemical Stability | Outstanding |
| Environmental Durability | Excellent |
Glass Filled PPS is ideal for corrosive industrial environments.
Flame Retardancy
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Self-Extinguishing | Yes |
| UL Flammability Rating | UL94 V-0 |
| Flame Resistance | Outstanding |
| Smoke Generation | Low |
PPS remains inherently flame retardant even with glass reinforcement.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | >10¹⁴ Ω·cm |
| Surface Resistivity | >10¹³ Ω |
| Dielectric Strength | 12–20 kV/mm |
| Dielectric Constant | 3.5–4.2 |
Glass Filled PPS maintains excellent electrical insulation properties.
Dimensional Stability
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Thermal Expansion Control | Outstanding |
| Moisture Stability | Outstanding |
| Precision Retention | Outstanding |
| Long-Term Stability | Outstanding |
One of the primary advantages of Glass Filled PPS is exceptional dimensional stability under thermal load.
Wear Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Abrasion Resistance | Excellent |
| Sliding Wear Resistance | Good |
| Surface Durability | Excellent |
| Structural Wear Performance | Excellent |
PTFE-filled grades are often preferred when extreme wear resistance is required.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Excellent |
| CNC Turning | Good |
| Drilling | Excellent |
| Tapping | Good |
| Precision Machining | Excellent |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| Virgin PPS | Excellent |
| Glass Filled PPS | Good–Excellent |
| Glass Filled PEEK | Good |
| POM | Outstanding |
Glass fibers increase tool wear but enable excellent dimensional accuracy.
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Injection Molding | Outstanding |
| CNC Machining | Excellent |
| Insert Molding | Excellent |
| Precision Manufacturing | Outstanding |
Glass Filled PPS is one of the most popular materials for precision injection molded engineering components.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| ISO | PPS GF30 / GF40 |
| ASTM | Glass Fiber Reinforced PPS |
| DIN | PPS-GF |
| JIS | GF PPS |
| GB/T (China) | 玻璃纤维增强聚苯硫醚 |
| UL | UL94 V-0 |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Pellets | Yes |
| Sheet | Yes |
| Rod | Yes |
| Injection Molded Parts | Yes |
| Precision Machined Components | Yes |
Typical Applications
Automotive Industry
- Water Pump Housings
- Thermostat Components
- Fuel System Parts
- Sensor Housings
Electrical & Electronics
- High-Voltage Connectors
- Switch Components
- Relay Housings
- Circuit Protection Devices
Aerospace Industry
- Structural Components
- Electrical Insulators
- Lightweight Support Parts
Industrial Equipment
- Pump Components
- Valve Bodies
- Compressor Parts
- Wear Components
Semiconductor Industry
- Process Equipment Parts
- Chemical Handling Components
- Precision Fixtures
Chemical Processing
- Corrosion-Resistant Components
- Fluid Management Systems
- Industrial Connectors
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Injection Molding | Outstanding |
| CNC Machining | Excellent |
| Structural Component Manufacturing | Outstanding |
| Precision Production | Outstanding |
Advantages
Outstanding Structural Strength
Significantly stronger than Virgin PPS.
Exceptional Dimensional Stability
Maintains tight tolerances under thermal and mechanical stress.
Excellent Chemical Resistance
Suitable for harsh industrial environments.
High Temperature Capability
Continuous operation up to 220°C.
Inherent Flame Retardancy
UL94 V-0 without flame-retardant additives.
Excellent Electrical Insulation
Ideal for electrical and electronic applications.
Limitations
Lower Impact Resistance
More brittle than Virgin PPS and PPSU.
Increased Tool Wear
Glass fibers accelerate machining tool wear.
Reduced Ductility
Lower elongation than unfilled PPS.
Higher Material Cost
More expensive than standard engineering plastics.
Comparison with Other PPS Grades
| Property | Glass Filled PPS | Virgin PPS | PTFE Filled PPS |
|---|---|---|---|
| Strength | Outstanding | Good | Good |
| Stiffness | Outstanding | Good | Moderate |
| Wear Resistance | Excellent | Good | Outstanding |
| Dimensional Stability | Outstanding | Excellent | Excellent |
| Impact Resistance | Lower | Better | Moderate |
Comparison with Glass Filled PEEK
| Property | Glass Filled PPS | Glass Filled PEEK |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | Lower | |
| Chemical Resistance | Comparable | |
| Heat Resistance | Slightly Lower | |
| Toughness | Lower | |
| Moisture Absorption | Lower |
Glass Filled PPS is often selected as a cost-effective alternative to Glass Filled PEEK.
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Molded Finish
- Machined Finish
- Matte Surface
Functional Finishes
- Precision Ground Finish
- Structural Component Finish
- Electrical Component Finish
Specialty Grades
- PPS GF20
- PPS GF30
- PPS GF40
- Mineral-Filled PPS
- Conductive Glass Filled PPS
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is Glass Filled PPS?
Glass Filled PPS is a reinforced Polyphenylene Sulfide material containing glass fibers that improve strength, stiffness, and dimensional stability.
What is Glass Filled PPS used for?
Typical applications include:
- Automotive Components
- Electrical Connectors
- Pump Components
- Aerospace Parts
- Industrial Machinery
Is Glass Filled PPS stronger than Virgin PPS?
Yes. Glass Filled PPS offers significantly higher tensile strength, stiffness, and creep resistance.
Is Glass Filled PPS chemically resistant?
Yes. It maintains the outstanding chemical resistance of standard PPS.
Can Glass Filled PPS be machined?
Yes. It provides excellent CNC machining performance, although glass fibers increase tool wear.
Why choose Glass Filled PPS?
Because it combines:
- Outstanding Strength
- Excellent Dimensional Stability
- High Temperature Resistance
- Chemical Resistance
- Flame Retardancy
What is the difference between Glass Filled PPS and Glass Filled PEEK?
Glass Filled PEEK offers higher toughness and wear resistance, while Glass Filled PPS provides lower cost and comparable dimensional stability.
Does GCNOV provide Glass Filled PPS manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- Glass Filled PPS CNC Machining
- Injection Molding
- Automotive Component Manufacturing
- Electrical Component Production
- Precision Industrial Parts
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production