FDM – PPS-CF Printing Material

PPS-CF is a carbon fiber reinforced polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) for FDM 3D printing. It combines very high heat resistance, broad chemical resistance, and almost no moisture absorption with a UL 94 V-0 flame rating. That makes it the material we reach for when a part has to survive heat, chemicals, and load at the same time, such as fixtures in hot production lines, under-hood automotive parts, and flame retardant electrical housings.

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What PPS-CF Is Best For

• Fixtures used in high-temperature production environments
• Parts exposed to solvents, oils, greases, acids, and alkalis
• Flame retardant electrical and electronic housings
• Automotive under-hood components
• Industrial replacement parts for harsh environments
• Low-volume end-use parts that need long-term dimensional stability

When another material is a better fit

• Need flame retardance at a lower cost: Firewire FR ABS
• Need higher stiffness and strength: PPA-CF
• Need a larger flame rated part with aerospace ratings: ULTEM 9085

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Key Material Facts

• Heat deflection temperature: 264°C (507°F) at 0.45 MPa and 235°C (455°F) at 1.8 MPa
• UL 94 V-0 flame rating; naturally flame retardant and self-extinguishing
• Resists acids, alkalis, organic solvents, oils, and greases
• Extremely low moisture absorption: 0.05% at 25°C and 55% RH
• High stiffness: 8,230 MPa tensile modulus
• RoHS compliant

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PPS-CF Material Properties

Version note: the values below are typical values from the filament manufacturer’s published data sheet.

Typical properties (from the manufacturer’s published data sheet; specimens printed flat, X-Y)

Property	Metric	English	Method
Tensile strength	87 MPa	12,600 psi	ISO 527
Tensile modulus	8,230 MPa	1,190 ksi	ISO 527
Flexural strength	142 MPa	20,600 psi	ISO 178
Flexural modulus	7,160 MPa	1,040 ksi	ISO 178
Charpy impact strength	27.8 kJ/m²	–	ISO 179
Heat deflection temperature @ 0.45 MPa	264°C	507°F	ISO 75
Heat deflection temperature @ 1.8 MPa	235°C	455°F	ISO 75
Glass transition temperature	100°C	212°F	DSC
Melting temperature	284°C	543°F	DSC
Water absorption (25°C, 55% RH)	0.05%	0.05%	–
Density	1.26 g/cm³	0.046 lb/in³	ISO 1183
Flammability	V-0	V-0	UL 94

Compliance documents: UL 94 test results and RoHS test results.

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We print this material on our FDM print farm, which limits single parts to 13.38″ × 12.59″ × 13.38″. For larger parts, we can suggest materials such as ABS that run on our large-format FDM systems.

Like all carbon fiber FDM materials, it is much stronger along the layers than between them, so tell us which directions your part is loaded in and we will orient it to match.

FDM parts are strongest along the layers and weaker between them, so we orient each part to put strength where it is needed. Tell us how your part will be loaded when you request a quote. Our FDM Part Design Guide covers wall thickness, orientation, supports, and threaded inserts.

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Finish and Color Options

Parts are black with a matte carbon fiber surface. We ship FDM parts with a strip and ship finish: we break away the supports and send the part with layer lines visible. Sanding, painting, heat-set threaded inserts, and other higher levels of finish are available on request and quoted per part. See all of our finishing and post-processing options.

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PPS-CF Part Gallery

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Related Resources

• FDM 3D printing overview
• FDM part design guide
• Accuracy of 3D printed parts
• Machine and material comparison

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PPS-CF FAQ

What is PPS-CF?

It is polyphenylene sulfide (PPS) reinforced with carbon fiber. It combines the heat and chemical resistance of PPS with the stiffness and dimensional stability of carbon fiber.

How is it different from other carbon fiber materials?

It stands out for chemical resistance and flame retardance. It holds up to acids, alkalis, solvents, oils, and greases that would attack nylons and ABS, and it is rated UL 94 V-0.

How heat resistant is it?

Its heat deflection temperature is 264°C (507°F) at 0.45 MPa and 235°C (455°F) at 1.8 MPa, well above most engineering-grade FDM materials.

Does PPS-CF absorb moisture?

Almost none: 0.05% at 25°C and 55% relative humidity. That helps parts hold their dimensions and strength in humid environments, unlike most nylon-based materials.

Can PPS-CF be used for end-use parts?

Yes. It is used for end-use fixtures, electrical housings, automotive components, and chemical-resistant replacement parts that need long-term durability.