Ultramid Advanced N enables short cycle times and a wide processing window.
LUDWIGSHAFEN GERMANY: BASF SE is expanding its range of partially aromatic polyamides and launching a new polyphthalamide (PPA) portfolio on the market. The portfolio with the name Ultramid Advanced N comprises unreinforced compounds and compounds reinforced with short or long glass fibers as well as flame-retardant grades.
They exceed the properties of conventional PPA plastics: constant mechanics up to 100°C (glass transition temperature: 125°C), outstanding chemical resistance and low water absorption as well as low friction and wear. Ultramid Advanced N enables short cycle times and a wide processing window. The new product line is supplemented by detailed material characterization and the proven BASF application development capabilities. BASF offers selected grades for customer projects around the world from now on.
Greater scope for innovations
The new portfolio gives customers from different industries greater freedom for innovations in order to develop technically sophisticated end-consumer products.
With this the customers are able to satisfy demands for miniaturization, functional integration and freedom of design. They are also able to comply with energy efficiency and safety parameters – factors that are crucial to market success. With the new BASF PPA these high standards for mechanics, chemical resistance and dimensional stability can be met across a wide temperature range.
“Ultramid Advanced N is BASF’s response to the rising demands on plastics that are employed today under increasingly challenging operating conditions”, said Dr Melanie Maas-Brunner, senior VP performance materials Europe. “Developing specialties such as Ultramid Advanced N is in-line with our strategy to provide our customers with a broad range of solutions.
Wide range of uses in many industries
Using this product allows customers to design lighter, smaller and stronger plastic components for challenging environments where other materials reach their limits. The special properties of the new BASF PPA can be combined to create unique product profiles.
The material is able to solve application problems in a wide range of different uses:
- It is suitable for small connectors and function-integrating housings in white goods, consumer electronics and mobile devices.
- It can be used in automotive components and structural parts near the engine and the gearbox in contact with hot, aggressive media and different fuels.
- Applications like gear wheels and other wear parts can be implemented, too.
- Ultramid Advanced N possesses lead-free soldering properties that find application within the electronics and electrical industry, e.g. to assemble circuit boards using SMD (SMD: surface mounted device) technology.
“We will actively approach our customers to understand their specific requirements and offer them solutions based on BASF’s expertise in application development and product know-how,” said Abdullah Shaikh, head of PPA Business, performance materials Europe.
Superior mechanics, outstanding flame retardance and more
The electrical properties of Ultramid Advanced N are also largely independent of moisture content at room temperature and above – a marked difference compared to aliphatic polyamides.
As a result of its high melting point of 300°C and its low water uptake, Ultramid Advanced N is particularly suitable for lead-free soldering: The heat distortion temperature is maintained and the material does not display any blistering. The low water uptake leads to an excellent dimensional stability. In tests, the water and moisture uptake could be reduced by 50 percent compared to a PA6T. An Ultramid Advanced N grade reinforced with 35 percent glass fibers only absorbs less than 1 percent of moisture until saturation.
Ultramid Advanced N is extraordinarily resistant against chemicals, in particular hot oil, coolants such as Glysantin, against calcium chloride as well as fuels with a high methanol content. The individual grades are fitted with different heat stabilizers and thus tailor-made for particular requirements of the automotive, electrical and electronics industries.
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