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BASF announced the company is complementing its polyphthalamide (PPA) portfolio with Ultramid Advanced N3U42G6, a polyamide 9T with nonhalogenated flame retardant, which minimizes electro-corrosion of metal contacts in electric and electronics (E&E) parts for e-mobility. The PPA increases the safety and durability of high-voltage (HV) connectors in, for example, inverters, DC-DC converters and batteries of electric cars, according to BASF. The new Ultramid Advanced N3U42G6 is available uncolored with UL-certified masterbatches but also as a pre-colored version with high color stability for easy processing and excellent color retention after heat aging.

The flame-retardant Ultramid Advanced N3U42G6 is halide-free as defined by EN 50642, extending the lifetime of E&E components. According to the company, this prevents contact corrosion and subsequent failure of sensitive electrical parts exposed to heat and moisture. The PPA achieves fire protection class UL94 with V-0 at 0.25 mm. It also enables long-lasting color coding, which is safety-relevant in areas with high voltages. It meets all the criteria of color stability and heat-aging resistance. In in-house tests, BASF confirmed the color stability after 1,000 hours at up to 150°C. Pre-colored variants like the e-mobility standard orange RAL 2003 are available directly from BASF. For self-coloring, more than 50 inorganic and organic colorants, which are approved for coloring PPAs and show a heat stability up to 350°C, can be used.

“Our new nonhalogenated grade combines the excellent properties of our superhero Ultramid Advanced N with better colorability, long color stability and outstanding anti-corrosion effect,” says Volker Zeiher from technical development engineering plastics at BASF. “With this optimized PA9T, our customers can develop innovative, best-in-class E&E components supported by BASF’s proven flame-retardant expertise and material know-how for electronics manufacturing. Ultramid Advanced N3U42G6 is part of BASF’s tailored flame-retardant PPA portfolio for the E&E industry that advances the development of challenging parts in consumer electronics, automotive battery systems and electric powertrains.”