BASF has expanded its polyphthalamide (PPA) portfolio with Ultramid Advanced N3U42G6, a polyamide 9T featuring a non-halogenated flame-retardant.
The innovation minimises electro-corrosion in electric and electronics (E&E) parts for electric vehicles, enhancing the safety and durability of high-voltage (HV) connectors in inverters, DC-DC converters, and batteries.
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The new material is designed to meet the growing demand for halide-free E&E components in warm and humid conditions.
Ultramid Advanced N3U42G6 offers high strength, stiffness, and outstanding chemical resistance across a broad temperature range.
Its dimensional stability enhances the reliability of thin-walled high-voltage connectors.
Available in uncoloured and pre-coloured versions, it ensures high colour stability and excellent retention after heat ageing, catering to industry needs for easy processing.
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By GlobalDataKOSTAL Kontakt Systeme, an automotive supplier based in Lüdenscheid, Germany, is among the first to utilise Ultramid Advanced N in its high-voltage connector KS22 Class 4 for high-current modules.
The BASF PPA enables miniaturisation and saves installation space due to its good flowability at thin wall thicknesses.
It provides superior electrical insulation, outperforming aliphatic polyamides, especially at elevated temperatures.
The material’s high elongation at break prevents stress whitening during component assembly, ensuring the long-term performance of KOSTAL’s high-voltage connectors.
The flame-retardant Ultramid Advanced N3U42G6 extends the lifetime of E&E components by preventing contact corrosion and failure of sensitive electrical parts exposed to heat and moisture.
It achieves fire protection class UL94 V-0 at 0.25mm and maintains long-lasting colour coding crucial for safety in high-voltage areas.
In-house tests confirmed its colour stability after 1,000 hours at up to 150°C.
Pre-coloured variants, like the e-mobility standard orange RAL 2003, are available directly from BASF.
For self-colouring, over 50 approved inorganic and organic colourants with heat stability up to 350°C can be used.
BASF technical development engineering plastics Volker Zeiher said: “Our new non-halogenated grade combines the excellent properties of our superhero Ultramid Advanced N with better colorability, long color stability and outstanding anti-corrosion effect. With this optimised 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.”
With low moisture uptake and a high heat distortion temperature of 265°C, Ultramid Advanced N3U42G6 is ideal for connectors processed with surface mount technology (SMT).
It ensures high dimensional stability, avoiding blistering or dimensional changes during SMT processing.
The PPA grade withstands higher temperatures while maintaining mechanical strength, improving the quality of post-processed E&E components and reducing waste and costs.
