BASF has developed a new Ultramid® Advanced N5H UN polyphthalamide (PPA), which can process semi-finished parts through an extrusion molding process. Currently, GEHR Plastics in Mannheim, Germany is using this new PPA material to produce extruded profiles with a diameter of 50 mm. Due to its semi-aromatic chemical structure, Ultramid® Advanced N has excellent mechanical properties at high temperatures. Even in corrosive environments above 100°C, the material exhibits excellent chemical resistance, hydrolysis resistance, and good sliding friction properties. Due to its low water absorption, the material can maintain stable mechanical properties in a wide temperature range. Even in humid environments, this long-chain high-performance material can perform better than all other polyamide materials. Dimensional stability.
These performance characteristics make Ultramid® Advanced N an ideal material for extruding prefabricated components and small components. In addition, the material is also suitable for many applications in the automotive industry, mechanical engineering and kitchen appliances. During the machining process, the performance of this semi-finished product is between polyamide and polyoxymethylene copolymer, with stable and consistent chip formation and chip removal performance.
Philipp Wenz, head of the sales team of BASF's Performance Materials business, said: "GEHR is the first company in the world to successfully apply polyphthalamide (PPA) to the extrusion molding process. With its expertise in the field of extrusion molding , GEHR has developed extruded profiles without shrinkage. Although we are not sure whether this is the world’s first semi-finished part made of PPA materials, we can be sure that this high-performance material is in the semi-finished product market. It has not yet played an important role. One of the reasons may be that ordinary PPA materials cannot be well used in the extrusion molding process." Therefore, Ultramid® Advanced N5H narrows the semi-finished products of polyether ether ketone and polyarylsulfone to the semi-finished products of engineering plastics Compared with the latter, it can also be used continuously at operating temperatures well above 120°C. In addition, the material is also suitable for other profiles than bars.
Bernhard Grosskinsky, director of application technology at GEHR, explained: “Compared with other PPA materials on the market, BASF’s polyphthalamide is easier to process. The material has a wide processing window and high melt stability, and the overall quality Consistency contributes to the stable mass production of semi-finished products. In addition, BASF’s polyphthalamide also has another advantage, that is, through post-processing, the material can easily produce finished parts from semi-finished products."
GEHR's extruded bars can be used to manufacture a variety of parts, such as parts with very high operating temperatures, pump parts that require precise dimensional stability, as well as gears, thermostat housings, and slide rails. In the automotive industry, this material is particularly suitable for parts that come into contact with engine oil, transmission oil, coolant, acid, salt, and antifreeze. In addition, the material has excellent impact resistance and a very low wear rate. Therefore, parts made of this material have excellent sliding friction performance even at high temperatures.
About the Ultramid® Advanced product range
The BASF polyphthalamide (PPA) product line is based on four polymers: Ultramid® Advanced N (PA9T), Ultramid® Advanced T1000 (PA6T/6I), Ultramid® Advanced T2000 (PA6T/66), Ultramid® T KR (PA6T/6). They can provide the next generation of lightweight, high-performance plastic parts for industries such as the automotive industry, electronics and electrical equipment, mechanical engineering, and consumer products. BASF provides a PPA product portfolio worldwide, as well as Ultrasim® simulation tools and extensive application development experience. The series includes more than 50 injection and extrusion compound grades, as well as flame retardant or non-flame retardant products. The products are available in different colors, from colorless to laser-markable black, and contain short glass, long glass or carbon fiber reinforcement, and various heat stabilizers.