PA 66/PPA Blends Bridge Performance, Price Gap for Advanced Metal Replacement

For advanced metal replacement in structural parts, BASF is now offering a portfolio of polyamide (PA) and polyphthalamide (PPA) blends with more-constant mechanical properties than PA 66. Ultramid T7000 outperforms PA 66 in terms of stiffness and strength in a dry state and especially in the presence of humidity.

The PPA portion leads to lower water absorption, which delivers dimensional stability. Further, Ultramid T7000 can be as easily injection-molded as PA 66, giving parts a glossy and smooth surface finish. This unique combination of properties makes the PA/PPA blend a perfect metal replacement for structural parts that are exposed to moisture, such as automotive mirrors, air brake components, and valves. It is also suitable for furniture assemblies.

Weight and cost savings

In addition to its mechanical properties, Ultramid T7000 can be optimized using BASF’s Ultrasim simulation tool to improve noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) performance. The result is a more robust assembly with consolidation of parts, no corrosion, and improved durability. Thus, considerable weight and cost savings for an overall assembly can be achieved using the PA/PPA blend instead of metal.

Bio-based offerings imminent

Ultramid T7000 is globally available with different glass-fiber reinforcements up to 60% for highly loaded structural parts. There are also grades in laser-sensitive black and surface-improved black. “We offer a tailored portfolio for different customer needs covering performance, special certifications, and sustainability,” said Andre Schäfer from global business development PPA at BASF. “In close collaboration with our technical service colleagues, we want to inspire our customers to investigate other weight- and cost-saving opportunities for metal replacement, which is now possible with our strong and stiff Ultramid T7000. For additional sustainability benefits like a lower product carbon footprint, biomass-balanced and [branded] Ccycled grades will be available soon.”

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BASF’s PPA portfolio comprises six polymers: Ultramid Advanced N (PA9T), Ultramid Advanced T1000 (PA6T/6I), Ultramid Advanced T2000 (PA6T/66), Ultramid T KR (PA6T/6), Ultramid T6000 (PA66/6T), and Ultramid T7000 (PA/PPA). They open the door to the next generation of lightweight, high-performance plastic components for many different sectors including the automotive industry, electronics and electric devices, mechanical engineering, and consumer goods.

It includes more than 50 compounded grades for injection molding and extrusion and products with or without flame retardants. The compounds are available in different colors, from colorless to laser-markable black, with short-glass, long-glass, or mineral fiber reinforcement, and with various heat stabilizers.