Polyamide 12 substitute tackles fuel, salt with equal ease

A new 30% glass fiber-reinforced grade of polyamide (PA) 6.10 has found use in an automotive quick connector application that has gone commercial at ARaymond (Grenoble, France), a leading supplier of such connectors and fasteners.

UltramidS3WG6 Balance from BASF (Ludwigshafen, Germany) that was first introduced at the K 2010 in quick connectors for fuel lines is a material that is characterized by not only its hydrolysis resistance, but also its exceptionally high resistance to fuel.

The mechanical properties after storage for over 2,000 hours at elevated temperatures in biofuels such as E 24, B30, or B100, for instance, are at a level comparable to those of PA 12 GF 30. The material also passes the typical automotive tests for environmental stress cracking resistance in the presence of zinc chloride (SAE 2644, FMVSS 106). As a consequence, the material is able to replace PA 12 in applications where this is required. Quick connectors of this kind are used by almost all major global automobile and truck manufacturers. In view of the high demand for PA 12 substitutes, BASF is now enlarging its PA 6.10 portfolio together with customers.-[email protected]