BASF Announces Improved Flame Retardant Grade for E&E Applications

A flame-retardant and glass fiber-reinforced polyamide (PA), the new Ultramid A3U42G6, is now part of BASF’s plastics portfolio. This light colorable grade features easy processing with reduced deposit formation and corrosivity. Thus, it increases the durability of plasticizing units and injection molds and helps reducing production stoppages due to service and maintenance.

The new material meets UL 94 requirements for the V-0 flammability class at wall thicknesses as low as 0.4 millimeters. Its thermal ageing resistance has been considerably improved over that of well-known glass fiber-filled polyamide grades, the company says. With an RTI for dielectric strength (UL 746B) of 140 °C at a wall thickness of 0.4 millimeters and even 150 °C at thicknesses starting at 0.75 millimeters, the new Ultramid A3U42G6 is especially well suited for use at higher temperatures.

The new flame retardant system shows no migration effects and thus ensures component surfaces of higher quality. It also contains no halogen or antimony components. This allows favorable smoke density and toxicity values to be attained and also complies with the WEEE and ROHS directives.

Reinforced with 30 percent glass fibers, Ultramid A3U42G6 possesses the good mechanical properties typical of polyamides, and can be marked by laser, when colored black. This new grade is especially suitable for connectors and thermally stressed industrial automation applications such as switchgears and contactors. Effective immediately, the material is available in commercial volumes and with extensive supporting data.