Performance Polymers
Ultramid® (PA)
BASF’s Ultramid® grades are molding compounds on the basis of PA6, PA66 and various co-polyamides such as PA66/6. The range also includes PA610 and semi-aromatic polyamides such as PA6T/6, PA6T/66, PA6T/6I and PA9T.
The molding compounds are available unreinforced, reinforced with glass fibers or minerals and also reinforced with long-glass fibers for special applications. Ultramid® is noted for its high mechanical strength, stiffness and thermal stability. In addition, Ultramid® offers good toughness at low temperatures, favorable sliding friction behavior and can be processed without any problems.
The most important properties of Ultramid®
- High strength and rigidity
- Very good impact strength
- Outstanding resistance to chemicals
- Low tendency to creep
- Dimensional stability
- Simple processing
Ultramid® ‒ versatility in material and application
Because of the manifold and tailor-made characteristics of Ultramid® many applications are possible, especially in automotive construction, electrical engineering and electronics, in household technology, industrial connection, photovoltaics, in construction and installation, furniture, the sanitary industry and in mechanical engineering.
Properties of Ultramid® (PA)
Ultramid® is the trade name for polyamides supplied by BASF for injection molding and extrusion. The product range includes PA6 grades (Ultramid® B), PA66 grades (Ultramid® A), special polyamides like PA610 (Ultramid® S Balance), polyphthalamides such as PA6T/6I (Ultramid® Advanced T1000), PA6T/66 (Ultramid® Advanced T2000), PA9T (Ultramid® Advanced N) or PA6T/6 (Ultramid® TKR), as well as special grades based on copolyamides. Ultramid® A is produced by condensation polymerization of hexamethylene diamine and adipic acid, Ultramid® B by hydrolytic polymerization of caprolactam. These materials are obtained from petrochemical feedstocks such as benzene, cyclohexane and p-xylene. Ultramid® is noted for its high mechanical strength, stiffness and thermal stability.
Focus topic: High Productivity Plus
Energy efficiency is an increasingly important aspect to consider, both from an economic and ecological perspective. The cycle time of the injection molding process plays a major role for the highlighted properties. To this end, BASF has developed a new variant of Ultramid® and Ultradur®, known as High Productivity Plus, which leads to significant reductions in cycle time and process energy consumption. First tests show a potential reduction of the cycle time around 30 %.
Ultramid® and Ultradur® HPP are high-performance thermoplastic resins that show outstanding flowability, faster crystallization and ability to be processed at lower melt temperatures making it an ideal choice for manufacturers and product designers who demand the very best in terms of efficiency and performance.
Ultramid® and Ultradur®’s ability to be processed at lower melt temperatures make it a more sustainable choice. Additionally, this resin requires lower injection pressure, which reduces wear and tear on equipment and extends the lifespan of molds and other components.
Ultramid® and Ultradur® HPP Brochure
Processing of Ultramid®
Ultramid® can be processed by all methods known for thermoplastics. The main methods are injection molding and extrusion. Complex moldings are economically manufactured in large numbers from Ultramid® by injection molding. The extrusion method is used to produce films, semi-finished products, pipes, profiled parts, sheet and monofilaments. Semi-finished products are usually further processed by cutting tools to form finished molded parts.
The Ultramid® product range
Specific Ultramid® Grades
The product range of Ultramid® also comprises grades for special applications.
- Ultramid® EndureHeat-resistant polyamide
- Ultramid® StructurePolyamide with long glass fiber reinforcement
- Ultramid® Deep GlossFor high gloss in automotive interiors and exteriors
- Ultramid® VisionA semi-transparent polyamide
- Ultramid® Expand Particle FoamFor 3D components
- Ultramid® Advanced NPolyphthalamide (PPA) for challenging applications
- Ultramid® Advanced T1000Polyphthalamide (PPA) – one T for 1000 tasks
- Ultramid® Advanced T2000Polypthalamide (PPA) – Connecting strengths
BASF's new range of products that are now part of the Ultramid® family
Special Ultramid® grades available include:
Please note: BASF will market and sell the former Polyamid products aquired from Solvay outside European Economic Area and Switzerland only. BASF plans to offer these products in the European Economic Area and Switzerland under the Ultramid brand name as of February 2022.
Application range
The applications are as manifold as its product properties: Explore the various application possibilities of Ultramid®!
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