Electronics & Electric

Plastics for Circuit Protection

When it comes to keeping the power on, reliability is the name of the game. Wherever electric power flows, plastics must possess excellent electrical properties together with good mechanical characteristics and also exhibit high heat resistance.

Increased demand for electrical components that are flame retardant. The need for components to be smaller but still deliver the same, if not better performance. These are just a couple of the trends that are driving both you and us. Our extensive portfolio of high performance polymers and additives as well as our technical expertise can help you find the solutions you need.

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BASF's E/E materials - a new quantum leap

Excellent electrical performance
Good mechanical properties
High thermal stability
Secure handling
Reduced fire risk
Meeting new design requirements

Focus topic: BASF and Siemens collaborate for sustainable 3RV2 circuit breaker

Most parts of the 3RV2 circuit breaker housing and some internal parts are crafted from biomass-balanced Ultramid^®and Ultradur^® from BASF. For the manufacturing of this material, fossil feedstock at the beginning of the value chain is replaced by bio-methane derived from renewable sources such as agricultural waste, and plant residues. Looking at the ‘mass balance approach’, fossil raw materials are substituted with certified bio-based raw materials. Bio-naphtha and bio-methane are integrated at the outset of the value chain. This approach produces benefits for all stakeholders throughout the supply and production chain, extending to the end customer. This is achieved without any loss of quality or performance compared to the conventional plastics product. On top: BASF itself is a Siemens customer, incorporating the SIRIUS 3RV2 circuit breaker into its production facilities.

The 3RV2: Crafted from biomass-balanced Ultramid® and Ultradur®.

“The mass balance approach is a solution that gradually replaces fossil raw materials in production processes, supporting a circular economy and net zero operations. With increasing demand for alternative products, the proportion of alternative raw materials in the production network also increases. One noteable aspect of our collaboration: the SIRIUS 3RV2 circuit breaker is used in our BASF production plants not only to protect motors but also to enhance efficiency and reliability, contributing to our sustainability objectives."

Martin Jung - President BASF Performance Materials

“With our products, we help customers to improve asset performance, availability, and reliability, through resource-efficient and circular products which optimize energy use, production, and supply chains throughout their entire lifecycle. In BASF, we have found a strong partner that supports us with its innovations in the field of sustainable plastics.”

Andreas Matthé, CEO Electrical Products, Siemens Smart Infrastructure

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Range of engineering plastics for the E&E industry

Ultramid^® unreinforced

Ultramid^® (PA: polyamide) has good electrical insulation properties, useful sliding friction performance, and excellent mechanical strength. It is available in a wide range of flame-retardant grades, and is therefore used in almost every sector of industrial control units, connection technology, electronics as well as in household appliances.

Ultramid^® reinforced

These materials are characterized by particularly high mechanical strength, hardness, rigidity, heat resistance and resistance to hot lubricants and hot water. Parts made from it are dimensionally constant and have a high creep strength.

Ultradur^® unreinforced

Ultradur^®, the polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) from BASF, has a specific combination of properties making it an ideal material for particular applications in electrical engineering and electronics. It shows not only high stiffness and good thermal resistance but also exceptional dimensional stability and excellent long-term electrical and thermal performance.

Ultradur^® reinforced

Ultradur^® demonstrates the full potential of its positive properties in a large number of glass-fibre-reinforced grades. Depending on the requirements, Ultradur^® grades with different glass fibre contents are available as standard, also with a share of over 50%. Processed into molded parts, these Ultradur^® grades are the top performers in assemblies that withstand high mechanical stresses, even at elevated temperatures, such as in the engine compartment of automobiles.

Ultrason^® unreinforced

BASF’s Ultrason^® grades are amorphous thermoplastics with high temperature resistance which are based on polyethersulfone (PESU), polysulfone (PSU), and polyphenylsulfone (PPSU). Particular features are their high dimensional stability and good mechanical properties that are substantially independent of temperature.

Ultrason^® reinforced

BASF's reinforced Ultrason^® grades have high rigidity and strength, sometimes at high temperatures, and are available with various glass fiber contents.

Elastollan^® unreinforced

The high-performance material Elastollan^®, the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) from BASF, has a versatile property profile that makes it an ideal material for applications in signal transmission and energy transfer.

Elastollan^® reinforced

Glass fiber reinforced TPU shows a very high rigidity, a low coefficient of thermal expansion and low shrinkage and very good impact strength.

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The application are as manifold as the properties of or products: Explore the various application possibilities!

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Plastics for Circuit Protection

When it comes to keeping the power on, reliability is the name of the game. Wherever electric power flows, plastics must possess excellent electrical properties together with good mechanical characteristics and also exhibit high heat resistance.

BASF's E/E materials - a new quantum leap

Focus topic: BASF and Siemens collaborate for sustainable 3RV2 circuit breaker