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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. 

Technyl® is now Ultramid® 

Find out more about the products coming from the recent acquisition of the Solvay Polyamide Business below.
Find out more 

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
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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.

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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: Plastics for wallbox applications

If you want a relaxed drive with your electric car, you better have a charging station at home. Function and safety are decisive criteria here, but optics and design are also becoming more and more important. In the Wallbox Demonstrator, BASF is showing some plastic materials that are ideally suited for certain application points in a wallbox and that cover the high requirements in the wallbox sector particularly well thanks to their product performance.

Wallbox RSW Teaser

Ultramid® B3GK24 RSW

The Ultramid® shows low distortion and offers very high mechanical strength. The material achieves the UL94 HB flame retardant classification.

A special polyamide for high-gloss components without additional coating. The material shows high resistance to scratches, chemicals and UV.

More about Ultramid® Deep Gloss

Ultramid® DeepGloss RSW

Ultramid® Vision RSW

The first semi-crystalline and semi-transparent polyamide that allows light to pass through largely unhindered. The polyamide combines chemical, temperature and scratch resistance with colorable transparency.

More about Ultramid® Vision

Based on non-halogenated flame retardant additives, both materials have a UL94-V0 flame retardant classification and are easy to color. The low content of halides counteracts contact corrosion.

More about Ultramid® and Ultradur®

Ultramid® Ultradur® FlameRet RSW

Elastollan® RSW

The material combines properties such as abrasion resistance and flame retardancy in ideal balance with mechanics, usability and flexibility over a wide temperature range while offering strong UV, weather and ozone resistance.

More about Elastollan®

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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 basis of the Ultramid® grades are polyamides which are supplied in a variety of molecular weights or viscosities, have a range of additives and are reinforced with glass fibers or minerals. More detailed information on the individual products can be found in the Ultramid® product range.

The Ultramid® range comprises the following groups of products:

Ultramid® A

in its unreinforced state, it is an extremely rigid, abrasion-resistant, heat-resistant and hard material. It is one of the preferred materials for parts subject to mechanical and thermal stresses in electrical, mechanical and automotive engineering.

Ultramid® B

in its unreinforced state, it is a tough, hard material affording parts with good damping characteristics and high shock resistance even in dry state and at low temperatures. It is particularly tough and easy to process. Translucent products are also available under the name Ultramid® Vision.

Ultramid® C

is the name given to copolyamides made from PA6 or PA66 monomers that exhibit different melting points or a lower crystallinity according to their composition.

Ultramid® D

are blends of PA6 and PA66 and other polyamides with customized properties, available as unreinforced grades (e.g. Ultramid® Deep Gloss D3K) and reinforced grades (e.g. Ultramid® Endure D3G7 BK20560).

Ultramid® S Balance

is mostly based on natural resources and is particularly resistant to chemicals and is also known for its low moisture absorption. Ultramid® S Balance is preferably used in components that come into contact with media.

Ultramid® T KR

is a polyphthalamide and has the lowest mold temperatures and highest toughness of all PPAs. Like other PPAs, it offers good dimensional stability, high chemical resistance and constant mechanical properties covering a wide range of different applications.

Ultramid® Advanced N

is a polyphthalamide which has lowest water uptake, highest Tg cond., excellent chemical and hydrolysis resistance and a high toughness. Unreinforced materials are suitable for extrusion.

Ultramid® Advanced T1000

is a polyphthalamide which offers the highest strength and stiffness of all Ultramid® grades and stable mechanical properties up to ~120 °C (dry) and 80 °C (cond.). It is resistant against aggressive media and has a low water uptake.

Ultramid® Advanced T2000

is a polyphthalamide providing good E&E performance with a high melting point, excellent flowability, low water absorption, good mechanical properties at high temperatures and good chemical resistance.

Glass-fiber reinforced Ultramid® 

These materials are distinguished by high mechanical strength, hardness, rigidity, thermostability and resistance to hot lubricants and hot water. Parts made from them show dimensional stability and high creep strength. Glass-fiber reinforced Ultramid® T also has extraordinarily high heat resistance (up to 280°C). 

Reinforced and unreinforced grades with flame retardants

The modified Ultramid® grades C3U, A3X2G5, A3X2G7, A3X2G10, B3U50G6, A3U42G6, A3XZC3, B3UG4, B3U30G6 and T KR 4365 G5 are particularly suitable for electrical components with high flame retardance and high tracking resistance.

Mineral- and glass bead-filled Ultramid®

Materials filled with minerals and glass beads show increased rigidity, good dimensional stability, low tendency to warp, optically appealing surfaces, partly excellent ability for metallizing and good flow characteristics.

 

Specific Ultramid® Grades

The product range of Ultramid® also comprises grades for special applications.

  1. 1
    Ultramid® Endure: 
    Heat-resistant polyamide
  2. 2
    Ultramid® Structure
    Polyamide with long glass fiber reinforcement
  3. 3
    Ultramid® Advanced N: 
    Polyphthalamide (PPA) for challenging applications
  4. 4
    Ultramid® Advanced T1000
    Polyphthalamide (PPA) – one T for 1000 tasks
  5. 5
    Ultramid® Advanced T2000
    Polypthalamide (PPA) – Connecting strengths
  6. 6
    Ultramid® Deep Gloss
  7. 7
    Ultramid® Vision
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More Information

All information in one place: From technical articles, case studies and brochures, to data sheets and certificates.
Information & Certificates

Successful customer projects

Proven in practice: These case studies demonstrate the successful use of Ultramid® in customer projects.
Read More

BASF's new range of products that are now part of the Ultramid® family

Versatility in material and application

New Ultramid® grades coming from the recent acquisition of the Solvay Polyamide business are supplied in a variety of molecular weights or viscosities and can have a range of additives. This makes Ultramid the ideal material to meet demanding applications in the automotive, construction, consumer electronics, consumer goods industries, as well as various industrial applications. 

Please note: BASF will market and sell the former Polyamide products acquired 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.

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.

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Technical information and datasheets

If you need documents or further information on any of the new Ultramid® grades, please download them here. 


By downloading these data sheets, you acknowledge the current restrictions around these products: BASF does not sell or market the former Solvay Technyl product range, now rebranded under the Ultramid brand name, in the European Economic Area and Switzerland until February 2022. BASF currently sells and markets these products in all other countries.

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Ultramid® A3XZC3 ESD for use in ex-zones

Ultramid® A3XZC3 ESD (ElectroStatic Discharge) is the first material with an excellent combination of flammability properties, mechanical properties and reduced surface resistivity. It is the perfect choice for personal safety equipment and for usage in ex-zones because of a wide range of excellent characteristics like electrostatic discharge, low density and lighter components with the same mechanical performance.
Read more
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Products for high voltage connectors

With the Ultramid® DC grades (Durable Color), BASF is expanding its portfolio of engineering plastics for the eMobility market – even in the flame-retardant sector. High technical requirements from the industry require innovative solutions based on PA66 and PA6. In the case of already proven Ultradur® (PBT) products, color stability can be largely guaranteed, especially in orange (RAL 2003) which is in high demand in the industry. Laser markability is partially possible.

Conventional polyamides, however, tend to strong color fluctuations or yellowing during heat aging. 

Application range

The applications are as manifold as its product properties: Explore the various application possibilities of Ultramid®!

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Appliances

Energy efficient! Appliance materials from BASF.  Our products for your innovations in household appliances e.g in kitchen.
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Automotive Electrics and Electronics

Our engineering plastics and polyurethanes enable innovative solutions, which make electronic systems for the automotive industry indispensable when it comes to safety, comfort and energy efficiency in modern vehicle concepts. Innovation in automotive design is driven by electrical, electronic and mechatronic systems.
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Automotive Interior

With BASF high-tech materials you can achieve modern automotive interior design. They are distinguished not only by high-class surface quality, exclusive appearance and a long service life, but also by efficient production and a service that is second to none.
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Cable Sheathing

Cable sheathing for the protection of valuable and sensitive energy and control lines has to meet the highest requirements.
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Cold storage on the rise –  High performance insulation solution 

The pandemic and the fact that people were asked to stay home, has significantly increased the demand for fresh food products. Additionally, vaccine products which require reliable storage and transportation to maintain their efficacy has also increased the demand for cold chain logistics. With Elastopir, BASF helps customers to go beyond to create superior products that enable better and safer cold chain solutions. 
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Commercial

Public buildings, industrial and office buildings play a key role in our economic and social environment. With our products for the construction sector, we help to make commercial buildings energy-efficient, more durable and economic.
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Connectors

Plug connectors are used for detachable connections of electrical lines (e.g. for service purposes). Globally, there are numerous standards for these parts of connection technology, and materials for plugs and plug connectors are subject to strict testing as well.
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Electrical Components

Plastics for electrical household appliances have to meet a variety of requirements. These are based on the type of application of a component (e.g. an electrical insulator such as a plug connector or a program selector switch), and are defined in the series of standards IEC 60335.
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We create modern and durable car exteriors that meet both - design and functionality requirements.

Exterior

From headlamp housings via door handles to the roof – BASF’s engineering plastics, polyurethanes and additives offer for all exterior applications the right combination of lightweight, appearance, functionality and system costs.
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Miniature Circuit Breakers

Circuit breakers protect circuits and reliably cut off the power supply in case of emergency. This occurs in case of brief power surges as well as continuous overload. Plastics used for the construction of such breakers have to meet the highest demands.
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Powertools

To be effective in the marketplace powertools must offer outstanding performance, durability and efficiency. BASF materials are well-established solutions in this field and offer outstanding product properties such as high stiffness, excellent impact strength, best flame resistance and very good media resistance.
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Powertrain

BASF is a reliable partner for the development of sophisticated powertrain components. Instead of using metal, these components can be produced using our engineering plastics and additives. This has many advantages: weight savings of up to 25 percent, easier processing and lower system costs.
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Residential

Building construction and use account for about 30 percent of global energy consumption. Sustainable construction becomes increasingly important for climate protection and resource conservation. Our products and development work contribute to both cost-effective and eco-friendly building construction and design.
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Sports Performance

Extremely light, outstanding durability, comfortable to wear and excellent running properties – no problem with our materials for midsoles in sports footwear.
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Switchgears

Switchgears are defined as the electrical equipment in industrial applications for the control, protection and automation of low-voltage installations (<1kV). Machinery, installations ‒ in short, the entire industrial production process converts large amounts of electrical energy.
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Terminal Blocks

From control panels for industrial productions to fuse boxes in private homes: Terminal blocks ensure safe currents. Plastics used to manufacture terminal blocks have to meet high requirements for fire protection and mechanical and thermal properties.
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Our service package

We offer our customers a comprehensive range of services with leading technologies and products. Find the service that matches your needs!

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Fire Technology Lab

The Fire Testing Laboratory of BASF deals with all questions related to fire behavior and flammability of BASF products. Our laboratory is accredited according to ISO/IEC 17025 and offers flammability and fire testing services to external customers.
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Materials Testing Lab

The Laboratory for Materials Testing is responsible for the execution and the assessment of a large number of plastics-related tests. Our main task is to satisfy the demand of internal customers for testing and consulting. Due to our accreditation according to ISO/IEC 17025, we can offer our services also to external customers.
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Parts Testing, Optimization and Joining Technologies Lab

We work on complex technical challenges in the field of plastics development and application. For this, a variety of test equipment as well as facilities for different joining technologies are available. We provide technical support for development and sales for all BASF sites and for customers worldwide.
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Self-Coloring Plastics

Self-Coloring

Many BASF plastics can be self-colored easily and economically during processing. This leads to advantages for you in purchasing, production, logistics and marketing.
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Injection Molding Troubleshooter

The demands on the quality of injection-molded components made from engineering thermoplastics have become ever more stringent in the past few years. This is due to the higher quality awareness among end consumers. In addition, technically sophisticated moldings are becoming more of a requirement in today’s projects.
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Die Entwicklungsingenieure Rie Kaneko und Torsten Hensel besprechen anhand eines Querschnittmodells den Aufbau des Leichtbau-Komfortsitzes. Mit Hilfe der eingesetzten E-Textile-Technologie kann die Sitzheizung direkt in Textilen und somit nahe am Körper angebracht werden. Elastoflex®-Weichschaumstoffe in den Sitzflächen sparen bis zu 20 Prozent Gewicht und bieten gleichzeitig ergonomische Vorteile durch verschiedene Härtezonen. Abdruck honorarfrei. Copyright by BASF. Development engineers Rie Kaneko and Torsten Hensel discuss the structure of the lightweight comfort seat using a cross-section model. By means of the e-textile technology used, the seat heating can be directly embedded in the textile and is thus close to the body. Elastoflex® flexible foams in the sitting areas save up to 20 percent weight and at the same time provide ergonomic advantages by means of various hardness zones. Print free of charge. Copyright by BASF.,Die Entwicklungsingenieure Rie Kaneko und Torsten Hensel besprechen anhand eines Querschnittmodells den Aufbau des Leichtbau-Komfortsitzes. Mit Hilfe der eingesetzten E-Textile-Technologie kann die Sitzheizung direkt in Textilen und somit nahe am Körper angebracht werden. Elastoflex®-Weichschaumstoffe in den Sitzflächen sparen bis zu 20 Prozent Gewicht und bieten gleichzeitig ergonomische Vorteile durch verschiedene Härtezonen. Abdruck honorarfrei. Copyright by BASF. Development engineers Rie Kaneko and Torsten Hensel discuss the structure of the lightweight comfort seat using a cross-section model. By means of the e-textile technology used, the seat heating can be directly embedded in the textile and is thus close to the body. Elastoflex® flexible foams in the sitting areas save up to 20 percent weight and at the same time provide ergonomic advantages by means of various hardness zones. Print free of charge. Copyright by BASF.

Infopoints

Contact our infopoints if you have questions about our plastic material. We are looking forward to receive your enquiry!
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CAMPUS®

CAMPUS® (Computer Aided Material Preselection by Uniform Standards) is the only plastics database which offers truly comparable material data measured according to binding international standards. It has become the most successful material database worldwide.
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Bei der Gestaltung der einteiligen, selbsttragenden Kunststoff-Sitzschale wurde das inzwischen universell einsetzbare Computersimulationsinstrument ULTRASIMTM der BASF SE eingesetzt. In der Entwicklungsphase wurde die Sitzschale aus dem Kunststoff Ultramid® mit Hilfe des Simulationsinstruments virtuell ausgelegt. Die BASF-Entwickler nutzten dies unter anderem zur Konstruktionsberechnung und zur Belastungssimulation der Sitzschale. Abdruck honorarfrei. Copyright by BASF. In the design of the one-piece, self-supporting plastic seat shell, use was made of what is now BASFâ s universal computer simulation instrument ULTRASIMTM. In the development phase, the seat shell of the plastic Ultramid® was virtually designed by means of the simulation instrument. The BASF developers used this for example to calculate the construction and for the stress simulation of the seat shell. Print free of charge. Copyright by BASF.,Bei der Gestaltung der einteiligen, selbsttragenden Kunststoff-Sitzschale wurde das inzwischen universell einsetzbare Computersimulationsinstrument ULTRASIMTM der BASF SE eingesetzt. In der Entwicklungsphase wurde die Sitzschale aus dem Kunststoff Ultramid® mit Hilfe des Simulationsinstruments virtuell ausgelegt. Die BASF-Entwickler nutzten dies unter anderem zur Konstruktionsberechnung und zur Belastungssimulation der Sitzschale. Abdruck honorarfrei. Copyright by BASF. In the design of the one-piece, self-supporting plastic seat shell, use was made of what is now BASF’s universal computer simulation instrument ULTRASIMTM. In the development phase, the seat shell of the plastic Ultramid® was virtually designed by means of the simulation instrument. The BASF developers used this for example to calculate the construction and for the stress simulation of the seat shell. Print free of charge. Copyright by BASF.

Ultrasim®

Ultrasim® is the versatile and flexible CAE competence for your innovations using BASF plastics. Our calculation of component concepts on a virtual basis starts with appropriate materials and adequate material models, ranging from the virtual prototype and ideal manufacturing process to the finished mass-produced component.
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Housing made of Ultramid® in Amperfied wallbox connect.home

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From scrap tires to door handles

Get in touch with an Ultramid® expert!

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Last Update February 14, 2023