BASF launches new PPA, adopted by Gehr

Recently, BASF's new polyphthalamide (PPA), Ultramid Advanced N5H UN, is being used by plastics processors to produce billets with a diameter of 50 mm. Gehr, headquartered in Mannheim, Germany, was the first company to successfully extrude PPA.

BASF claims that Ultramid Advanced N5H has excellent mechanical properties at high temperatures due to its semi-aromatic chemical structure. It is resistant to chemicals and hydrolysis even in aggressive environments and has good lubricity-these characteristics are maintained above 100°C. Due to its low water absorption, its mechanical properties remain stable over a wide temperature range. BASF added that even in humid environments, this long-chain high-performance material has the highest dimensional stability of all polyamides.

"Gehr was the first company to successfully use PPA for extrusion," said Philipp Wenz, sales director of BASF's High Performance Materials Group. "With its expertise in extrusion, Gehr has developed that it can produce blanks without voids. shape.

"We are not sure whether this is the world's first semi-finished product made of PPA. Wenz added that because PPA cannot be extruded well, high-performance materials have not yet played an important role in the semi-finished product market.

BASF explained that Ultramid Advanced N5H has narrowed the market gap between semi-finished products made of polyetheretherketone (PEEK) and polyarylsulfone (PAS) and parts made of engineering plastics. Compared with the latter, it can be used at continuous operating temperatures well above 120°C. In addition to rod materials, BASF materials are also suitable for other profiles.

Bernhard Grosskinsky, director of application technology at Gehr, said: "Compared with other PPAs on the market, BAFS's PPA is easier to handle. It provides us with a wide processing range and at the same time provides high melt stability. The quality of the material is always maintained No change, so we can maintain stable production of semi-finished parts. Another advantage of BASF PPA is that it is easy to produce finished components from semi-finished products through semi-processing."

Gehr uses the new Ultramid Advanced N5H in a range of applications, including components with high operating temperatures, pump parts, gears, thermostat housings and slide rails that require precise dimensional stability. In the automotive industry, this material is suitable for components that come into contact with engine and transmission oils, coolants, acids, salts, and de-icing fluids.