Ultramid® T7000 from BASF: The ideal metal substitute for structural parts exposed to moisture

Ultramid^® T7000 - more durable than PA66

Ultramid^® T7000 outperforms PA66 in stiffness and strength, whether dry or in the presence of moisture. The polyphthalamide component ensures lower water absorption, contributing to the excellent dimensional stability of components. Injection moulding Ultramid^® T7000 is just as easy as injection moulding PA66, with the resulting parts having a glossy, smooth surface. This combination of properties makes the PA/PPA blend an ideal metal replacement for structural parts exposed to moisture, such as housings for vehicle exterior rear-view mirrors, air brake parts, valves, and also furniture components.

The PA/PPA blend Ultramid® T7000 is an ideal metal replacement for structural parts exposed to moisture, such as vehicle rear-view mirrors, air brake parts, valves and furniture components. Photo: BASF SE

All these components benefit from the mechanical properties of Ultramid^® T7000, and their design is optimised using BASF's Ultrasim^® simulation tool to reduce noise, harshness and vibration (NVH). The result is a more robust, corrosion-free assembly with greater durability. At the same time, using PA/PPA instead of metal delivers significant weight and cost savings.

Ultramid^® T7000 is available worldwide with various glass fibre contents of up to 60 % for highly stressed structural parts. Grades in laser-sensitive black and in black with an improved surface finish are also available. BASF offers a portfolio tailored to customers' various needs, covering performance, special certifications and sustainability. In cooperation with technical service, they focus on metal replacement opportunities that save weight and costs, enabled by the strength and stiffness of Ultramid^® T7000.

Supporting customers on their journey towards sustainability

Biomass Balance-based grades and the Ccycled^® product grade will also soon be available on the market, helping to reduce the carbon footprint of products and support sustainability. The fact that all plants in BASF's Performance Materials division in Europe producing engineering plastics compounds, polyurethanes, thermoplastic polyurethanes and specialty polymers will use electricity from renewable sources from 2025 will certainly help its customers on their journey towards sustainability.

Ludwigshafen am Rhein, the largest integrated chemical complex in the world. BASF's own combined-cycle gas-fired power plants generate electricity and process steam at an efficiency of 95 % with emissions well below the grid average. Photo: BASF

Electricity from renewable sources also plays an important role throughout the value chain, for example when selecting suppliers. The Performance Materials division of BASF sources glass fibres for reinforcing plastics from 3B Fibreglass, one of BASF's suppliers, which uses solar panels to generate electricity, thereby significantly reducing its carbon emissions. The lower carbon footprint of the glass fibres is then reflected in BASF's products and ultimately benefits its customers as well. Such improvements will also be implemented within BASF's value chain in the production of base polymers and other precursors for engineering plastics and polyurethanes.

BASF plans to transition to renewable energy sources across all its operations. The aim is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent by 2030 and achieve climate neutrality by 2050. This transition includes green steam from the electrification of processes and the use of alternative raw materials through a mass balance approach. In order to achieve this ambitious goal, BASF is focusing on renewable energy sources, optimising raw material procurement and production processes, as well as supporting the circular economy.