The material, which is part of BASF’s Ultramid® Advanced PPA portfolio, is tailored for high-voltage connectors and other e-mobility applications requiring halide-free, heat- and moisture-resistant component.
BASF
has expanded its polyphthalamide (PPA) portfolio with Ultramid® Advanced N3U42G6, a new flame-retardant polyamide 9T developed to boost the safety and longevity of electric vehicle (EV) components. The material, launched with automotive supplier KOSTAL Kontakt Systeme, addresses increasing industry demands for halide-free electrical and electronic parts in warm, humid conditions.
Ultramid® Advanced N3U42G6 features a non-halogenated flame retardant that minimises electro-corrosion of metal contacts in high-voltage connectors, such as those used in inverters, DC-DC converters, and batteries. Its high strength, stiffness across a broad temperature range, outstanding chemical resistance and dimensional stability make it ideal for modern e-mobility applications.
As one of the first to adopt the material, KOSTAL integrates the new PPA in its compact KS22 Class 4 high-voltage connectors for high-current modules. The compound’s superior flowability supports miniaturisation and space-saving designs. It also provides high electrical insulation, particularly at elevated temperatures, and a high elongation at break—preventing stress whitening during assembly.
The material complies with EN 50642 as halide-free, extending component lifetimes by avoiding corrosion in heat- and moisture-exposed environments. It achieves UL94 V-0 fire protection at 0.25 mm thickness. Available pre-coloured or with UL-certified masterbatches, the PPA offers excellent colour stability and retention—even after 1,000 hours at up to 150°C—making it suitable for safety-relevant colour coding such as RAL 2003 orange.
“Our new non-halogenated grade combines the excellent properties of our superhero Ultramid® Advanced N with better colourability, long color stability and outstanding anti-corrosion effect. With this optimized PA9T, our customers can develop innovative, best-in-class E&E components supported by BASF’s proven flame-retardant expertise and material know-how for electronics manufacturing,” has stated Volker Zeiher from technical development engineering plastics at BASF.
Ultramid® Advanced N3U42G6 is also optimised for use in surface mount technology (SMT), thanks to its low moisture uptake and high heat distortion temperature of 265°C. This ensures stable dimensions during processing and reduces blistering and waste.
The product forms part of BASF’s broader Ultramid® Advanced PPA portfolio, which includes more than 50 grades tailored for high-performance plastic applications across sectors such as automotive, electronics, and industrial manufacturing.