BASF (Ludwigshafen / Germany; www.basf.com) has developed a range of PA 6 and 6.6 grades for use in sensitive electronic applications such as control units and sensors in cars. The new “Ultramid” EQ (electronic quality) grades help prevent corrosive damage to circuits. BASF said they are extremely pure, meaning they have hardly any electrically active or corrosion-generating contents.

The delicate circuits in modern electronic assemblies are increasingly connected by thin wires to semiconductors and can suffer from corrosion, ion migration and electrolyte formation. As a result, creep currents can arise, which, in extreme cases, may cause entire assemblies to fail.

All “Ultramid” EQ products have an organic heat stabiliser with a very low halogen content of less than 1 ppm. This prevents halogens such as iodine or bromine from damaging the metal wiring, ions from reacting with the metals, and unwanted electric currents being generated.

The portfolio is available worldwide and includes uncoloured and black grades with glass fibre contents of 30% and 35%, which can also be marked with lasers. The grades are well-suited for use in electric and hybrid vehicles with elevated AC and DC voltages as well.