Nylon producers extend its performance capabilities. (BASF AG; Elf-Atochem S.A.) (Engineering Polymers)

THREE PA majors and two compounders have extended their product ranges.

BASF, after development work on polymer structure, has added four new grades to its Ultramid product line, one for injection moulding and three for blow moulding. Ultramid A3K HF is a PA 6.6, the key property of which is considerably better flow than GP PA materials of the same molecular weight. This provides shorter moulding cycles, up to 40 per cent in the laboratory, and mouldings are said to show enhanced toughness at sub-zero temperatures. It is available in natural, and typical applications envisaged by BASF for the grade are thin-walled and long-flow items, such as cable ties.

The blow …