BASF expands into long fibre PA compounds

The company has been producing long fibre products on a pilot scale pultrusion line for the past two years and has sampled a number of key potential customers. It said in a statement issue last week it is currently investing in industrial scale plant in the run-up to a full scale launch at the K2010 show.

Initially, BASF’s Ultramid Structure LF products will be based on PA6 and PA66 materials with long fibre reinforcement levels of between 40 and 60%. Fibre length is 12mm.

BASF says that the automotive industry is a key target market for the new products, with potential applications including engine mounts and seat insert structures. In many cases, Structure LF grades will replace metals in applications such as die cast aluminium components.

The company is supporting the introduction of the new compounds with an upgrade of its Ultrasim computer-based simulation programme, allowing it to be used to simulate performance and failure of long fibre reinforced moulded components.

BASF is joining some long established players in the long fibre reinforced compounds market, including Ticona – which recently added to its Celstran long fibre business with the acquisition of FACT of Germany – and the LNP division of Sabic Innovative Plastics.