The ESP 9, latest generation of Bosch’s electronic stability program (ESP), is part of the safety package in many vehicles today. Its control housing is molded from the especially hydrolysis-resistant Ultradur® B4330G6 HR from BASF: This special compound from the PBT family satisfies the very demanding requirements faced by engineering plastics in hot-humid environments.

Severe test conditions
The new Ultradur® B4330G6 HR retains its material properties such as high strength, elasticity and impact strength during long-term testing at 85°C and 85% relative humidity. It withstands test periods of over 5000 hours without noticeable characteristics of aging. This is several times longer than the hydrolysis-resistant PBT used to date. Many materials compared already show significant degradation after only one third of this time.

Severe test conditions for electronic components in automobiles are no longer unusual today. As the result of continual downsizing, the operating temperature under the hood has increased continuously. In addition, electronic components from global suppliers are used in automobiles worldwide and for this reason must pass tests based on all international standards and test conditions.

Processing stability – laser marking – laser welding

An additional benefit of the hydrolysis-resistant Ultradur® is its stability during processing. Its rheological behavior, i.e. its flow characteristics, remain stable even after longer residence times in an injection molding machine. This is not something that can be taken for granted, as many additives that are used to improve the hydrolysis resistance can reduce the flowability quite considerably, with flowability worsening as the residence time and processing temperature increase.

The material is also suitable for laser marking and acts as a very good absorbing partner during laser welding. Suitability for laser marking is of special importance for the ESP 9 from Bosch, since considerable information about the component must be entered in the data matrix code on the plastic by means of a laser. At the same time, laser weldability is necessary in order to seal the cover (also molded from Ultradur) tightly after the electronics have been installed. Ultradur® B4330G6 HR is available from local production in Asia, Europe and the NAFTA region.

www.ultradur.de: A special brochure on the Ultradur HR grades can be downloaded here.

Additional information on Ultradur® (PBT) materials from BASF can be obtained at the e-mail Ultraplaste.infopoint@basf.com or calling the telephone number +49 (0) 621 60 78780.

A press photo is available at www.basf.de/pressphoto-database under the keyword “plastics” or by entering the search term “Ultradur”. Text and photo will also be available in BASF’s plastics press archive at: www.basf.de/plastics/pressreleases.
Dr. Sabine Philipp
Phone: +49 621 60-43348
Fax: +49 621 60-49497
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