| BASF’s Ultramid® nylon specified
for FCI’s APEX automotive harness connectors
Resin provides toughness, consistency in various under-the-hood
applications
WYANDOTTE, Mich., November 22, 2004 -- FCI, Westland, Mich., uses
BASF’s Ultramid A3EG7, a glass-reinforced nylon 6,6 resin,
as the material of choice to produce its APEX 2.8 line of wire harness
connectors for automotive electrical and electronic systems in the
cockpit, instrument panel and engine compartments.
“Our APEX family of connectors must be reliable and rugged.
In addition to achieving these attributes, a key benefit in using
Ultramid nylon 6,6 grade is its ability to produce smaller connectors
without compromising performance,” said Ed de Chazal, Marketing
Manager, FCI. “Automotive manufacturers continuously challenge
us to accomplish this for future designs that will have more electronic
accessories in the same amount of space. Ultramid nylon will enable
us to produce connectors that are smaller with thinner walls, but
with even more connections, to meet this need.”
“Our engineers need every possible advantage to stay ahead
in this highly competitive market, including selecting engineering
plastics with superior mechanical performance like Ultramid A3EG7
nylon 6,6,” de Chazal added.
The Ultramid nylon 6,6 resin provides lot-to-lot consistency, enabling
a balance of ease of processing and tight tolerance coloring consistency
at the press with the stiffness and toughness needed for APEX 2.8
wire harness connectors to meet automotive manufacturers’
requirements for wire retention, high-temperature cycle endurance,
audible confirmation of connector mating, and complying with U.S.
Council for Automotive Research (USCAR) Class III performance criteria
for hydrolysis resistance (peak temperature of 145 degrees Celsius).
“The lot-to-lot consistency of Ultramid A3EG7 nylon 6,6 support
our achieving precisely matched colors in our presses and higher
production yields through its processing efficiency,” said
de Chazal.
“BASF is committed to bringing innovative engineering plastics
and value-added services to the automotive industry,” said
Mary Fraser, Marketing Manager, Automotive, for BASF’s Engineering
Plastics business in North America. “Our efforts and long-term
relationship with FCI represent the many ways BASF works closely
with customers to develop solutions that help them become more successful.”
More information is available on the Internet on FCI (www.fciconnect.com)
and BASF’s Engineering Plastics business (www.plasticsportal.com/usa).
FCI
Created in 1989, FCI – an Areva Group company – rapidly
secured its place among the world’s top three manufacturers
of connectors and interconnect systems. With revenues of 1.34 billion
Euros in 2003, FCI currently operates in 18 countries where it covers
the following markets: communications, data, consumer, industrial,
automotive and electrical power interconnect. The company employs
12,500 staff worldwide.
BASF – The Chemical Company. We don’t make
a lot of the products you buy. We make a lot of the products you
buy better.®
BASF Corporation, headquartered in New Jersey, is the North American
affiliate of BASF AG, Ludwigshafen, Germany. We employ about 11,000
people in North America and had sales of approximately $9 billion
in 2003. For more information about BASF’s North American
operations, or to sign up to receive news releases by e-mail, visit
www.basf.com/usa.
BASF is the world’s leading chemical company. Our goal is
to grow profitably and further increase the value of our company.
We help our customers to be more successful through intelligent
system solutions and high-quality products. BASF’s portfolio
ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products, agricultural
products and fine chemicals to crude oil and natural gas. Through
new technologies we can tap into additional market opportunities.
We conduct our business in accordance with the principles of sustainable
development. In 2003, BASF had sales of approximately $42 billion.
BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS),
London (BFA), New York (BF), Paris (BA) and Zurich (AN). Further
information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.
For more information, contact:
David A. Elliott
BASF
Tel: (734) 324-6148
E-mail: elliotd1@basf.com
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