MATERIALS | ELECTRICAL & ELECTRONICS
Above: BASF says its PA66/6T compounds bridge the gap between
conventional PA66 and PPA
small, complex E&E components such as high- voltage connectors and miniature circuit breakers (MCBs), and parts in electric powertrains and consumer electronics. Ultramid T6340 G6, for instance, can be used in high-voltage connectors for electric vehicles at elevated temperatures. “Tests have proven that mould temperatures of 90-110°C have no significant influence on its mechanical properties and surface appearance,” said Andreas Stockheim, from PPA business development at BASF. “This means manufacturers can use their existing PA66 equipment – like water cooling for moulds – and save energy in compari- son to manufacturing PPAs.”
Cutting carbon Lati says it has helped Schneider Electric to cut the carbon footprint of a range of miniature circuit breakers (MCBs). After helping Schneider to reduce emissions on
a range of junction boxes – which were made with HDPE from its LatiGEA 45/7-GW range – it has now supplied its LatiECO compounds for the new RESI9 DPN XE MCBs.
Right: Domo’s new PA66 will be used in a series of circuit breakers from Siemens
An MCB is designed to cut off
current in case of an overload or short circuit. Compliant with EN 60898 standards, it is widely used in residential, commercial and industrial environments. It combines thermal and magnetic protection to ensure safety and reliability in electrical panels. To ensure high perfor- mance with a sustainable approach, the materials used in MCBs must meet stringent requirements, including: enough
22 INJECTION WORLD | October 2025
mechanical strength to handle internal overpres- sure; arc management capability; thermal and environmental stability; flame retardancy and electrical safety (such as UL94 and GWFI); dimen- sional accuracy and surface aesthetics; and, suitability for laser marking. Schneider chose LatiECO 62 CR H2 G/20-V2HF, which uses a high percentage of Econyl – a chemi- cally recycled PA6 from post-industrial and post- consumer sources from Aquafil. It passed all required tests, offering the same performance as fossil-based alternatives, including: UL94 V-2 rating down to 0.75mm; GWFI of 960°C at 1 and 2mm; and a superior aesthetic finish and laser markability. The material helped Schneider to cut the carbon footprint of the MCB’s plastic casing by 25%, without compromising performance.
Circuit breakers Domo Chemicals has developed and validated a new polyamide 66 that will be used in a series of circuit breakers from Siemens. Siemens will use the Technyl 4Earth grade, which incorporates recycled plastic and flame- retardant technology, in its Sentron 5SV3 residual current circuit breakers (RCCBs). Composed of 50% recycled content, including chemically recycled PA6 from post-industrial and post-consumer sources – as well as glass reinforce- ment – the material reduces the environmental impact of the manufacturing process without affecting performance or quality. “We want to lead the industry with smart, sustain- able technology,” said Andreas Matthé, CEO of electrical products at Siemens Smart Infrastructure. “It’s our ‘new normal’ to deploy as much sustainable material as possible for each new product.” Technyl 4Earth C 52G1 V25 CR GY 2747 is used for most parts of the covers and housings. It is UL certified, guaranteeing its quality and safety standards. The solution uses a phosphorous- and halogen- free flame retardant. The PA6 offers good moulding and electrical properties and can be easily customised to match colour requirements – in this case, light grey. “With Technyl 4Earth, we combine high performance with various CO2
reduction
targets,” said Juha Jokinen, chief commercial officer for engineered materials at
Domo.
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IMAGE: BASF
IMAGE: SIEMENS
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