BASF (Ludwigshafen / Germany; www.basf.com) has developed a semi-crystalline PA that allows light to pass through largely unhindered. The German company claims its "Ultramid" Vision is the world’s first semi-crystalline PA for semi-transparent or transparent components in chemically challenging environments.

Ultramid Vision combines very high light transmission with low light scattering and offers, said BASF, a "compelling choice" versus alternative materials, such as amorphous aliphatic PAs, PC or styrene-acrylonitrile copolymers, thanks to its balanced property profile and resistance to high-temperatures, chemicals and UV degradation.

Coloured grades are available in addition to the uncoloured base version – Ultramid VisionB3K un – and BASF said that luminous colour effects can be achieved, offering a wide range of design possibilities. There is also the option of producing specially equipped products featuring diffuse light scattering along with high light transmittance.

The resin can be combined with other PA materials in a multi-component injection-moulding process, leading to easy production of multi-functional parts with transparent or illuminated sections. Potential applications for Ultramid Vision include those requiring a visual check such as level indicators, covers for lighting elements, back-lit switches and buttons.