Does the BASF release guarantee more than 100,000 hours for all PA grades?
No. It describes a specific BASF material programme and an extrapolation based on its testing and analysis. The grade and full protocol are not disclosed in the release.
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Hydrolysis-Resistant Polyamide for eMobility: What Buyers Should Verify
BASF reported in January 2026 that a glass-fibre-reinforced, low-halogen Ultramid polyamide was tested under water-glycol hydrolysis conditions and that service life was extrapolated to more than 100,000 hours using Arrhenius analysis. The grade was not named in the release, and the extrapolated value is not a universal field-life guarantee.
Why water-glycol exposure matters
Polyamide components in eMobility pumps and valves may be exposed to elevated temperatures and water-glycol mixtures over long operating periods. Hydrolysis can affect polymer molecular structure and, over time, mechanical-property retention.
A material specification should state coolant composition, temperature profile, pressure, mechanical stress, component geometry, required service life and the failure criteria used for qualification.
What the BASF report says—and does not say
BASF reported a five-year test programme and used Arrhenius analysis to extrapolate properties of a latest-generation glass-fibre-reinforced, low-halogen Ultramid polyamide to more than 100,000 hours under the described conditions. The release discusses requirements of 45,000–55,000 operating hours for certain eMobility components.
The public release does not identify the exact grade, glass-fibre content, coolant formulation, specimen stress, full test protocol or failure threshold. The extrapolated figure should therefore be attributed to BASF and not treated as a general PA specification or warranty.
What procurement and engineering teams should request
Request the exact PA6 or PA66 grade, reinforcement level, current TDS, hydrolysis test method, water-glycol composition, ageing temperature, property-retention data and the model assumptions used for service-life extrapolation.
Also verify moulding conditions, moisture control, weld-line performance, dimensional stability, chemical compatibility and the relevant batch documentation. A grade-level datasheet alone may not replace component-level validation.
Buyer checklist
- Exact PA family and manufacturer grade code
- Glass-fibre content and reinforcement details
- Coolant chemistry and water-glycol concentration
- Temperature, pressure, stress and ageing conditions
- Hydrolysis test method and property-retention criteria
- Arrhenius model assumptions and extrapolation limits
- Current TDS, batch COA and component-level validation plan
Frequently asked questions
Is heat ageing the same as hydrolysis testing?
No. Hydrolysis testing evaluates exposure to moisture or water-based media at defined conditions. Dry-heat ageing does not automatically reproduce water-glycol exposure.
What should be specified before sourcing PA for a coolant-contact part?
Define the exact coolant, temperature profile, pressure, stress, service-life target, test method, property-retention criteria and component validation requirements.
Technical references
Related buyer guides and research
This article provides general procurement and material research guidance. It is not a substitute for grade-specific technical documents, testing, regulatory review or written commercial confirmation. Third-party cases are attributed to their original publishers and do not imply a STOPWOO customer or supplier relationship.
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