Ultramid B3S: specs and equivalent grades
BASF easy-flowing, finely crystalline polyamide 6 (nylon 6) for very fast injection molding. Published data, grades from other producers to ask about, and how to request a quote from one gaylord.
Request a QuoteThe short answer
Ultramid B3S is BASF's easy-flowing, finely crystalline polyamide 6 (nylon 6), sold for very fast injection molding of thin-walled technical parts such as housings, fittings, grips, small parts and fixing clamps. Published melt volume rate is 160 cm³/10 min, measured at 275°C / 527°F, 5 kg, ISO 1133 (viscosity number 145 cm³/g), and density is 1.13 g/cm³ (ISO 1183). Grades from other producers to ask about include Aegis H8202NLB, Durethan B30S and Akulon K222-D. They are not identical, so compare the data sheets and run a trial before switching.
Buying Ultramid B3S: one gaylord to a railcar · supplier COA on every prime lot · ships from 22+ partner warehouse locations · a polymer chemist checks the grade code before we quote · we aim to quote within one to three business days
Have a part number or drawing callout?
Paste it as written. A polymer chemist will tell you which grade it calls for, suggest equivalents and quote it by email.
Ultramid B3S specs from the data sheet
Typical values from BASF's published data (Material Data Center copy and BASF processing data sheet, September 2026). Dry / conditioned values are shown where the sheet gives both. Typical values are not specifications; the lot COA shows what you actually receive. Values only compare at the same test method and condition.
| Property | Value | Test method or note |
|---|---|---|
| Producer (brand owner) | BASF | Data sheet |
| Polymer | Polyamide 6 (nylon 6), unreinforced, finely crystalline | |
| Process | Injection molding, very fast processing | |
| Melt flow | MVR 160 cm³/10 min (viscosity number 145 cm³/g, ISO 307) | 275°C / 527°F, 5 kg, ISO 1133 |
| Density | 1.13 g/cm³ (1,130 kg/m³, ISO 1183) | |
| Tensile modulus, dry / conditioned | 3,500 / 1,200 MPa (508,000 / 174,000 psi) | ISO 527 |
| Yield stress, dry / conditioned | 90 / 45 MPa (13,100 / 6,530 psi) | ISO 527 |
| Nominal strain at break, dry / conditioned | 10 / >50 % | ISO 527 |
| Notched Charpy impact, 23°C, dry / conditioned | 4 / 50 kJ/m² | ISO 179/1eA |
| HDT 1.8 MPa / 0.45 MPa (dry) | 65°C / 149°F; 180°C / 356°F | ISO 75 |
| Melting temperature / glass transition (dry) | 220°C / 428°F; 60°C / 140°F | ISO 11357 |
| Vicat softening temperature, 50 N, 50°C/h | 204°C / 399°F | ISO 306 |
| Mold shrinkage, parallel / normal | 0.9 % / 0.9 % | ISO 294-4 |
| Water absorption: saturation / humidity | 9.5 % / 3 % | Similar to ISO 62 |
| Drying | 80°C / 176°F for about 4 h; BASF recommends 0.03–0.06 % moisture and warns that overdrying raises melt viscosity | BASF processing data sheet |
| Melt / mold temperature | 250–270°C (482–518°F), 260°C optimum / 40–60°C (104–140°F) | BASF processing data sheet |
| Packaging | Bags and octagonal bulk containers (IBC) with liner; silo shipment by agreement | BASF processing data sheet |
| Food contact | The data sheets make no food-contact statement. Ask for the producer's regulatory letter for the exact grade and color. |
Source data sheets are listed at the bottom of this page. Confirm against the current sheet for your exact grade code and color.
Grades to ask about instead of Ultramid B3S
These grades from other producers have similar published specs. None is a drop-in replacement: additive packages, flow at molding shear rates, color and approvals differ. If your part, drawing or customer approval names Ultramid B3S, any change needs your approval and usually a trial.
| Grade | Producer | Melt flow | Density | Key property | How it compares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aegis H8202NLB | AdvanSix (U.S. producer) | 9.8 g/10 min (235°C / 455°F, 1.0 kg, ASTM D1238); formic acid viscosity 49 (ASTM D789) | 1.13 g/cm³ (ASTM D792) | Tensile modulus 2,850 MPa; yield strength 79 MPa (ASTM D638); notched Izod 60 J/m (ASTM D256); HDT 65°C at 1.8 MPa (ASTM D648) | Partial match. Unfilled, low/medium viscosity, non-lubricated PA6 homopolymer for filling thin sections. ASTM data, so values do not convert directly from BASF's ISO figures. The sheet does not say it is nucleated, so cycle time may differ. It is non-lubricated, while BASF's Material Data Center entry for B3S lists lubricants and release agent, so check feeding and part ejection. Quote this alternative › |
| Durethan B30S | Envalior (former LANXESS line) | Not published (viscosity number 134 cm³/g, ISO 307) | 1.14 g/cm³ (ISO 1183) | Tensile modulus 3,000 / 1,000 MPa dry / conditioned; yield stress 80 MPa dry (ISO 527); HDT 60°C at 1.8 MPa; UL 94 V-2 at 1.5 and 3.0 mm | Partial match. Unreinforced injection-molding PA6 with a viscosity number close to B3S. It carries a UL 94 V-2 listing that the B3S sheet does not show. Confirm supply region with Envalior. Quote this alternative › |
| Akulon K222-D | Envalior (former DSM line) | Not published | 1.13 g/cm³ (ISO 1183) | Tensile modulus 3,800 MPa; notched Charpy 8 kJ/m² at 23°C (ISO 179/1eA); HDT 60°C at 1.8 MPa; V-2 at 1.5 and 3.0 mm (UL 94 class, IEC 60695-11-10; no UL file shown); conditioning not stated | Partial match. Listed as low-viscosity PA6. Values come from a distributor copy that does not say dry or conditioned; ask Envalior for the current sheet. Quote this alternative › |
From each producer's published data (Akulon K222-D from a distributor copy). Brand owners and grade names change; confirm on the current data sheet.
Typical uses for Ultramid B3S
From BASF's data sheet:
- Thin-walled technical parts
- Housings
- Fittings
- Grips
- Small parts and fixing clamps
What to check before you switch
- BASF sells B3S as "finely crystalline" for very fast processing. A PA6 that is not described that way can fill the same tool but may need longer cooling, so check cycle time, not only fill.
- Viscosity scales differ: BASF gives MVR and viscosity number (ISO), AdvanSix gives MFR at 235°C / 1.0 kg and formic acid viscosity (ASTM). These do not convert one to one.
- Flame rating: Durethan B30S lists UL-recognized V-2 and the Akulon K222-D copy lists V-2 (IEC 60695-11-10); the B3S data we found shows no UL rating. If your drawing calls out a UL listing, check the yellow card for the exact grade.
- Nylon 6 absorbs more water than nylon 66 (9.5 % at saturation for B3S) and loses stiffness when conditioned (3,500 to 1,200 MPa). See nylon swelling and moisture and nylon 6 vs. nylon 66.
- Do not overdry: BASF notes that overdrying B3S raises melt viscosity. Keep containers sealed and dry to the recommended moisture. See our resin drying guide.
- Compare melt flow, density and impact only at the same test condition and method (ASTM vs. ISO results differ).
- Ask for the producer's food-contact or regulatory letter for the exact grade if the part needs one.
- Run a trial lot and check shrinkage, cycle time and appearance before you switch production.
Buying Ultramid B3S: price, lead time and lot size
- Lot size. From one gaylord to a railcar. See gaylord, LTL and truckload for typical weights per box.
- Where it ships from. 22+ partner warehouse locations. Material already in a partner warehouse usually moves sooner than a grade that has to come from the producer; your quote says which applies.
- Price. We do not publish prices because they move with feedstock, freight and order size. What moves your price most: lot size, color, ship-to region, and whether you need Ultramid B3S itself or can accept a matched alternative. See how resin is priced and the monthly market update.
- Paperwork. Supplier COA on every prime lot (what a COA shows). Ask for the producer’s regulatory letter or UL file if your part needs them.
- Trying an alternative? Start with one gaylord as a trial lot, molded and checked before you commit a full release.
- If Ultramid B3S itself is not available. Some branded grades are sold only through the producer’s own channels or go on allocation. If we cannot source it, we tell you, then quote a matched alternative with a side-by-side comparison.
Send the grade code, your annual volume and ship-to location. A polymer chemist checks it before we quote; we have been in the resin business for 30+ years. For several grades at once, use the resin RFQ template.
Trade names belong to their owners. ResinBridge is not affiliated with these producers; grade names are used only to identify the material. Data reflects published sheets as of October 2026.
Sources
- BASF Ultramid B3S data sheet, Material Data Center copy (ALBIS, PDF)
- BASF Ultramid B3S processing data sheet (PDF)
- AdvanSix Aegis H8202NLB data sheet (PDF)
- Envalior Durethan B30S data sheet (ALBIS, PDF)
- Envalior Akulon K222-D data sheet (distributor copy, PDF)
Common questions
What is Ultramid B3S?
Ultramid B3S is BASF's easy-flowing, finely crystalline nylon 6 for very fast injection molding of thin-walled technical parts such as housings, fittings, grips and fixing clamps.
What is the melt flow of Ultramid B3S?
MVR 160 cm³/10 min, measured at 275°C / 527°F, 5 kg, ISO 1133, per BASF's published data. The viscosity number is 145 cm³/g (ISO 307).
What is equivalent to Ultramid B3S?
Grades from other producers to ask about include Aegis H8202NLB, Durethan B30S and Akulon K222-D. None is identical; compare data sheets and run a trial, and get approval if your part names Ultramid B3S.
Is Ultramid B3S food-contact compliant?
The data sheets we found make no food-contact statement. Ask for the producer's regulatory letter for the exact grade and color before using it in a food-contact part.
Can ResinBridge quote Ultramid B3S?
We quote Ultramid B3S when our supply partners can source it. If they cannot, we say so up front and quote a matched alternative, named on the quote with its data sheet, so you can decide whether to trial it. We quote Ultramid B3S where we can source it, or a matched alternative, and say clearly which one you would get. Orders start at one gaylord; U.S. and Canada only.
If your grade is not listed, tell us what you run. We source commodity, engineering and specialty resins.
Need Ultramid B3S or an equivalent?
A polymer chemist reviews every request, then matches your grade or finds a matched alternative and prices it.
What to send for an accurate quote
- The grade name, from any supplier, or a data sheet
- Color (natural, black or a custom match)
- Fill type and percentage, if any
- Melt flow, if you know it
- Quantity for this order and what you use in a year
- Ship-to city and state or province
Quote Ultramid B3S or a matched alternative
A polymer chemist checks the data sheet and tells you exactly what you would get before you order.
Request a QuoteNot sure which grade fits your part?
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