PEI (Polyetherimide) Ultem® is commonly used in applications where tight tolerances and low warp are essential due to its resilience against heat exposure. Learn more about PEI (Polyetherimide) Ultem® properties and applications below.
PEI (Polyetherimide) Ultem® is a semi-transparent, high-strength polymer with excellent heat tolerance, maintaining its strength and rigidity in continuous operating temperatures up to 340° F. As a member of the PEI (polyetherimide) family of thermoplastic resins, Ultem® supplies mechanical stability yet is easy to process. This lends flexibility and freedom in design for a wide range of part geometries and applications.
These properties, such as its resilience against heat exposure, also make Ultem® a good choice for applications that require tight tolerances and minimal warping. Common industries that take advantage of Ultem® include aerospace or aircraft components, and medical and pharmaceutical applications.
Ultem® is available in different grades that provide enhanced benefits for chemical and heat resistance or elasticity. It also offers high tensile strength, stiffness, good strength-to-weight ratio, and dimensional stability. Ultem® exhibits natural flame resistance and is known for a low smoke generation under heat exposure.
Ultem® properties of high heat resistance (performing continuously to 340° F), and durability help replace metal parts for weight reduction in industries seeking lighter loads. It resists stress cracking under exposure to acids, alcohols, fats and oils, and other fluids. This polymer also is resistant to gamma radiation and ultraviolet rays. It resists creep, or the tendency of materials to deform and degrade under repeated mechanical stress.
High-performance thermoplastic materials such as Ultem®, which can serve as a lightweight alternative to metal, are in increasing demand in industrial manufacturing applications, and in the automotive, medical, and semiconductor industries.
Its hydrolysis resistance and ability to tolerate repeated sterilizations for reusable devices make it a viable polymer for medical devices and components. Within the semiconductor industry, its arc resistance makes Ultem® a polymer of choice to fabricate components. This feature, alongside its malleability, also makes it well suited for applications that require deposition, removal, patterning, and modification of electrical properties.
Ultem®’s list of properties includes:
As a high-performance thermoplastic with excellent strength, rigidity, and anti-warp characteristics, Ultem® can substitute for metal parts in applications subject to continuous high heat. These are important characteristics in multiple industries such as aerospace and the medical device industry. Its balanced properties make Ultem® an ideal choice across many industry segments.
Aerospace/Defense: Personal storage units, oxygen panels, ventilation systems, connectors, cable ducts, latches, hinges, food tray containers, door handles, interior cladding parts
Appliances: Food preparation and sterilization equipment
Automotive: Electro-hydraulic control valves, variable valve timing, variable displacement oil pump control and cylinder de-activation control, and drive train and braking systems
Chemical: Fillers for high efficiency production
Electrical: Electrical connectors
Industrial: Manifolds, machined bushings
Medical: Ultem® offers properties highly compatible for parts on medical devices, including its durability, heat resistance, weight reduction, reduced sterilization burden and improved MRI compatibility. Excellent for reusable devices with a range of sterilization methods.
Oil & Gas: Compressors and pumps
Semiconductor components: Circuit breaker housings, probes, wafers
Performance Plastics has honed its expertise in injection molding over decades, specializing in high performance plastics. As an amorphous material, Ultem® can cause complications during the injection molding process. This requires a specific set of conditions, equipment and specialized processing procedures for effective management and successful project completion. Our proprietary tool design software, processes and equipment enable us to injection mold components having complex geometries made from challenging, ultra, high performance thermoplastic materials, and reinforced compounds.
Ultem® is one of the many high-performance polymers that form a core specialty for Performance Plastics. Contact us today with your project specifications for injection molded parts.
