{"id":3951,"date":"2024-09-02T15:02:23","date_gmt":"2024-09-02T15:02:23","guid":{"rendered":""},"modified":"2024-11-01T16:17:32","modified_gmt":"2024-11-01T16:17:32","slug":"what-is-ultem","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.unionfab.com\/ar\/what-is-ultem\/","title":{"rendered":"Ultem, or Polyetherimide (PEI) Explained"},"content":{"rendered":"

Clarify what is Ultem, its relation to PEI plastic, its types, properties, and uses. Also, the article will compare Ultem vs. PEEK.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Introduction<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

ULTEM, a high-performance thermoplastic known scientifically as polyetherimide (PEI), stands out for its exceptional mechanical strength, heat resistance, and chemical stability.<\/p>\n

\"Ultem
Ultem Edc Gears <\/em>
Source: uncrate.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Developed originally for demanding industrial applications, ULTEM has gained widespread use across industries. Its versatility extends to various forms, including 3D printing filaments, making it a go-to material for both engineers and designers.<\/p>\n

The article will clarify what is Ultem, its relation to PEI plastic, its types, properties, and uses. Also, the comparison between Ultem and PEEK will be covered.<\/p>\n<\/p>\n

Is Ultem the Same as Polyetherimide (PEI) ?<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

No, Ultem is not exactly the same as Polyetherimide (PEI).<\/p>\n

Generally speaking, Ultem” is widely used to describe this material in industries like aerospace, automotive, and electronics, especially when referring to specialized applications like 3D printing and high-temperature environments. However, they are not the same.<\/p>\n

Polyetherimide (PEI) is the generic name of Ultem. It is an amorphous, amber-to-transparent thermoplastic with characteristics similar to the related plastic PEEK.<\/p>\n

\"Chemical
Chemical Structure of Polyetherimide (PEI) <\/em>
Source: wikipedia.org<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

\u201cUltem\u201d is a brand name for a specific type of PEI developed by General Electric Plastics Division (now SABIC) . It refers to high-performance thermoplastic resins known for their excellent mechanical strength, heat resistance, and chemical stability.<\/p>\n

Many companies use the original Ultem resin from SABIC and optimize it for specific manufacturing methods. For example, Stratasys adapted it to Ultem\u2122<\/span> 9085 <\/a>for FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) 3D printing. Ultem\u2122<\/span> 9085 offers enhanced flame retardancy, a high strength-to-weight ratio, and meets aerospace and automotive standards for low smoke and toxicity.<\/p>\n

Therefore, in one word, all Ultem is PEI, but not all PEI is ULTEM. And Ultem, as the most popular and well-known brand of PEI, can be generally used to describe Polyetherimide (PEI) due to its market dominance and widespread recognition.<\/p>\n

\"Ultem
Ultem & Polyetherimide (PEI)<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/p>\n

Grades and Properties of Ultem<\/h2>\n<\/p>\n

After understanding what ULTEM is, let\u2019s first take a look at a concise table summarizing its key properties. The table highlights Ultem\u2019s core characteristics in areas such as thermal stability, mechanical strength, and chemical resistance, helping to explain why it is widely used in demanding industrial applications.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Property<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

Description<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Color<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Black; Natural amber; Brown<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Thermal Stability<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

High glass transition temperature (~217\u00b0C).<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Mechanical Strength<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Strong tensile strength and stiffness.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Flame Retardancy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Excellent flame resistance with low smoke and toxicity.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Chemical Resistance<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Resists many harsh chemicals and hydrolysis.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Electrical Insulation<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Great dielectric strength and stability across frequencies.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Dimensional Stability<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Maintains shape and size under stress and temperature changes.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Applications<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Used in aerospace, automotive, medical devices, and 3D printing.<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

The Ultem family of resins includes a variety of grades designed for different applications. Here, we will present the properties of the most well-known and commonly-used 4 types: Ultem\u2122<\/span> 1000, Ultem\u2122<\/span> 9085, Ultem\u2122<\/span> 1010, Ultem\u2122<\/span> 2200.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n<\/colgroup>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

Property<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

ULTEM\u2122<\/span> 1000<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

ULTEM\u2122<\/span> 9085<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

ULTEM\u2122<\/span> 1010<\/p>\n<\/th>\n

\n

ULTEM\u2122<\/span> 2200<\/p>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Glass Transition Temperature (\u00b0C)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

217\u00b0C<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

186\u00b0C<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

216\u00b0C<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

217\u00b0C<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

*Tensile Strength (MPa)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

110 MPa<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

90 MPa<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

100 MPa<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

170 MPa<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

* Flexural Modulus (GPa)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.3 GPa<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

2.15 GPa<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

3.2 GPa<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

5.5 GPa<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Flame Retardancy<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Standard<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Aerospace-grade<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Food\/medical grade<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Glass-filled<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Advantage<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Good all-around performance<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Excellent (low) flame, smoke, and toxicity (FST) properties<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Sterilizable and biocompatible<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

High stiffness and dimensional stability<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Chemical Resistance<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Good resistance to most chemicals<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Resistant to hydrolysis and harsh chemicals<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Resistant to sterilization chemicals<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Improved chemical resistance due to glass fiber<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Electrical Insulation<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Excellent dielectric strength<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Good insulation over a wide frequency range<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Stable electrical properties<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

High dielectric strength<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Dimensional Stability<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Stable even under thermal stress<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Good dimensional stability in challenging environments<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Retains stability in varying temperatures<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Enhanced stability with low thermal expansion<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Applications<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

General-purpose, electrical components<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Aerospace, transportation<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

Food processing, medical devices, industrial applications<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

\n

High-strength components, automotive<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Properties of Ultem\u2122<\/span> 1000, Ultem\u2122<\/span> 9085, Ultem\u2122<\/span> 1010, Ultem\u2122<\/span> 2200<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n

*Note: The two values can vary depending on testing conditions, material orientation, and processing methods.<\/p>\n

\"\"
<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Ultem VS. PEEK<\/a><\/h2>\n<\/p>\n
    \n
  1. \n

    Thermal Stability<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n