Material Name:

ULTEM™ (Polyetherimide) Flame Retardant

Description:

ULTEM™ (PEI) is a high-performance thermoplastic offering outstanding mechanical properties, inherent flame retardancy, and exceptional thermal stability. With a UL94 V-0 flammability rating, it meets stringent safety standards without the need for additives. ULTEM™ maintains its strength and rigidity at elevated temperatures up to 170°C, making it suitable for aerospace, automotive, medical, and electronics industries. It also provides excellent chemical resistance and dielectric properties. While more challenging to print due to high processing temperatures and equipment requirements, ULTEM™ enables the production of functional prototypes and end-use parts capable of withstanding extreme environments.

Material Type:

High-Performance Thermoplastic (Polyetherimide)

Price:

Available color:

Amber

Black

Process compatibility:

FDM compatible

Composite compatible

Special Properties:

Flame Retardant (UL94 V-0)
High Thermal Stability
Excellent Mechanical Strength
Chemical Resistance

Limitations:

Difficult to Print
Requires High-Temperature Equipment
Expensive Material
Limited Color Options

Key Flame Retardent PLA properties rated to guide you in selecting the best fit for your 3D printing needs.

Strength5 of 5

Flexibility2 of 5

Detail Resolution3 of 5

Surface Smoothness3 of 5

Heat Resistance5 of 5

Chemical Resistance5 of 5

Ease of Printing1 of 5

Cost Efficiency1 of 5

ULTEM™ (PEI) is ideal for producing high-performance parts requiring flame retardancy, high heat resistance, and exceptional mechanical properties. Suitable for applications in demanding environments where standard thermoplastics would fail.

Aerospace Applications

Aircraft interior components

Electrical enclosures
Ducting systems

Automotive Applications

Under-the-hood components

Sensor housings
High-temperature fixtures

Medical Devices

Surgical instrument components

Sterilization trays
Diagnostic equipment parts

Electronics Applications

Circuit board carriers

Connectors and insulators
Enclosures

Additional Applications

Functional Prototypes

Flame-Retardant Parts
High-Temperature Tooling

Chemical-Resistant Components

Exhibits high tensile strength and rigidity with excellent dimensional stability, suitable for parts under mechanical stress at elevated temperatures.

Property	Value, metric
Tensile Strength	Approximately 95 MPa
Tensile Modulus	Approximately 3,200 MPa
Elongation at Break (%)	5%
Flexural Strength	Approximately 155 MPa
Flexural Modulus	Approximately 3,100 MPa
Notched Izod Impact Strength	Approximately 85 J/m
Shore Hardness	Shore D 90

Characteristics

Printing with ULTEM™ (PEI) requires specialized high-temperature 3D printers capable of extruder temperatures above 350°C and heated build chambers. Precise control over printing parameters is essential to achieve optimal layer adhesion and minimize warping.

Type	Value
Lead Time	3-10 business days
Wall Thickness	Minimum 1.5 mm
Tolerance	±0.20%, minimum ±0.2 mm
Max Part Size	Up to 450 x 450 x 450 mm
Layer Height	0.1 mm to 0.25 mm

Thermal Properties

Exceptional heat resistance, maintaining mechanical properties at elevated temperatures.

Property	Value, metric
Heat Deflection Temperature (HDT)	Approximately 170°C at 0.455 MPa
Thermal Expansion Coefficient	Approximately 50 x 10^-6 /°C
Thermal Expansion (Scale 0-100)	50
Max Service Temperature	Up to 170°C before significant deformation may occur

Electrical Properties

Excellent dielectric properties, suitable for electrical and electronic applications.

Property	Value, metric
ESD Safety	Not inherently ESD safe; specialized grades may be available.
Conductivity	Non-conductive; excellent insulating properties

NOTE: The provided values are approximate and can vary based on the specific Flame Retardent formulation and manufacturer. Always refer to the manufacturer's technical data sheet for precise information.

Find your queries

Frequently Asked Question(FAQ)

What is ULTEM™ (Polyetherimide), and what are its main characteristics?: ULTEM™ PEI is a high-performance thermoplastic known for its flame retardancy, high thermal stability, and excellent mechanical properties.

What applications are suitable for ULTEM™ (PEI)?: It's used in aerospace, automotive, medical, and electronics industries for parts requiring high heat resistance and flame retardancy.

How does ULTEM™ (PEI) compare to materials like ABS and Nylon?: ULTEM™ offers superior thermal and mechanical properties but is more challenging to print and significantly more expensive.

Is ULTEM™ (PEI) inherently flame retardant?: Yes, it has a UL94 V-0 flammability rating without the need for additional flame-retardant additives.

Is ULTEM™ (PEI) suitable for food-contact applications?: Certain grades of ULTEM™ are FDA-approved for food contact, but it's essential to verify with the manufacturer.

What are the ideal print settings for ULTEM™ (PEI)?: Print temperatures above 350°C, bed temperature of 140-160°C, and a heated chamber are necessary.

Do I need a special printer to print ULTEM™ (PEI)?: Yes, specialized industrial 3D printers capable of high temperatures and heated build chambers are required.

How can I improve bed adhesion when printing with ULTEM™ (PEI)?: Using high-temperature adhesives, specialized build plates, or surface treatments designed for ULTEM™ helps with adhesion.

Does ULTEM™ (PEI) require an inert gas environment?: Some industrial printers use inert gases like nitrogen to prevent oxidation at high temperatures.

Is ventilation necessary when printing with ULTEM™ (PEI)?: Yes, proper ventilation is important due to potential fumes at high printing temperatures.

Can ULTEM™ (PEI) prints be machined or drilled?: Yes, parts can be machined, drilled, and tapped with appropriate tools due to the material's high strength.

Is it possible to bond ULTEM™ (PEI) parts together?: Specialized adhesives designed for high-temperature plastics or mechanical fastening methods are recommended.

Can ULTEM™ (PEI) be smoothed or polished?: Mechanical sanding and polishing are possible. Chemical smoothing is not commonly used due to the material's resistance to solvents.

How do I remove support material from ULTEM™ (PEI) prints?: Supports can be removed manually or with the aid of tools. Soluble support materials compatible with ULTEM™ may be used.

Can ULTEM™ (PEI) parts be sterilized?: Yes, ULTEM™ parts can withstand steam autoclaving and other sterilization methods, making them suitable for medical applications.

Why is my ULTEM™ (PEI) print warping or failing to adhere?: Due to high thermal contraction, warping is common. Use a heated chamber, ensure proper bed adhesion, and maintain consistent temperatures.

How can I prevent nozzle clogging when printing with ULTEM™ (PEI)?: Use a larger nozzle size (0.4 mm or larger), ensure the filament is dry, and maintain correct extrusion temperatures.

What causes layer separation in ULTEM™ (PEI) prints?: Inadequate temperature control or cooling too quickly can lead to poor layer adhesion. Maintain optimal chamber temperatures.

Why are my ULTEM™ (PEI) prints brittle or weak?: Printing at incorrect temperatures or using degraded filament can affect mechanical properties. Use fresh filament and proper settings.

How do I fix surface defects in ULTEM™ (PEI) prints?: Adjust print speeds, temperatures, and ensure equipment is calibrated to improve surface quality.

Can ULTEM™ (PEI) be used in dual-extrusion printers?: Yes, but equipment must support high temperatures, and materials must be compatible. Soluble supports like high-temperature breakaway materials are used.

How does moisture affect ULTEM™ (PEI) filament?: It is hygroscopic, and moisture can cause print defects. Filament should be thoroughly dried before use.

Are there different grades of ULTEM™ (PEI) available?: Yes, various grades offer different properties, such as higher impact resistance or transparency.

Is ULTEM™ (PEI) suitable for electrical applications?: Yes, it has excellent dielectric properties and is used in electrical and electronic components.

Can ULTEM™ (PEI) be recycled or reused?: Recycling options are limited due to its specialized nature. Proper disposal and recycling where possible are important.

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Material Name:

ULTEM™ (Polyetherimide) Flame Retardant

Description:

Material Type:

High-Performance Thermoplastic (Polyetherimide)

Price:

Available color:

Process compatibility:

Special Properties:

Limitations:

Applications

Aerospace Applications

Automotive Applications

Medical Devices

Electronics Applications

Additional Applications

Characteristics

Thermal Properties

Electrical Properties