PEI / ULTEM™ Compression Molding

PEI (polyetherimide) is an amorphous thermoplastic polymer characterized by high strength, flame and heat resistance and good dielectric properties over a broad range of frequencies.

Thermech produces compression molded PEI sheets, plates, rods, tubes, rings, discs and near-net shapes.

PEI / ULTEM™ Properties

1. •Continuous use temperature of 338 °F (170 °C)
   

2. •Good short-term heat resistance due to a glass transition temperature (Tg) of 217 °F (217 °C)
   

3. •Excellent dimensional stability
   

4. •Low creep sensitivity
   

5. •Low and uniform coefficient of thermal expansion
   

6. •Highly reproducible part-to-part dimensions
   

7. •Excellent mechanical performance allows thin-wall designs
   

8. •Practical level of impact resistance from subzero to 428 °F (220 °C)
   

9. •High dielectric strength
   

10. •Stable dielectric constant over a wide range of temperatures and frequencies
    

11. •Resistant to gamma and UV radiation
    

12. •Transparent to visible light, infrared light and microwave radiation
    

13. •Low water absorption
    

14. •Excellent moisture and steam resistance, long-term hydrolytic stability
    

15. •Inherently flame-retardant, UL 94 V-0 rated with low smoke evolution and toxicity
    

16. •Broad resistance to chemicals such as automotive fluids, fully halogenated hydrocarbons, alcohols, aqueous solutions, most lipids and disinfectants
    

17. •Natural PEI has a transparent amber color
    

18. •Can withstand exposure to detergents in industrial washing machines
    

19. •Can withstand multiple cleaning cycles using sterilization methods including steam autoclaving, chemiclaving, EtO, gamma radiation and dry heat
    

20. •Excellent stain resistance
    

21. •Compatible with vacuum metallization and selected galvanic plating processes
    

22. •US FDA and EU food contact compliant
    

23. •NSF/ANSI 51 listed (food equipment materials, polyetherimide resin for food zone)
    

24. •Several grades are intended for medical compliance to USP Class VI and ISO 10993
    

25. •Most grades are able to comply with WEEE/RoHS and various ECO labels
    

PEI / ULTEM™ Applications

PEI combines excellent strength and rigidity at high temperatures with long-term heat resistance.

In many applications PEI can replace metals, thermosets and ceramics.

PEI finds many uses in:

1. •Aerospace
   

2. •Food service
   

3. •Healthcare
   

4. •Automotive
   

5. •Lighting
   

6. •Electrical
   

7. •HVAC and fluid handling
   

PEI is well suited for medical applications that require repeated sterilization.  It will retain 100% of its tensile strength after 2,000 autoclave cycles at 270 °C.  It will also retain 85% of its tensile strength after immersion in boiling water for 10,000 hours.

Compression-molded PEI / ULTEM™ Parts

1. •Manifolds
   

2. •Pump and valve components
   

PEI Compression Molding Resins

ULTEM™ PEI from SABIC Innovative Plastics

Some of the more common compression-molding grades of ULTEM™ PEI are:

1. •ULTEM™ 1000 PEI
   

2. •ULTEM™ 2100 PEI
   

3. •ULTEM™ 2200 PEI
   

4. •ULTEM™ 2300 PEI
   

5. •ULTEM™ 2400 PEI
   

PEI is also available in a large number of other grades that are customized for various properties or uses:

1. •General purpose
   

2. •Unreinforced
   

3. •Wear resistant
   

4. •Glass reinforced
   

5. •Glass and PTFE reinforced
   

6. •Mineral filled
   

7. •Transparent
   

8. •High pigment
   

9. •Low warpage
   

10. •Low temperature impact
    

11. •Improved ductility
    

12. •Chemical resistant
    

13. •High heat
    

14. •Healthcare
    

15. •Aircraft
    

ULTEM™ specialty compounds from SABIC Innovative Plastics’ LNP™

1. •LNP™ Thermocomp™ PEI
   

2. •LNP™ Stat-kon™ PEI
   

3. •LNP™ Lubricomp™ PEI