PEI (Ultem) — high-performance amorphous polymer, 170 C HDT, inherent flame retardance, FDA/medical grade. For aerospace interiors, medical instruments and electrical components.
PEI (Polyetherimide) per ISO 15103 is an amorphous high-performance thermoplastic developed by GE (now SABIC) under the trade name Ultem. Outstanding combination of: high continuous service temperature (170 C), inherent UL94 V-0 flame retardance with low smoke/toxicity, FDA biocompatibility and excellent mechanical and electrical properties. Cost is 5-10x PA6 — significantly less than PEEK while offering 80% of PEEK performance.
| Standard Body | Designation | Country / Region | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| ISO | PEI (ISO 15103-1/2) | International | |
| EN | EN ISO 15103 | European Union | |
| ASTM | D5205 (PEI) | USA | |
| Trade Names | Ultem 1010 (SABIC) / Ultem 2300 (GF30) / TECAPEI (Ensinger) | Global | Ultem is the dominant PEI brand |
| UL | 94 V-0 (inherent — all grades without FR additives) | USA | FAR 25.853 (aerospace interior compliant) |
| JIS | PEI (JIS K 7209) | Japan | |
| GOST | PEI (adopted) | Russia / CIS | |
| FDA | FDA 21 CFR 177.1668 (food contact) / ISO 10993 (biocompatible grades) | USA | |
| JUS | PL-PEI | Yugoslavia / Serbia | Polyetherimide high-performance polymer |
| FAA / EASA | FAR 25.853 compliant — standard for commercial aircraft interior components | International (Aviation) | |
| Key Grades | Ultem 1010 (unfilled) / Ultem 2300 (GF30) / Ultem 1000 (standard) | Global | |
| RoHS | Compliant | EU | |
| Supply Forms | Rod, sheet, tube (stock shapes) + injection moulding compound + FDM filament | Global |
| # | Standard Body | Designation | Country / Region | Note |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ISO | PEI (ISO 15103-1/2) | International | — |
| 2 | EN | EN ISO 15103 | European Union | — |
| 3 | ASTM | D5205 (PEI) | USA | — |
| 4 | Trade Names | Ultem 1010 (SABIC) / Ultem 2300 (GF30) / TECAPEI (Ensinger) | Global | Ultem is the dominant PEI brand |
| 5 | UL | 94 V-0 (inherent — all grades without FR additives) | USA | FAR 25.853 (aerospace interior compliant) |
| 6 | JIS | PEI (JIS K 7209) | Japan | — |
| 7 | GOST | PEI (adopted) | Russia / CIS | — |
| 8 | FDA | FDA 21 CFR 177.1668 (food contact) / ISO 10993 (biocompatible grades) | USA | — |
| 9 | JUS | PL-PEI | Yugoslavia / Serbia | Polyetherimide high-performance polymer |
| 10 | FAA / EASA | FAR 25.853 compliant — standard for commercial aircraft interior components | International (Aviation) | — |
| 11 | Key Grades | Ultem 1010 (unfilled) / Ultem 2300 (GF30) / Ultem 1000 (standard) | Global | — |
| 12 | RoHS | Compliant | EU | — |
| 13 | Supply Forms | Rod, sheet, tube (stock shapes) + injection moulding compound + FDM filament | Global | — |
| Element | Symbol | Min % | Max % | Typical % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Carbon (polyetherimide aromatic backbone) | C | — | — | 72.0000 |
| Hydrogen | H | — | — | 4.3000 |
| Nitrogen (imide groups) | N | — | — | 4.3000 |
| Oxygen (ether + imide) | O | — | — | 19.4000 |
| Water absorption (equilibrium 50% RH) | H2O | — | 1.0000 | — |
| Condition | Code | Rm min MPa | Rm max MPa |
Re min MPa | Re max MPa |
A₅ min % |
Z % |
KV J |
HB min | HB max | HRC min | HRC max | E GPa |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unfilled PEI (Ultem 1010) | STD | 105 | 115 | 105 | — | 30.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 3.1 |
| PEI GF30 (Ultem 2300) | GF30 | 165 | 195 | 145 | 170 | 3.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 10.5 |
| PEI GF10 (Ultem 2100) | GF10 | 120 | 145 | 115 | — | 10.0 | — | — | — | — | — | — | 4.8 |
| Coolant | Dry cutting or light MQL; NO flood water coolant |
| Chip Formation | Short-medium chips; good chip control — better than PA |
| Tool Material | Carbide K10 (uncoated); PCD for GF grades; HSS acceptable for unfilled |
| Surface Finish | Ra 0.2-1.6 um |