skip to content

google-site-verification: google7c38940005c5602d.html

skip to content
CALL (866) 832-9315
Request a Quote

Ultem® 1000 & 2300 Sheets & Rods: High-Performance Polyetherimide (PEI)

Apr 5, 2013 | High Performance Plastics, Made In The USA, Material Comparison, Mentor Nuggets | 0 comments

Quick Answer

Ultem, or Polyetherimide (PEI), is an amorphous thermoplastic engineering resin known for its exceptional tensile and flexural strengths, excellent electrical properties, and inherent flame resistance, certified to UL 94 5VA at .075″. Ultem 1000 is an unfilled, natural PEI with a transparent amber color, while Ultem 2300 is a 30% glass-filled PEI resin that appears creamy tan. This material excels in demanding applications like the medical and pharmaceutical industries, handling heat, chemicals, and stress better than most plastics. Ultem resins are certified for FDA compliance, USDA, 3A, and USP Class VI for medical use, and can be used continuously at temperatures of 340 degrees.

Premium Sabic Ultem 1000 sheet and Ultem 2300 rod

Ultem® Sheets Rods – Polyetherimide, PEI

Polyetherimide or PEI is the generic name for one of the popular engineering resins. The most common resin supplier for this material is Sabic Plastics (formerly known at G.E. Plastics). This High quality, high temp Ultem 1000 amorphous thermoplasticamorphous thermoplastic material comes in two common resin varieties used in the production of plastic shapes, the first is Ultem® 1000 which is an unfilled – natural material, the standard color for unfilled PEI (Ultem Sheet) is a transparent amber. The second is Ultem® 2300, which is a 30% glass filled PEI resin, this resin is a creamy tan color. Several other resins are available, including different percentages of glass fill, black pigment or color, and a few high end specialty grades. Some members our our industry refer to Ultem® as the ‘ultimate’ in plastic materials. With some of the best available properties, this material out performs most plastics in critical applications. This material is certified to: FDA compliance, USDA, 3A and also USP Class VI for medical use. Polyetherimides have exceptional tensile and flexural strengths and excellent electrical properties. Ultem® resins have inherent flame resistance and are UL 94 5VA at .075″. Ultem Sheet and rod machines very well, and can be used at temperatures of 340 degrees continuous.

Polyetherimide – PEI is the Ultimate Resin

The Polyetherimide family of plastic resins really excel in the medical and pharmaceutical industries. These industries have incredible demands on plastic materials, and most plastics fail quickly. Ultem resins handle the heat, chemical, stress better than almost any other material. For complete Sabic Ultem 1000 sheet and slabtechnical data sheets and more information chick for data sheet page. Several of our major manufacturers produce Ultem® PEI resins into stock sheets and rods. Some trade names from these suppliers are: Tempalux®, Sustatec®, Unitem®and many more. Ultem sheet and rod has some of the best properties of all the available plastic materials. Some materials that have some similar properties: Acetal, Radel, PEEK, PTFE. Check the data sheets on each of these materials to help in deciding which material is appropriate for your application.

Rod is normally available in rod from .375″ – 4.0″ diameters, and sheets from .125″ – over 2.0″ thickness, and we stock many items for immediate shipment. Additional sizes are available on request, including larger diameters, thicknesses, molded tube, extruded shapes, strips and bars.
Contact us for more details on this exceptional material. Email us or call us at 866-832-9315

author avatar
sitemanager
See Full Bio

Frequently Asked Questions

1 What are the primary differences between Ultem 1000 and Ultem 2300 sheets and rods?

Ultem 1000 is an unfilled, natural polyetherimide (PEI) that appears as a transparent amber material. In contrast, Ultem 2300 is a 30% glass-filled PEI resin, which is characterized by its creamy tan color. Both varieties are commonly used in the production of plastic sheets and rods.

2 What are the key performance characteristics and certifications of Ultem (PEI) for critical applications?

Ultem (PEI) offers exceptional tensile and flexural strengths, excellent electrical properties, and inherent flame resistance, rated UL 94 5VA at .075". It is certified to FDA compliance, USDA, 3A, and USP Class VI for medical use. These properties make it highly suitable for demanding medical and pharmaceutical industries.

3 In what forms is Ultem (PEI) available, and what are its machining capabilities?

Ultem (PEI) is readily available in stock sheets and rods from major manufacturers. This material machines very well, allowing for precision fabrication. It can also withstand continuous use at temperatures up to 340 degrees Fahrenheit.

4 How does Ultem (PEI) compare to other high-performance plastics for specific applications?

Ultem (PEI) is considered a top-performing plastic, excelling in critical applications where most other plastics fail quickly. It handles heat, chemicals, and stress better than almost any other material, particularly in medical and pharmaceutical environments. While materials like Acetal, Radel, PEEK, and PTFE share some similar properties, Ultem often outperforms them in these demanding conditions.