Ultem 1000 is a high-performance polyetherimide (PEI) thermoplastic resin developed by SABIC (formerly GE Plastics) in the United States, and is one of the basic grades in the Ultem series. PEI is a semi-crystalline aromatic polymer material, renowned for its excellent comprehensive properties and widely used in high-end industrial fields. It is now commonly used to refer to PEI materials.
Material Nature and Classification of Ultem PEI Sheet
The basic component of Ultem 1000 is polyetherimide (PEI), which is an amorphous or microcrystalline high-performance engineering plastic. It is synthesized through the condensation reaction of dianhydride and diamine monomers. Its molecular chain contains rigid aromatic rings and flexible ether bonds, giving it a unique balance of properties (high temperature resistance, high strength, chemical resistance, etc.).
PEI Ultem 1000 is the "general purpose" grade in this series, usually an unreinforced version (without glass fiber or mineral filler), suitable for basic applications requiring high mechanical properties and processability.
Key Characteristics
Ultem 1000 boasts top-tier performance among engineering plastics, with the following key characteristics:
1. High Temperature Resistance
Glass transition temperature (Tg): Approximately 217℃ (close to the melting point of some semi-crystalline plastics).
Long-term service temperature: Up to 170℃ (maintains stable performance even under continuous exposure).
Short-term temperature resistance: Can withstand temperatures above 200℃ (e.g., brief high-temperature processing or extreme environments).
2. Mechanical Properties
High strength and high modulus: Tensile strength approximately 90-100 MPa, flexural modulus approximately 3.6 GPa (close to the low to medium level of PEEK, but with superior temperature resistance).
Fatigue resistance and impact resistance: Notched impact strength approximately 50 J/m (unfilled grades have better toughness).
3. Chemical Resistance
It exhibits good resistance to most organic solvents (such as alcohols, hydrocarbons, and oils) and dilute acids/alkalis, but is susceptible to strong protic acids (such as concentrated sulfuric acid) and highly polar solvents (such as dichloromethane).
It is resistant to steam and autoclaving (able to withstand repeated high-temperature and high-pressure sterilization, suitable for medical settings).
4. Flame Retardancy
Achieves UL94 V-0 rating without the addition of flame retardants, with low smoke emission, meeting stringent safety standards.
5. Electrical Properties
Low dielectric constant (approx. 3.1-3.2, 1MHz) and dielectric loss (approx. 0.002-0.004, 1MHz), remaining stable at high frequencies, suitable for electronic and electrical insulation applications.
6. Processability
Can be molded using injection molding, extrusion, and compression molding processes. Has good melt flowability (unfilled grade), but requires high-temperature processing (barrel temperature approx. 340-400℃).
Main Application Areas
Ultem 1000 PEI Plastic Sheet, with its comprehensive performance, is widely used in applications requiring high temperature resistance, high strength, chemical resistance, or high electrical performance:
1. Aerospace
Structural components: such as aircraft interior brackets, connectors, sensor housings (requiring resistance to high-altitude low temperatures and engine compartment high temperatures).
Functional components: cable insulation layers, radome assemblies (utilizing their electrical insulation and weather resistance).
2. Automotive Industry
High-temperature sensor housings (such as pressure/temperature sensors in engine compartments).
Connectors, relay bases (oil/coolant resistant).
New energy vehicle battery pack insulation components (electrolyte and high-temperature resistant).
3. Healthcare
Reusable autoclaved surgical instrument trays, dental tools (resistant to steam/chemical sterilization).
Medical device housings (such as laser therapy devices, in vitro diagnostic equipment, requiring sterilization resistance and biocompatibility).
4. Electronics & Electrical
High-frequency circuit board substrates (e.g., low-loss insulation components in communication equipment).
LED lamp holders and connectors (high temperature resistance and electrical insulation).
High-temperature resistant components in semiconductor manufacturing equipment (e.g., wafer jigs).
5. Industrial Equipment
Seals and valve assemblies for chemical pumps (acid and alkali corrosion resistant).
High-temperature components in food processing equipment (conveyor belt rollers, compliant with FDA food contact standards).
Ultem 1000 and Ultem 2300 Sheet
Summary
Ultem 1000 is a high-performance PEI resin. Its core advantages lie in the balance of high temperature resistance, high strength, chemical resistance, and electrical properties, making it suitable for high-end fields such as aerospace, automotive, medical, and electronics. For higher strength, glass fiber reinforced Ultem 2300 and other grades can be selected; for transparency, modified versions such as Ultem 9085 can be considered. Its key application scenario is "replacing metals or other engineering plastics to meet high-temperature/harsh environment requirements."