PEI polymer is an amorphous thermoplastic with high mechanical strength and rigidity. It is commonly referred to as ultem plastic or ultem material.
The PEI plastic has similar physical properties to polyarylsulfones, while offering significant advantages. In addition to its exceptional creep resistance over a wide temperature range, PEI thermoplastic can withstand high operating temperatures. PEI material is also inherently flame retardant, exibiting low smoke emission characteristics. It is therefore a preferred material for aircraft interiors.
The polyetherimide properties are rounded out by very good hydrolysis resistance and dimensional stability.
PEI plastic material is extruded by Ensinger in plate and rod form using Sabic's Ultem® resin. The unfilled Ultem® plastic material offered by Ensinger is translucent and amber in colour with exceptional mechanical, thermal and electrical properties. In the filled grades, the addition of glass fibre reinforcement, combined with Ensinger's proprietary extrusion processes, provides users with a polyetherimide offering that has both higher tensile strength and stiffness, as well as improved dimensional stability.
Ensinger is a global supplier of Ultem® plastic and offers PEI shapes such as:
Ensinger's PEI plastic shapes are manufactured under the brand name TECAPEI and include the following modifications:
Ultem® is a registered trademark of Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic).
PEI plastics offers: