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Ultem®

Ultem® is Widely Used For:

  • Medical instrument components
  • Scientific equipment parts
  • Manifolds
  • Electrical connectors
  • Electrical insulation parts
  • Semiconductor equipment components
  • Chip test sockets

Performance Characteristics:

  • Extremely strong and stiff
  • High dielectric strength
  • Easy to machine and fabricate
  • Resistant to hydrolysis when exposed
    to hot water and steam
  • Can withstand repeated sterilization
    cycles in a steam autoclave
  • Easy to thermoform

Common Brands:

  • Ultem®
  • SUSTAPEI
  • TECAPEI™
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Ultem®

High strength plastic with outstanding electrical and high service temperature properties

Ultem® (polyetherimide) is a semi-transparent high strength plastic material that can operate in high service temperature environments. Ultem® is resistant to hot water and steam and can withstand repeated cycles in a steam autoclave. FDA compliant grades of Ultem® are available. For Ultem® chemical resistance view our chart.

Ultem® has outstanding electrical properties, with one of the highest dielectric strengths of any thermoplastic material. 

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STANDARD SIZES
SHEET Dimensions:
12 in x 12 in – 24 in x 48 in
Thickness:
0.060 in – 3 in
ROD Outside Diameter:
0.250 in – 6 in
OPTIONS AVAILABLE
COLOR Black, Brown, Amber, Natural
GRADES Unfilled, Glass-Filled

Length, width, thickness, and diameter tolerances vary by size, by manufacturer, brand, and grade. Custom sizes available along with FDA compliant, USP Class VI compliant, and medical grade options.

Ultem® Properties and Material Options

Utem® 1000– Unfilled or unreinforced 1000 series plastics are translucent amber in color and combine exceptional mechanical, thermal, and electrical properties.

 
Glass-Filled Utem® 2300– The addition of glass fiber reinforcement in the 2000 series, enhances tensile strength, stiffness, and overall dimensional stability.

Tech Tip– Ultem® is often used instead of polysulfone when superior strength, stiffness, or temperature resistance is required.
 

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Typical properties of ULTEM®
  UNITS ASTM TEST ULTEM®
Tensile strength psi D638 15,200
Flexural modulus psi D790 480,000
Izod impact (notched) ft-lbs/in of notch D256 1.0
Heat deflection temperature @ 264 psi °F D648 392
Maximum continuous service temperature in air °F   338
Water absorption (immersion 24 hours) % D570 0.25
Coefficient of linear thermal expansion in/in/°Fx10-5 D696 3.1

Values may vary according to brand name. Please ask your Curbell Plastics representative for more specific information about an individual brand. 

Need more information about this material? Use our interactive plastic properties table

ULTEM® PROPERTIES COMPARISON GRAPHS

ULTEM® Properties Comparison Charts - Tensile Strength, Flexural Modulus and Dielectric Strengh of Ultem vs Radel R and Polysulfone