Overview
PEI 1000 (Ultem™ 1000) is the standard unfilled grade of Polyetherimide (PEI), offering an exceptional combination of high-temperature resistance, mechanical strength, flame retardancy, dimensional stability, electrical insulation, and hydrolysis resistance.
As the base grade within the Ultem family, PEI 1000 provides superior toughness and electrical properties compared to glass-filled variants while maintaining excellent thermal performance. It is widely used in aerospace, medical, electronics, semiconductor, and industrial applications where high performance and reliability are required.
PEI 1000 is widely used in:
- Aerospace Components
- Medical Devices
- Electrical Connectors
- Semiconductor Equipment
- Laboratory Instruments
- Food Processing Equipment
- Insulation Components
- Precision Machined Parts
Due to its outstanding balance of thermal, mechanical, and electrical performance, PEI 1000 is one of the most versatile high-performance engineering plastics available.
Material Specification
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Material Designation | PEI 1000 |
| Trade Name | Ultem™ 1000 |
| Full Name | Unfilled Polyetherimide |
| Material Family | High-Performance Thermoplastic |
| Density | 1.27 g/cm³ |
| Appearance | Transparent Amber |
| Transparency | Semi-Transparent |
| Fillers | None |
| Typical Manufacturing Methods | Injection Molding, CNC Machining, Extrusion, 3D Printing |
| Standard Forms | Sheet, Rod, Pellets, Filament |
Chemical Composition
PEI 1000 consists of pure polyetherimide resin without reinforcement fillers.
| Component | Function |
|---|---|
| Polyetherimide Polymer | Structural Matrix |
| Thermal Stabilizers | Heat Resistance |
| Processing Additives | Manufacturing Stability |
The unfilled formulation provides maximum toughness and electrical insulation performance.
Mechanical Properties
Typical Values
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 105–115 MPa |
| Yield Strength | 105–115 MPa |
| Elongation at Break | 50–70% |
| Flexural Strength | 150–175 MPa |
| Flexural Modulus | 3.0–3.3 GPa |
| Hardness | Rockwell M109–114 |
| Compressive Strength | 120–145 MPa |
Typical Mechanical Performance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Strength | Outstanding |
| Toughness | Excellent |
| Fatigue Resistance | Excellent |
| Creep Resistance | Excellent |
PEI 1000 offers significantly better toughness than glass-filled PEI grades.
Physical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Density | 1.27 g/cm³ |
| Water Absorption | 0.25–0.70% |
| Thermal Conductivity | 0.22 W/m·K |
| Specific Heat Capacity | 1200 J/kg·K |
| Refractive Index | 1.67 |
PEI 1000 provides excellent dimensional stability across a wide operating temperature range.
Thermal Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Glass Transition Temperature | 217°C |
| Heat Deflection Temperature (1.82 MPa) | 200°C |
| Continuous Service Temperature | Up to 170°C |
| Short-Term Service Temperature | Up to 200°C |
PEI 1000 is one of the highest-temperature amorphous engineering plastics available.
Strength-to-Weight Ratio
| Material | Density (g/cm³) | Tensile Strength |
|---|---|---|
| PEI 1000 | 1.27 | 110 MPa |
| PPSU | 1.29 | 80 MPa |
| PSU | 1.26 | 75 MPa |
| Aluminum 6061 | 2.70 | 310 MPa |
PEI 1000 provides excellent structural performance while remaining lightweight.
Chemical Resistance
| Chemical Environment | Performance |
|---|---|
| Water | Excellent |
| Steam | Excellent |
| Alcohols | Excellent |
| Oils & Greases | Excellent |
| Cleaning Agents | Excellent |
| Dilute Acids | Good |
| Dilute Alkalis | Good |
| Strong Organic Solvents | Moderate |
PEI 1000 performs exceptionally well in sterilization and industrial cleaning environments.
Hydrolysis Resistance
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Steam Resistance | Excellent |
| Hot Water Resistance | Excellent |
| Hydrolysis Stability | Excellent |
| Autoclave Resistance | Excellent |
PEI 1000 can withstand hundreds of steam sterilization cycles.
Flame Retardancy
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Self-Extinguishing | Yes |
| UL Flammability Rating | UL94 V-0 |
| Flame Resistance | Outstanding |
| Smoke Generation | Very Low |
PEI 1000 is inherently flame retardant without halogen additives.
Electrical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Volume Resistivity | >10¹⁷ Ω·cm |
| Surface Resistivity | >10¹⁵ Ω |
| Dielectric Strength | 30–35 kV/mm |
| Dielectric Constant | 3.1–3.3 |
PEI 1000 offers some of the best electrical insulation properties among engineering plastics.
Transparency & Optical Properties
| Property | Value |
|---|---|
| Transparency | Good |
| Light Transmission | 85–88% |
| Optical Clarity | Good |
| Natural Color | Amber |
PEI 1000 allows visual inspection while maintaining high thermal performance.
Dimensional Stability
| Property | Performance |
|---|---|
| Thermal Expansion Control | Excellent |
| Moisture Stability | Excellent |
| Precision Retention | Outstanding |
| Long-Term Stability | Outstanding |
PEI 1000 is commonly used for precision engineering applications.
Machinability
| Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| CNC Milling | Excellent |
| CNC Turning | Excellent |
| Drilling | Excellent |
| Tapping | Excellent |
| Precision Machining | Excellent |
Machinability Comparison
| Material | Machinability |
|---|---|
| PEI 1000 | Excellent |
| PEEK | Excellent |
| PPSU | Excellent |
| POM | Outstanding |
PEI 1000 machines cleanly and maintains tight dimensional tolerances.
3D Printing Characteristics
| Property | Rating |
|---|---|
| FDM Printability | Excellent |
| Layer Adhesion | Excellent |
| High-Temperature Capability | Outstanding |
| Dimensional Accuracy | Excellent |
PEI 1000 is widely used for aerospace and industrial additive manufacturing.
Manufacturing Characteristics
| Manufacturing Process | Rating |
|---|---|
| Injection Molding | Excellent |
| Extrusion | Excellent |
| CNC Machining | Excellent |
| Additive Manufacturing | Outstanding |
| Precision Manufacturing | Outstanding |
PEI 1000 combines excellent processability with high-performance material characteristics.
International Equivalent Grades
| Standard | Equivalent Grade |
|---|---|
| SABIC | Ultem™ 1000 |
| ISO | PEI |
| ASTM | Polyetherimide |
| DIN | PEI |
| JIS | PEI |
| GB/T (China) | 聚醚酰亚胺（PEI） |
| UL | UL94 V-0 |
| FDA | Food Contact Grades Available |
Available Forms
| Product Type | Availability |
|---|---|
| Sheet | Yes |
| Rod | Yes |
| Pellets | Yes |
| Filament | Yes |
| Injection Molded Parts | Yes |
| CNC Machined Components | Yes |
Typical Applications
Aerospace Industry
- Aircraft Interior Components
- Electrical Connectors
- Ducting Systems
- Structural Supports
Medical Industry
- Sterilizable Components
- Diagnostic Equipment
- Surgical Instrument Parts
- Medical Device Housings
Semiconductor Industry
- Wafer Handling Fixtures
- Insulating Components
- Process Equipment Parts
Electrical & Electronics
- Connector Housings
- Circuit Board Fixtures
- High-Voltage Insulators
- Electrical Supports
Food Processing Industry
- Sterilizable Components
- Food Contact Equipment
- Beverage Processing Parts
Industrial Equipment
- Precision Fixtures
- Structural Components
- High-Temperature Components
Advantages
Exceptional Heat Resistance
Glass transition temperature of approximately 217°C.
Outstanding Electrical Insulation
Ideal for demanding electronic and semiconductor applications.
Excellent Mechanical Strength
Maintains structural integrity under elevated temperatures.
Inherent Flame Retardancy
UL94 V-0 without additional flame retardants.
Good Transparency
Allows visual inspection of components and assemblies.
Excellent Sterilization Resistance
Suitable for medical and food processing applications.
Limitations
Higher Material Cost
More expensive than standard engineering plastics.
Sensitive to Certain Solvents
Strong chlorinated and aromatic solvents may affect performance.
Lower Chemical Resistance Than PEEK
PEEK performs better in aggressive chemical environments.
Amber Appearance
Not optically clear like acrylic or polycarbonate.
Comparison with Other PEI Grades
| Property | PEI 1000 | PEI 2100 | PEI 2200 | PEI 2300 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glass Fiber Content | 0% | 10% | 20% | 30% |
| Toughness | Highest | High | Moderate | Lower |
| Stiffness | Good | Better | Excellent | Outstanding |
| Electrical Insulation | Outstanding | Excellent | Excellent | Good |
| Machinability | Excellent | Excellent | Good | Good |
Comparison with PPSU
| Property | PEI 1000 | PPSU |
|---|---|---|
| Heat Resistance | Higher | |
| Flame Retardancy | Better | |
| Stiffness | Higher | |
| Impact Resistance | Lower | |
| Chemical Resistance | Lower |
PEI 1000 is often selected for high-temperature electrical applications, while PPSU is preferred for extreme toughness and sterilization durability.
Available Surface Finishes
Standard Finishes
- Natural Amber Finish
- Machined Finish
- Molded Finish
Functional Finishes
- Polished Surface
- Precision Ground Finish
- Aerospace Finish
Specialty Grades
- Ultem™ 1000
- Medical Grade PEI 1000
- FDA-Compliant PEI 1000
- Aerospace Grade PEI 1000
- 3D Printing Grade PEI 1000
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
What is PEI 1000?
PEI 1000 (Ultem™ 1000) is the unfilled grade of Polyetherimide offering high heat resistance, flame retardancy, electrical insulation, and dimensional stability.
What is PEI 1000 used for?
Typical applications include:
- Aerospace Components
- Medical Devices
- Semiconductor Equipment
- Electrical Connectors
- Precision Industrial Parts
Is PEI 1000 flame retardant?
Yes. PEI 1000 is inherently UL94 V-0 rated without halogen flame retardants.
Is PEI 1000 autoclavable?
Yes. It can withstand repeated steam sterilization cycles.
Can PEI 1000 be machined?
Yes. PEI 1000 offers excellent CNC machining performance and dimensional stability.
Why choose PEI 1000?
Because it combines:
- Outstanding Heat Resistance
- Excellent Electrical Insulation
- High Mechanical Strength
- Flame Retardancy
- Sterilization Compatibility
What is the difference between PEI 1000 and PEI 2300?
PEI 1000 provides higher toughness and electrical insulation, while PEI 2300 offers greater stiffness and dimensional stability due to 30% glass fiber reinforcement.
Does GCNOV provide PEI 1000 manufacturing services?
Yes. GCNOV provides:
- PEI 1000 CNC Machining
- Injection Molding
- Aerospace Component Manufacturing
- Medical Device Components
- Semiconductor Equipment Parts
- Industrial 3D Printing
- Prototype Development
- Low-Volume Production
- Mass Production