Polyetherimide PEI

spore: profile
id: pei-ultem
spore_version: 0.2
family: high-performance-polymers
name: Polyetherimide
abbreviation: PEI
role: high-performance thermoplastic (Ultem), flame-retardant grades for moulding and FDM printing
category: polymers
type: high-performance
summary: |
  Polyetherimide (PEI, sold as Ultem) is an amorphous, high-temperature thermoplastic. The base resin, Ultem 1000 (SABIC datasheet), has a density of 1.27 g/cm3, a glass transition of 217 degC and a yield strength of 110 MPa (ISO 527). The FDM grade Ultem 9085, read from a Materialise page, has a density of 1.34 g/cm3, a tensile strength of 70 MPa, a heat deflection temperature of 173 degC at 1.82 MPa and a glass transition of 186 degC (DSC). Ensinger lists a continuous service temperature of 170 degC for PEI. As a sample on the MISSE 2 experiment in low Earth orbit it had an atomic oxygen erosion yield of 3.31e-24 cm3/atom, which is a lower bound because the sample eroded through.
best_for: High-temperature parts that need flame retardance and stiffness, with a glass transition of 217 degC for the base resin and 186 degC for the 9085 FDM grade
weakest_at: 'Atomic oxygen in low Earth orbit: an erosion yield of at least 3.31e-24 cm3/atom on the MISSE 2 sample; stress cracking in chlorinated solvents'
identity:
  formula: Polyetherimide, repeat unit C37H24O6N2 (molar mass 592.61 g/mol), made of phthalimide and bisphenol A sub-units
  cas: 61128-46-9
  source: wiki-pei
  where: 'Wikipedia Polyetherimide page (infobox: CAS number, repeat-unit formula and molar mass; Structure section). The CAS number is the Wikipedia infobox value. The 9085 FDM grade is a modified formulation, so its CAS is not implied.'
tags:
  environments:
    - low-earth-orbit
  stresses:
    - atomic-oxygen
  applications:
    - structures
    - electronics-and-chips
    - in-space-manufacturing
properties:
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, Ultem 9085 FDM grade
    value: 1.34
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultem 9085 (FDM filament/print grade, not the base resin)
      test: ASTM D792
    method: Value printed on the Materialise Ultem 9085 materials page
    status: ground
    source: materialise-9085
    where: Materials property table, Density row
  - benchmark: tensile_strength
    label: Tensile strength, Ultem 9085 FDM grade
    value: 70
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultem 9085 FDM
      test: ASTM D638
      orientation: not stated on the page
    method: Value printed on the Materialise page; the page says actual values vary with build conditions and orientation
    status: ground
    source: materialise-9085
    where: Materials property table, Tensile strength row
  - benchmark: tensile_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus, Ultem 9085 FDM grade
    value: 2465
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultem 9085 FDM
      test: ASTM D638
      orientation: not stated on the page
    method: Value printed on the Materialise page
    status: ground
    source: materialise-9085
    where: Materials property table, Tensile modulus row
  - benchmark: elongation_at_break
    label: Elongation at break, Ultem 9085 FDM grade
    value: 5.4
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultem 9085 FDM
      test: ASTM D638
      orientation: not stated on the page
    method: Value printed on the Materialise page
    status: ground
    source: materialise-9085
    where: Materials property table, Elongation at break row
  - benchmark: flexural_strength
    label: Flexural strength, Ultem 9085 FDM grade
    value: 100
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultem 9085 FDM
      test: ASTM D790
      orientation: not stated on the page
    method: Value printed on the Materialise page
    status: ground
    source: materialise-9085
    where: Materials property table, Flexural strength row
  - benchmark: flexural_modulus
    label: Flexural modulus, Ultem 9085 FDM grade
    value: 2400
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultem 9085 FDM
      test: ASTM D790
      orientation: not stated on the page
    method: Value printed on the Materialise page
    status: ground
    source: materialise-9085
    where: Materials property table, Flexural modulus row
  - benchmark: izod_impact
    label: Notched Izod impact strength, Ultem 9085 FDM grade
    value: 88
    unit: J/m
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultem 9085 FDM
      test: ASTM D256
    method: Value printed on the Materialise page
    status: ground
    source: materialise-9085
    where: Materials property table, Impact strength (notched Izod) row
  - benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
    label: Heat deflection temperature, Ultem 9085 FDM grade
    value: 173
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultem 9085 FDM
      test: ASTM D648
      load: 1.82 MPa (printed as @1.82 MPa)
    method: Value printed on the Materialise page
    status: ground
    source: materialise-9085
    where: Materials property table, Heat deflection temperature row
  - benchmark: glass_transition_temperature
    label: Glass transition temperature, Ultem 9085 FDM grade
    value: 186
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: Ultem 9085 FDM
      method: DSC (printed as DSC (SSYS))
    method: Value printed on the Materialise page
    status: ground
    source: materialise-9085
    where: Materials property table, Glass transition temperature row
  - benchmark: continuous_service_temperature
    value: 170
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      basis: PEI unfilled, as printed in the Ensinger PEI page
      note: page gives 170 degC against 160 degC for PSU; no test standard printed
    method: Value printed on the Ensinger PEI page (High continuous service temperature)
    status: ground
    source: ensinger-pei
    where: Ensinger PEI plastic page, PEI properties list
  - benchmark: atomic_oxygen_erosion_yield
    label: Atomic oxygen erosion yield, MISSE 2 PEI sample (ISS, low Earth orbit)
    value: 3.31e-24
    unit: cm3/atom
    scope: material
    conditions:
      environment: low Earth orbit, ISS MISSE 2 PEC 2 tray 1 (outside the Quest airlock)
      exposure: 2001-08-16 to 2005-07-30 (3.95 years)
      atomic_oxygen_fluence: 8.43e21 atoms/cm2
      solar_exposure: 5000-6700 equivalent sun hours
      thermal_cycling: '-30 to 40 degC (nominal base-plate range)'
    method: Flight value from the NASA MISSE 2 passport; sample eroded through, so the true yield is higher
    status: flight
    bound: lower
    source: nasa-misse2
    where: Table I (NASA/TM-2008-215490); exposure details in section 2.1
  - benchmark: density
    label: Density, ULTEM 1000 base resin
    value: 1.27
    unit: g/cm3
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: ULTEM 1000 resin (unreinforced, natural)
      test: ISO 1183 (ASTM D792 gives the same 1.27 on the same datasheet)
    method: Typical value printed on the SABIC ULTEM 1000 datasheet (revision 20260625)
    status: ground
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Typical property values, PHYSICAL section, Density row
  - benchmark: yield_strength
    label: Tensile stress at yield, ULTEM 1000 base resin
    value: 110
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: ULTEM 1000 resin (unreinforced)
      test: ISO 527, 50 mm/min
    method: Typical value printed on the SABIC datasheet (ASTM D638 Type I, 50 mm/min, gives 115 MPa on the same sheet)
    status: ground
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Typical property values, MECHANICAL section, Tensile Stress yield row
  - benchmark: elongation
    label: Tensile strain at break, ULTEM 1000 base resin
    value: 50
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: ULTEM 1000 resin
      test: ISO 527, 50 mm/min
    method: Typical value printed on the SABIC datasheet (ASTM D638 Type I gives 60 %)
    status: ground
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Typical property values, MECHANICAL section, Tensile Strain break row
  - benchmark: elastic_modulus
    label: Tensile modulus, ULTEM 1000 base resin
    value: 3200
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: ULTEM 1000 resin
      test: ISO 527, 1 mm/min
    method: Typical value printed on the SABIC datasheet (ASTM D638 at 5 mm/min gives 3350 MPa)
    status: ground
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Typical property values, MECHANICAL section, Tensile Modulus row
  - benchmark: flexural_strength
    label: Flexural stress at yield, ULTEM 1000 base resin
    value: 160
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: ULTEM 1000 resin
      test: ISO 178, 2 mm/min
    method: Typical value printed on the SABIC datasheet (ASTM D790 gives 165 MPa at 1.3 mm/min)
    status: ground
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Typical property values, MECHANICAL section, Flexural Stress yield row
  - benchmark: flexural_modulus
    label: Flexural modulus, ULTEM 1000 base resin
    value: 3300
    unit: MPa
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: ULTEM 1000 resin
      test: ISO 178, 2 mm/min
    method: Typical value printed on the SABIC datasheet
    status: ground
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Typical property values, MECHANICAL section, Flexural Modulus row
  - benchmark: izod_impact
    label: Notched Izod impact strength, ULTEM 1000 base resin, 23 C
    value: 53
    unit: J/m
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: ULTEM 1000 resin
      test: ASTM D256
      temperature: 23 degC
    method: Typical value printed on the SABIC datasheet (ISO 180/1A gives 6 kJ/m2 at 23 degC)
    status: ground
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Typical property values, IMPACT section, Izod impact notched 23 degC row
  - benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
    label: Heat deflection temperature, ULTEM 1000 base resin, 1.82 MPa
    value: 201
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: ULTEM 1000 resin, unannealed
      test: ASTM D648
      load: 1.82 MPa, 6.4 mm bar
    method: Typical value printed on the SABIC datasheet (the 0.45 MPa value on the same sheet is 210 degC)
    status: ground
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Typical property values, THERMAL section, HDT 1.82 MPa 6.4 mm row
  - benchmark: vicat_softening_temperature
    label: Vicat softening temperature, ULTEM 1000 base resin, rate A/50
    value: 215
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: ULTEM 1000 resin
      test: ISO 306, method A/50
    method: Typical value printed on the SABIC datasheet (rate B/50 gives 211 degC)
    status: ground
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Typical property values, THERMAL section, Vicat Softening Temp Rate A/50 row
  - benchmark: glass_transition_temperature
    label: Glass transition temperature, ULTEM 1000 base resin
    value: 217
    unit: degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: ULTEM 1000 resin (unreinforced amorphous PEI)
    method: Stated in the SABIC datasheet description (may offer a high Tg of 217 degC); also stated in the Wikipedia PEI article
    status: ground
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Datasheet DESCRIPTION paragraph, first sentence
  - benchmark: thermal_conductivity
    label: Thermal conductivity, ULTEM 1000 base resin
    value: 0.22
    unit: W/m-degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: ULTEM 1000 resin
      test: ISO 8302
    method: Typical value printed on the SABIC datasheet
    status: ground
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Typical property values, THERMAL section, Thermal Conductivity row
  - benchmark: cte
    label: Coefficient of thermal expansion, ULTEM 1000 base resin, -40 to 150 C, flow
    value: 0.000052
    unit: 1/degC
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: ULTEM 1000 resin
      test: ISO 11359-2
      range: '-40 to 150 degC, flow direction'
    method: Typical value printed on the SABIC datasheet (cross-flow value is the same)
    status: ground
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Typical property values, THERMAL section, CTE flow row
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Water absorption, ULTEM 1000 base resin, 24 h at 23 C
    value: 0.25
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: ULTEM 1000 resin
      test: ISO 62-1 (ASTM D570 gives the same 0.25 %)
      exposure: 23 degC, 24 h immersion
    method: Typical value printed on the SABIC datasheet
    status: ground
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Typical property values, PHYSICAL section, Water Absorption 23 C 24 hrs row
  - benchmark: moisture_absorption
    label: Water absorption, ULTEM 1000 base resin, saturated at 23 C
    value: 1.25
    unit: '%'
    scope: material
    conditions:
      grade: ULTEM 1000 resin
      test: ISO 62-1 (ASTM D570 gives the same 1.25 %)
      exposure: 23 degC, saturated
    method: Typical value printed on the SABIC datasheet
    status: ground
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Typical property values, PHYSICAL section, Water Absorption 23 C saturated row
corrosion:
  - environment: Low Earth orbit, atomic oxygen (MISSE 2, ISS outside the Quest airlock, 3.95 years)
    headline: Atomic oxygen eroded the PEI sample through, so its erosion yield is only a lower bound.
    effect: The MISSE 2 PEI sample recorded an erosion yield of 3.31e-24 cm3/atom at an atomic oxygen fluence of 8.43e21 atoms/cm2. The sample eroded through, so the true yield is higher than this value.
    rating: severe
    conditions:
      fluence: 8.43e21 atoms/cm2
      duration: 3.95 years
      sun_exposure: 5000-6700 equivalent sun hours
    source: nasa-misse2
    where: Table I (NASA/TM-2008-215490); passport exposure details
  - environment: Hot water and repeated steam sterilisation
    headline: Very good hydrolysis resistance; PEI is suitable for repeated steam sterilisation in medical and food applications.
    effect: Ensinger lists very good hydrolysis resistance as a PEI property and names repeated steam sterilisation for medical and food use. SABIC lists hydrolytic stability among the features of ULTEM 1000. No cycle count, temperature or retention figure was printed on either page.
    rating: low
    conditions:
      cycle: repeated steam sterilisation (no number printed)
    source: ensinger-pei
    where: PEI properties and specifications list (Very good hydrolysis resistance)
  - environment: Water immersion at 23 C
    headline: Water uptake is low, 0.25 percent after 24 h and 1.25 percent at saturation.
    effect: The base resin takes up 0.25 percent water in 24 hours and 1.25 percent at saturation at 23 C (ISO 62-1). Both values are printed on the SABIC datasheet. The 9085 FDM grade has no water-uptake value in this profile.
    rating: low
    conditions:
      time: 24 h and saturated
      temperature: 23 degC
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: PHYSICAL section, Water Absorption rows
  - environment: Chlorine and caustic or acidic cleaning agents
    headline: Good chemical resistance to chlorine and to caustic or acidic cleaners (Ensinger).
    effect: Ensinger lists good chemical resistance to chlorine and caustic/acidic cleaning agents. SABIC describes very good chemical resistance for an amorphous material. No concentration, time or temperature was printed.
    rating: low
    conditions:
      agents: chlorine, caustic and acidic cleaners
    source: ensinger-pei
    where: PEI properties and specifications list (chemical resistance bullet)
  - environment: Chlorinated solvents under stress
    headline: PEI is prone to stress cracking in chlorinated solvents.
    effect: Wikipedia states that PEI is prone to stress cracking in chlorinated solvents. No solvent name, stress level or time to crack is given in the article.
    rating: moderate
    conditions:
      stress: applied or residual (not quantified)
    source: wiki-pei
    where: Properties section, first paragraph
  - environment: Ultraviolet light with water exposure
    headline: UV-C resistant; the datasheet rates UV-light water exposure or immersion as F2 under UL 746C.
    effect: SABIC lists UV-C resistance among the features of ULTEM 1000 and gives an F2 result for UV-light water exposure or immersion under UL 746C. The F code is printed as F2 without a numeric dose or retention.
    rating: low
    conditions:
      test: UL 746C UV-light water exposure/immersion
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Features list (UV-C resistant); Electrical section, UL 746C row
  - environment: Fire and smoke
    headline: UL 94 V-0 at 0.75 mm and 5VA at 3 mm; NBS smoke density 0.7 at 4 minutes (ASTM E662).
    effect: The natural resin is inherently flame retardant (UL 94 V-0 at 0.75 mm, 5VA at 3 mm, aerospace FAR 25.853). The datasheet gives NBS smoke density Ds 0.7 at 4 min (flaming, ASTM E662). Ensinger lists low smoke emission as a key aerospace property.
    rating: none
    conditions:
      thickness: 0.75 mm (V-0), 3 mm (5VA)
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Description paragraph; UL 94 rows; NBS Smoke Density row
  - environment: Radiation
    headline: Good radiation resistance, per Ensinger, with no dose or retention figure printed.
    effect: Ensinger lists good radiation resistance as a PEI property. The page gives no dose, dose rate or retained property. No radiation result is in this profile beyond that claim.
    rating: low
    conditions:
      dose: not printed
    source: ensinger-pei
    where: PEI properties and specifications list (Good radiation resistance)
risks:
  hazards:
    - text: 'PubChem aggregated GHS for m-phenylenediamine, the diamine monomer (CID 7935): H301 toxic if swallowed and H311 toxic in contact with skin (each listed in 100 percent of notifications), with H317, H331, H341, H361 and H372 also listed. This describes the monomer, not the polymer. No SDS for PEI polymer was read.'
      ghs:
        - H301
        - H311
        - H317
        - H331
        - H341
        - H361
        - H372
      source: pubchem-mpda
      where: Safety and Hazards, GHS Classification (aggregated)
  failure_risks:
    - mode: Stress cracking in chlorinated solvents
      trigger: Chlorinated solvent in contact with a stressed PEI part
      consequence: Stress cracking; Wikipedia gives no solvent name, stress level or time
      source: wiki-pei
      where: Properties section
    - mode: Atomic oxygen erosion in low Earth orbit
      trigger: Atomic oxygen fluence in LEO (8.43e21 atoms/cm2 on MISSE 2, 3.95 years)
      consequence: Surface erosion; the MISSE 2 sample eroded through, so the yield is a lower bound
      severity: critical
      source: nasa-misse2
      where: Table I (NASA/TM-2008-215490)
  side_effects: []
  handling:
    - text: Dry before moulding. SABIC gives a drying temperature of 140 to 150 degC for 4 to 6 h, with a cumulative drying time of 24 h and a maximum moisture content of 0.02 percent for injection moulding.
      source: sabic-ultem1000
      where: Processing section, injection moulding and extrusion blow moulding rows
    - text: Melt temperature is 350 to 410 degC for injection moulding (SABIC), and mould temperature is 135 to 180 degC.
      source: sabic-ultem1000
      where: Processing section, injection moulding rows
  mitigations:
    - text: Keep chlorinated solvents away from stressed parts (Wikipedia).
      source: wiki-pei
      where: Properties section
    - text: Dry the resin to 0.02 percent moisture or less before moulding (SABIC).
      source: sabic-ultem1000
      where: Processing section
uses:
  - application: in-space-manufacturing
    device: FDM 3D-printed parts in Ultem 9085 (flame-retardant grade)
    example: Materialise describes Ultem 9085 as a pioneering flame-retardant thermoplastic for additive manufacturing.
    source: materialise-9085
    where: Materials page, product description
  - application: structures
    device: FDM 3D-printed aerospace parts in Ultem 9085
    example: Materialise says 9085 suits production-grade end-use parts, particularly in the aerospace and automotive industries.
    source: materialise-9085
    where: Materials page, product description (aerospace and automotive sentence)
  - application: structures
    device: Aircraft interior components (ULTEM 1000 base resin)
    example: SABIC lists Aircraft Interiors under Mass Transportation for the ULTEM 1000 grade; Ensinger calls PEI a preferred material for aircraft interiors.
    source: sabic-ultem1000-eu
    where: Market segments table, Mass Transportation row; Ensinger PEI description paragraph (via ensinger-pei)
  - application: electronics-and-chips
    device: Coils and fuses
    example: Ensinger lists coils and fuses under the electronics industry for PEI.
    source: ensinger-pei
    where: PEI applications and areas of use, Electronics industry
supply:
  - subject: Resin producer
    abundance: SABIC makes the ULTEM resin. Its ULTEM 1000 datasheets are published by SABIC, and Ensinger extrudes its PEI plate and rod from SABIC ULTEM. No production volume or country share was printed.
    producers:
      - name: SABIC
        note: Named as the resin producer on the datasheet and the Ensinger page
        country: SABIC
    critical_lists: []
    recycling: Not sourced.
    substitutes:
      - Polysulfone (PSU) can often be used interchangeably with PEI, per Ensinger; PEI has a higher continuous temperature (170 degC against 160 degC), higher strength and higher stiffness.
    source: sabic-ultem1000
    where: Datasheet copyright line (SABIC); Ensinger PEI vs PSU section (via ensinger-pei)
media: []
documents:
  - title: 'Materialise: Ultem 9085 materials page (FDM)'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.materialise.com/en/manufacturing/materials/ultem-9085
    year: 2026
  - title: 'Ensinger: PEI plastic (Ultem) page'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://www.ensingerplastics.com/en/thermoplastic-materials/pei-plastic
    year: 2026
  - title: 'NASA/TM-2008-215490: Atomic Oxygen Erosion Yield Predictive Tool for Spacecraft Polymers in Low Earth Orbit'
    type: report
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20090011780
    year: 2008
  - title: 'SABIC: ULTEM Resin 1000 typical property values datasheet (revision 20260625)'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://materialfinder.sabic-specialties.com/document-download/69d81a01-36d8-eb11-810a-005056857ef3
    year: 2026
  - title: 'SABIC: ULTEM 1000 resin datasheet, EU region (revision 20200108)'
    type: datasheet
    url: https://s651cb2b1e69afc5a.jimcontent.com/download/version/1714045832/module/8517676398/name/ULTEM_1000-1000-gb_sabic.pdf
    year: 2020
  - title: 'PubChem CID 7935: m-phenylenediamine (GHS classification)'
    type: database
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7935
    year: 2026
  - title: 'PubChem CID 94483: bisphenol A dianhydride (BPADA), monomer formula and molar mass'
    type: database
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/94483
    year: 2026
gaps:
  - Repeat unit C37H24O6N2 and monomers (bisphenol A dianhydride, m-phenylenediamine) are from Wikipedia and PubChem. The imidisation route is from Wikipedia (production paragraph). The elemental percentages in the recipe are computed from the formula with standard atomic weights; the atomic weights are not from a fetched page.
  - Not found - feedstock and abundance for the PEI monomers, country shares of resin production, and critical-mineral lists. No USGS or EU list entry for PEI or its monomers was read.
  - Not found - outgassing values (TML, CVCM, WVR) for PEI. The NASA outgassing database search page is dynamic and returned no Ultem rows in the static HTML. SABIC lists low outgassing only as a qualitative feature.
  - Not found - hazard data for the dianhydride (BPADA) and for PEI polymer; no SDS was read. Hazards for m-phenylenediamine come from PubChem aggregated GHS, not a supplier SDS.
  - Not found - a connector application; no source read in this run names PEI connectors. The sterilisable medical tray use is supported only by the Ensinger hydrolysis and steam-sterilisation claim and the SABIC Surgical devices market row; the allowed application list has no medical category, so it is not entered as a use.
  - Not in the property canon - UL 746B relative temperature index of 170 degC (electrical and mechanical with and without impact, SABIC) and NBS smoke density Ds 0.7. They are recorded in corrosion text only.
  - Unreachable or unread in this run - Curbell (page without PEI values), Professional Plastics (403), Quadrant (no response), and the SABIC main product page. Mitsubishi Chemical Advanced Materials was not opened.
  - No UV dose, radiation dose or thermal-vacuum result for PEI; only qualitative claims (Ensinger, SABIC) are recorded.
  - Only the 9085 grade has a sourced tensile, flexural and HDT set from Materialise; the base resin set is from SABIC. Both are labelled by grade.
sources:
  materialise-9085:
    title: Ultem 9085 materials page (Materialise)
    id: Materialise, Ultem 9085
    url: https://www.materialise.com/en/manufacturing/materials/ultem-9085
    year: 2026
    kind: web
    license: Cited, not reproduced
  ensinger-pei:
    title: PEI plastic (Ensinger)
    id: Ensinger, PEI plastic page
    url: https://www.ensingerplastics.com/en/thermoplastic-materials/pei-plastic
    year: 2026
    kind: web
    license: Cited, not reproduced
  nasa-misse2:
    title: Atomic Oxygen Erosion Yield Predictive Tool for Spacecraft Polymers in Low Earth Orbit
    id: NASA/TM-2008-215490 (Banks, Backus and de Groh, December 2008)
    url: https://ntrs.nasa.gov/citations/20090011780
    year: 2008
    kind: report
    license: Public domain (NASA)
  sabic-ultem1000:
    title: ULTEM Resin 1000 typical property values (SABIC Material Finder datasheet)
    id: SABIC, ULTEM Resin 1000, revision 20260625
    url: https://materialfinder.sabic-specialties.com/document-download/69d81a01-36d8-eb11-810a-005056857ef3
    year: 2026
    kind: datasheet
    license: Cited, not reproduced
  sabic-ultem1000-eu:
    title: ULTEM 1000 resin datasheet, EU region (SABIC)
    id: SABIC, ULTEM 1000 EU datasheet, revision 20200108
    url: https://s651cb2b1e69afc5a.jimcontent.com/download/version/1714045832/module/8517676398/name/ULTEM_1000-1000-gb_sabic.pdf
    year: 2020
    kind: datasheet
    license: Cited, not reproduced
  wiki-pei:
    title: Polyetherimide (Wikipedia)
    id: Wikipedia, Polyetherimide article (infobox, Properties, Production)
    url: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyetherimide
    year: 2026
    kind: web
    license: CC-BY-SA-4.0
  pubchem-mpda:
    title: m-Phenylenediamine, PubChem CID 7935
    id: PubChem CID 7935
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/7935
    year: 2026
    kind: database
    license: Public domain (NIH PubChem)
  pubchem-bpada:
    title: 4,4'-(4,4'-Isopropylidenediphenoxy)bis(phthalic anhydride), PubChem CID 94483
    id: PubChem CID 94483
    url: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/94483
    year: 2026
    kind: database
    license: Public domain (NIH PubChem)
story:
  recipe:
    line: Polyetherimide is made by imidisation of a flexible dianhydride with m-phenylenediamine (Wikipedia, Production). The dianhydride is based on bisphenol A and has ether and isopropylidene links, which give flexibility and melt processability (Wikipedia). The repeat unit is C37H24O6N2, molar mass 592.61 g/mol, with phthalimide and bisphenol A sub-units (Wikipedia). The monomer formulas give C31H20O8 + C6H8N2 to C37H24O6N2 + 2 H2O, so each repeat unit releases two water molecules (PubChem formulas, CID 94483 and CID 7935).
    parts:
      - name: Bisphenol A dianhydride
        symbol: BPADA
        molar_mass: 520.5
        share_note: 82.8 percent of the monomer charge by mass (computed from 520.5 and 108.14 g/mol); atoms C31H20O8
        role: Flexible dianhydride with ether and isopropylidene links; gives the chain its melt processability.
      - name: m-Phenylenediamine
        symbol: mPDA
        molar_mass: 108.14
        share_note: 17.2 percent of the monomer charge by mass (computed); atoms C6H8N2
        role: Diamine that closes the imide rings with the dianhydride.
      - name: Carbon
        symbol: C
        share_percent: 75
        atoms: 37
        role: About three quarters of the repeat unit by mass (computed from C37H24O6N2, standard atomic weights).
      - name: Hydrogen
        symbol: H
        share_percent: 4.1
        atoms: 24
        role: Computed share of the repeat unit by mass.
      - name: Oxygen
        symbol: O
        share_percent: 16.2
        atoms: 6
        role: Computed share of the repeat unit by mass; the ether and imide carbonyl oxygens.
      - name: Nitrogen
        symbol: 'N'
        share_percent: 4.7
        atoms: 2
        role: Computed share of the repeat unit by mass; the imide nitrogens.
  risk_groups:
    - title: For people
      level: 1
      verdict: Monomer hazards are the watch point
      lead: No safety data sheet for the PEI polymer was read. The PubChem record below is for the diamine monomer.
      points:
        - label: m-Phenylenediamine
          line: PubChem aggregated GHS for the diamine monomer lists H301 and H311 (toxic if swallowed or in contact with skin) in all notifications, with H317, H331, H341, H361 and H372 also listed.
        - label: Workshop
          line: Printing or moulding PEI can release fume from heating. Check the supplier safety data sheet before work.
    - title: In the environment
      level: 2
      verdict: Atomic oxygen is the severe route in orbit
      lead: Low Earth orbit erodes the surface; chlorinated solvents crack stressed parts.
      points:
        - label: Atomic oxygen
          line: The MISSE 2 sample eroded through at 3.31e-24 cm3/atom (lower bound), the severe rating in the corrosion list.
        - label: Chlorinated solvents
          line: Wikipedia says PEI is prone to stress cracking in chlorinated solvents.
    - title: Heat and steam
      level: 0
      verdict: Hydrolysis resistance is a strength
      lead: PEI tolerates repeated steam sterilisation and low water uptake.
      points:
        - label: Steam
          line: Ensinger lists very good hydrolysis resistance and repeated steam sterilisation for medical and food applications.
        - label: Water
          line: SABIC gives 0.25 percent water absorption in 24 h and 1.25 percent at saturation at 23 C (ISO 62-1).
  why: PEI keeps its stiffness at high temperature. The base resin has a glass transition of 217 degC and a heat deflection temperature of 201 degC at 1.82 MPa, and the 9085 FDM grade has a glass transition of 186 degC. Its repeat unit has a rigid imide ring with an ether and isopropylidene link, which gives flexibility for melt processing.
  uses:
    - where: Aircraft interiors
      line: SABIC lists Aircraft Interiors under Mass Transportation for ULTEM 1000. Ensinger calls PEI a preferred material for aircraft interiors because it is inherently flame retardant with low smoke emission.
    - where: Aerospace 3D printing
      line: Materialise says 9085 suits production-grade parts, particularly in aerospace and automotive, with the flame-retardant grade used for FDM printing.
    - where: Electronics
      line: Ensinger lists coils and fuses under its electronics applications for PEI.
    - where: Chemical and laboratory equipment
      line: Ensinger lists laboratory equipment under its chemical industry applications for PEI.
  can_do:
    - label: Hold a heat
      value: 201 degC
      line: Hold a heat deflection temperature of 201 degC at 1.82 MPa for the base resin (SABIC, ASTM D648).
    - label: Give a continuous
      value: 170 degC
      line: Give a continuous service temperature of 170 degC for PEI (Ensinger), and a UL 746B relative temperature index of 170 degC (SABIC).
    - label: Resist flame
      value: UL 94 V-0
      line: Pass UL 94 V-0 at 0.75 mm without added flame retardant, and 5VA at 3 mm (SABIC).
    - label: Survive steam
      value: repeated
      line: Withstand repeated steam sterilisation, per Ensinger, with very good hydrolysis resistance.
  compare: The base resin Ultem 1000 has a density of 1.27 g/cm3, a yield strength of 110 MPa and a tensile modulus of 3200 MPa (ISO 527), with a heat deflection temperature of 201 degC at 1.82 MPa. The 9085 FDM grade is less stiff and has a density of 1.34 g/cm3, a tensile strength of 70 MPa and a heat deflection temperature of 173 degC. In low Earth orbit the MISSE 2 sample eroded through, so the erosion yield is at least 3.31e-24 cm3/atom.
  compare_rows:
    - scope: material
      label: Density
      benchmark: density
    - scope: material
      label: Tensile strength
      benchmark: tensile_strength
    - scope: material
      label: Heat deflection temperature
      benchmark: heat_deflection_temperature
  handling:
    - 'Dry the resin before moulding: 140 to 150 degC for 4 to 6 h, cumulative 24 h, to a maximum of 0.02 percent moisture (SABIC).'
    - Injection moulding melt temperature is 350 to 410 degC and mould temperature 135 to 180 degC (SABIC).
    - Keep chlorinated solvents away from stressed parts (Wikipedia).
  good_for:
    - Printed or moulded parts that must stay stiff at 170 degC to 201 degC.
    - Flame-retardant aircraft interior parts and electrical coil formers, per Ensinger and SABIC.
    - Parts that are steam sterilised repeatedly, per Ensinger.
  watch_out:
    - 'Values are for the grade named on each row: the base resin (SABIC) or the 9085 FDM grade (Materialise).'
    - The atomic oxygen erosion yield is a lower bound.
    - Chlorinated solvents cause stress cracking; keep them away from stressed parts.
    - The monomer m-phenylenediamine is toxic; the PEI polymer hazard data is not sourced.
  verdict: PEI is a flame-retardant amorphous thermoplastic. The base resin Ultem 1000 has a density of 1.27 g/cm3, a glass transition of 217 degC and a heat deflection temperature of 201 degC at 1.82 MPa, and it passes UL 94 V-0. Ensinger and SABIC both support repeated steam sterilisation and low water uptake. In low Earth orbit the MISSE 2 sample eroded through, so its erosion yield is at least 3.31e-24 cm3/atom. Outgassing values and polymer hazard data are still missing.
meta:
  status: draft
  method: assistant
  checked_values: 25
  unreachable: 4
  caveats: 3
  note: 'Deepen pass on 2026-10-19 by an AI assistant. Kept the 11 existing properties and 3 existing sources. Added 14 base-resin properties from the SABIC ULTEM 1000 datasheet (US revision 20260625, read via curl and pdftotext), plus recipe (Wikipedia, PubChem), supply (SABIC datasheet, Ensinger), ageing (Ensinger, SABIC, Wikipedia), uses, hazards (PubChem), failure risks, handling and story sections. Elemental percentages in the recipe are computed from the formula C37H24O6N2 with standard atomic weights: C 75.0, H 4.1, O 16.2, N 4.7 percent by mass of the repeat unit. Monomer masses are from PubChem: BPADA C31H20O8 at 520.5 g/mol (CID 94483) and m-phenylenediamine C6H8N2 at 108.14 g/mol (CID 7935); by mass of the monomer charge, BPADA is 82.8 percent and mPDA 17.2 percent (computed). The NASA outgassing database did not return Ultem rows.'