Ultem Plastic Machining & Fabrication

What is Ultem plastic? 

Ultem® (polyetherimide) is a semi-transparent, high-strength plastic material that is perfect for high-temperature uses. Ultem® is resistant to damage from hot water and steam and can withstand outdoor use. FDA compliant grades of Ultem® are available.

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

What applications can you use Ultem plastic for?

Common uses include:

• Analytical Instrumentation
• Dielectric Properties
• Electrical Insulators
• Reusable Medical Devices
• Semiconductor Process Components
• Structural Components
• Underwater Connector Bodies
• Disposable and Re-usable Medical Devices

Pros of Ultem plastic

Common benefits of using Ultem include:

• can be painted or finished in different textures
• heat resistant
• high impact resistance
• chemical resistant
• hydrolytically stable

Cons of Ultem plastic

Common downsides of using Ultem include:

• can be slightly expensive
• can be prone to environmental stress cracking
• poor resistance to alkali salts

Is Ultem better than other materials?

Ultem® 1000– The 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.

What industries is Ultem plastic used in?

Ultem is used in the following fields:

• automotive
• aerospace and defense
• electrical and electronic market
• medical and life sciences
• industrial applications and appliances

Ultem® is often used for medical instrument components, scientific and semiconductor equipment components, chip test sockets, and more. It is easy to machine and fabricate. Ultem® is available in unfilled, glass-filled, and FDA-compliant grades.

What is Ultem good for?

Ultem has been widely used in the production of:

• sunglasses
• airplane parts
• circuit boards

Work with us

Ultem can easily be fabricated to suit your business’s needs. Contact HP Manufacturing for more information.