PEI (also polyetherimide) belongs to the group of polyimides. It permanently withstands high temperatures, is particularly strong and has a high resistance to corrosive and acidic solutions. Due to its versatile properties and high resistance, which can be further enhanced with the use of glass fiber, this high-performance plastic finds its applications in a wide variety of industries. These include aerospace, medical and electrical engineering. In the following, we will explain the properties and processing methods of polyetherimide in more detail.
What are the special properties of polyetherimide?
In its conventional form, PEI is transparent and has a golden-yellow hue that can be color-matched as needed. It has a high continuous service temperature of 170 degrees Celsius with extremely high creep resistance. The properties are rounded off by excellent dimensional stability as well as hydrolysis resistance. Thanks to its high resistance to a wide range of acidic and corrosive chemicals, polyetherimide has a broad range of applications. The high-performance plastic can even be provided with glass fibers from the inside, making the material even more stable and dimensionally stable.
What is PEI often used for?
The high-performance plastic PEI is used in various forms and areas due to its multiple and resistant properties. For example, its non-conductive properties are used in electrical engineering in the form of terminals, distributors, fuses, coils and insulators. In medical technology, polyetherimide is used in surgical probes or for components in X-ray equipment.
Its robust properties, as well as its high heat resistance and low smoke emission, benefit aerospace engineering in the construction of antennas and aircraft interiors. Since PEI can even be individually modified in its absorption or resistance to water, it is also used in the form of membranes. Furthermore, PEI is used to produce precision turned parts for industry.
How does Dr. Müller GmbH in Ahlhorn process polyetherimide?
Dr. Müller GmbH in Ahlhorn is a globally operating company whose products can be found in a wide variety of industries. Under the brand name Ultem, the company processes the high-performance plastic polyetherimide into CNC-milled parts, CNC-turned parts and 3D printing beds, among other things. In addition, Dr. Dietrich Müller GmbH uses it to produce technical films that are, among other things, the basic material for heat-conducting films in the electrical industry. Since these films naturally have all the outstanding properties of PEI, they are suitable for many other applications.
Custom-made products can be ordered as well as series production or the production of very small batches. The advantage of using polyetherimide is the ability to customize the material for the specific application. Due to its affordable price and countless possible applications, the high-performance plastic PEI is one of the most widely used thermoplastics.
The material PEI in the future
Due to its diverse and modifiable properties, the material polyetherimide has many future-oriented perspectives. In the field of medicine, PEI can be used in the manufacture of implants and prostheses. Its high resistance to heat could soon lead to new products for the kitchen sector.
Furthermore, polyetherimide is ideally suited for the production of individual components for machines or even comp