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Thermoplastic · High-performance

Expert

PEI / ULTEM

Polyetherimide · ULTEM 1010 · ULTEM 9085

Aerospace-grade, flame-retardant, and stable past 170°C. Needs an industrial high-temp printer.

Print temperatures

Nozzle 350390 °C Bed 140–160 °C

PEI/ULTEM is an aerospace-grade engineering plastic — flame-retardant, low-smoke, strong at high temperature (glass transition ~186 °C) — used in aircraft interiors, medical, and electronics. ULTEM 9085 is certified for aircraft cabin parts.

In FDM it's a high-end material requiring an industrial high-temp printer: very high nozzle temps, a heated chamber, and a hardened all-metal hotend.

Strengths & trade-offs

  • Exceptional heat resistance (continuous ~170 °C+)
  • Flame-retardant and very low smoke (aerospace-certified)
  • High strength and stiffness
  • Chemical and hydrolytic stability
  • Excellent dimensional stability
  • Requires an industrial high-temp printer with heated chamber
  • Very expensive
  • Hygroscopic — must dry
  • Demanding bed adhesion
  • Not for hobby printers

Best for

Aerospace cabin partsHigh-heat functional partsElectrical / electronic componentsSterilizable medical partsDemanding industrial end-use

Did you know

  • ULTEM 9085 is certified for aircraft interior parts — its low smoke and flame retardancy meet aviation safety standards.
  • SABIC has been the sole producer of ULTEM since buying GE Plastics in 2007.
  • PEI's glass transition is ~186 °C — hotter than most filaments even melt.