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PEI
Key Characteristics of PEI
PEI (Polyetherimide) is a high-performance thermoplastic known for its strength, heat resistance, and flame retardancy.
It is produced from amorphous polyetherimide resin, resulting in a material that offers excellent electrical insulation and dimensional stability under long-term thermal stress.
PEI maintains mechanical integrity at continuous-use temperatures up to 170°C (340°F) and exhibits inherent flame resistance without the need for additives.
This material also resists creep, hydrolysis, and many chemicals, making it suitable for both dry and humid environments. It machines easily and is often used for insulating parts, housings, and structural components in aerospace, automotive, medical, and electrical applications.
PEI provides a robust, reliable solution for industries requiring high-performance thermoplastics with excellent thermal and mechanical properties.
How PEI is Used
Electrical Insulators: PEI’s high dielectric strength makes it ideal for insulating components in electrical and electronic devices.
Aerospace Interiors: Its flame resistance and lightweight strength suit panels and housings in aircraft interiors.
Automotive Components: PEI’s thermal stability supports use in under-hood connectors and sensor housings.
Medical Equipment: Its sterilization compatibility makes it suitable for reusable medical and laboratory devices.
Industrial Housings: PEI’s rigidity and heat resistance make it effective for protective covers and structural parts.
Technical Details for PEI
PEI offers excellent strength and rigidity, maintaining its properties up to high temperatures. It’s not quite as tough as PEEK, but it’s much stiffer than Acrylic and offers higher impact resistance and dimensional stability than most engineering plastics. PEI has one of the highest Tg values of any amorphous thermoplastic. It retains mechanical strength and stiffness at elevated temperatures where most other thermoplastics soften.
Tensile Strength: ~105–110 MPa (unfilled)
Flexural Strength: ~160 MPa
Tensile Modulus (Elastic Modulus): ~3.2–3.4 GPa
Elongation at Break: ~30–60% (varies with grade and filler)
Impact Strength (Notched Izod): ~6–8 kJ/m²
Melting Point: Amorphous (no true melting point)
Glass Transition Temperature (Tg): ~217°C (423°F)
Continuous Use Temperature: ~170–180°C (338–356°F)
Thermal Conductivity: ~0.22 W/m·K
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion: ~55 × 10⁻⁶ /°C