polyetherimide
{{Not to be confused with|Polyethylenimine|text=Polyethylenimine, also known as PEI}}{{More citations needed|date=September 2014}}
{{Chembox
| Verifiedfields = changed
| verifiedrevid = 399329937
| ImageFile = Polyetherimid.svg
| ImageSize = 255px
| IUPACName = benzene-1,3-diamine; 5-[4-[2-[4-[(1,3-dioxo-2-benzofuran-5-yl)oxy]phenyl]propan-2-yl]phenoxy]-2-benzofuran-1,3-dione
| OtherNames = PEI, Ultem
|Section1={{Chembox Identifiers
| CASNo_Ref = {{cascite|correct|CAS}}
| CASNo = 61128-46-9
| PubChem = 505862236
| ChemSpiderID_Ref = {{chemspidercite|correct|chemspider}}
| ChemSpiderID = 151672
| SMILES = CC(C)(c1ccc(Oc2ccc3c(c2)C(=O)OC3=O)cc1)c1ccc(Oc2ccc3c(c2)C(=O)OC3=O)cc1.Nc1cccc(N)c1 }}
|Section2={{Chembox Properties
| Formula = (C37H24O6N2)n
| MolarMass = Variable
| Appearance = Amber-to-transparent solid
| Density = 1.27 g/cm3
| MeltingPt =
| BoilingPt =
| Solubility = }}
|Section3={{Chembox Hazards
| MainHazards =
| FlashPt =
| AutoignitionPt = }}
}}
{{Infobox material
| name = Polyetherimide
| density = 1.27 g/cc
| water_absorption_24h = 0.25%
| glass_transition = 215 C
| heat_deflection_temp = 210 C
| heat_deflection_temp_note = at 0.46 MPa / 66 psi
| vicat = 220 C
| tensile_strength = 115 MPa
| elongation = 60-80%
| izod_impact_strength = 25-60 J/m
| upper_working_temp = 375 C
| lower_working_temp = 365 C
}}
File:DG 東莞 DongGuan 南城區 Nancheng 鴻福路 HongFu Road 東莞京東商場 JD Mall Electronics Showroom 3D printers December 2024 R12S 06 (cropped).jpg build plate on a Bambu Lab A1 mini FFF 3D printer]]
Polyetherimide (PEI; branded as Ultem{{cite web |title=Ultem |url=https://www.curbellplastics.com/materials/plastics/ultem/ |publisher=Curbell Plastics |access-date=2 November 2023}}) is an amorphous, amber-to-transparent thermoplastic with characteristics similar to the related plastic PEEK. When comparing PEI to PEEK, the former is cheaper but has lower impact strength and a tighter temperature range.http://www.mcmaster.com/#ultem/=otzvqt Referenced Oct 7, 2013
PEI plastics were first introduced into the market by General Electric (GE) in 1982 under the trade name Ultem resulting from the work of J.G. Wirth's research team in the early 1970s.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thomasnet.com/insights/what-is-polyetherimide-pei-/|title=What Is Polyetherimide (PEI)?|language=en-US|access-date=2024-10-15}}{{Citation |last=Melton |first=George H. |title=2 - Engineering Thermoplastics |date=2011-01-01 |work=Applied Plastics Engineering Handbook |page=15 |editor-last=Kutz |editor-first=Myer |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/B9781437735147100029 |access-date=2025-05-05 |series=Plastics Design Library |place=Oxford |publisher=William Andrew Publishing |doi=10.1016/b978-1-4377-3514-7.10002-9 |isbn=978-1-4377-3514-7 |last2=Peters |first2=Edward N. |last3=Arisman |first3=Ruth K. |quote=Polyetherimide (PEI) was formally announced by GE in 1982. This amorphous polymer with the Ultem trade name resulted from the research work of a team headed by J.G. Wirth in the early 1970s.}}
Due to its adhesive properties and chemical stability it became a popular bed material for FFF 3D printers.
Structure
The molecular formula of the PEI repeating unit is {{chem2|auto=1|C37H24O6N2}} and the molecular weight is 592.61 g/mol.{{Cite web|url=http://www.polymerprocessing.com/polymers/PEI.html|title=polyetherimide information and properties|last=Scott|first=Chris|website=www.polymerprocessing.com|language=en|access-date=2018-04-30}} It contains phthalimide and bisphenol A sub-units.
Properties
The glass transition temperature of PEI is 217 °C (422 °F). Its amorphous density at 25 °C is 1.27 g/cm3(.046 lb/in³). It is prone to stress cracking in chlorinated solvents. Polyetherimide is able to resist high temperatures while maintaining stable electrical properties over a wide range of frequencies. This high strength material offers excellent chemical resistance and ductile properties suitable for various applications, even those involving steam exposure.{{Cite web|url=http://www.abtecinc.com/production/materials/|title=Injection Molding Material Selection Guide|website=www.abtecinc.com|language=en-US|access-date=2018-04-30}}
Production
PEIs are manufactured by the imidization reaction of a flexible dianhydride and m-Phenylenediamine.{{Citation |last=Sastri |first=Vinny R. |title=8 - High-Temperature Engineering Thermoplastics: Polysulfones, Polyimides, Polysulfides, Polyketones, Liquid Crystalline Polymers, and Fluoropolymers |date=2014-01-01 |work=Plastics in Medical Devices (Second Edition) |page=182 |editor-last=Sastri |editor-first=Vinny R. |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/B9781455732012000082 |access-date=2025-05-05 |place=Oxford |publisher=William Andrew Publishing |doi=10.1016/b978-1-4557-3201-2.00008-2 |isbn=978-1-4557-3201-2 |quote=Polyetherimides (PEIs) are manufactured by the reaction of a flexible anhydride and 1,3-diamino benzene. The anhydride is based on bisphenol A and has both ether and isopropylidene links. It is these two flexible links that provide the flexibility and melt processability to PEI compared to its wholly aromatic analogs.}}{{Citation |last=Melton |first=George H. |title=2 - Engineering Thermoplastics |date=2011-01-01 |work=Applied Plastics Engineering Handbook |page=15 |editor-last=Kutz |editor-first=Myer |url=https://linkinghub.elsevier.com/retrieve/pii/B9781437735147100029 |access-date=2025-05-05 |series=Plastics Design Library |place=Oxford |publisher=William Andrew Publishing |doi=10.1016/b978-1-4377-3514-7.10002-9 |isbn=978-1-4377-3514-7 |last2=Peters |first2=Edward N. |last3=Arisman |first3=Ruth K. |quote=The early laboratory process involved a costly and difficult synthesis. Further development resulted in a number of breakthroughs that led to a simplified, cost-effective production process. The final step of the process involves the imidization of a diacid anhydride with m-phenylene diamine}}