Polyetherimide

Not to be confused with Polyethylenimine, also known as PEI.

Polyetherimide (PEI; branded as Ultem^[2]) 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.^[3]

Polyetherimide

Names
IUPAC name 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
Other names PEI, Ultem
Identifiers
CAS Number	61128-46-9 Y
3D model (JSmol)	Interactive image
ChemSpider	151672 Y
ECHA InfoCard	100.126.800
PubChem CID	505862236
CompTox Dashboard (EPA)	DTXSID90976644
SMILES CC(C)(c1ccc(Oc2ccc3c(c2)C(=O)OC3=O)cc1)c1ccc(Oc2ccc3c(c2)C(=O)OC3=O)cc1.Nc1cccc(N)c1
Properties
Chemical formula	(C37H24O6N2)n
Molar mass	Variable
Appearance	Amber-to-transparent solid
Density	1.27 g/cm3
Except where otherwise noted, data are given for materials in their standard state (at 25 °C [77 °F], 100 kPa). N verify (what is YN ?) Infobox references

Polyetherimide
Physical properties
Density (ρ)	1.27 g/cc
Water absorption—over 24 hours	0.25%
Mechanical properties
Tensile strength (σt)	115 MPa
Elongation (ε) at break	60-80%
Izod impact strength	25-60 J/m
Thermal properties
Glass transition temperature (Tg)	215 C
Heat deflection temperature at 0.46 MPa / 66 psi	210 C
Vicat softening point	220 C
Upper working temperature	375 C
Lower working temperature	365 C
Data via Sastri et al., 2014.[1]

PEI powder-coated build plate on a Bambu Lab A1 mini FFF 3D printer

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.^[4][5]

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 C₃₇H₂₄O₆N₂ and the molecular weight is 592.61 g/mol.^[6] 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.^[7]

Production

PEIs are manufactured by the imidization reaction of a flexible dianhydride and m-Phenylenediamine.^[8][9]