Materials · High-performance plastics
Ultem machining
Custom Ultem (PEI) parts CNC machined to your drawing or sample: insulators, standoffs, housings, manifolds and more, in Ultem 1000 and 2300. Machined in our Aurora, Illinois shop.
Ultem at a glance
- Full name
- Polyetherimide (PEI)
- Also called
- PEI, Duratron® PEI, TECAPEI®
- Known for
- High heat resistance, strength and electrical insulation
- Common in
- Medical, electrical and semiconductor equipment
- Grades
- Ultem 1000 (unfilled), Ultem 2300 (glass-filled)
Parts in Ultem
Ultem parts we machine
The parts we see most often in Ultem, and why it suits each job. We machine any Ultem part to your drawing or sample, listed here or not.
- Insulators photo
Insulators
Insulators that keep their strength near hot equipment.
- Insulating rings photo
Insulating rings
Rings that isolate flanges and joints electrically.
- Standoffs photo
Standoffs
Nonconductive standoffs that hold height under clamp load.
- Spacers photo
Spacers
Spacers that stay true to length without creeping.
- Washers photo
Washers
Insulating washers that resist creep under bolt load.
- Brackets photo
Brackets
Stiff brackets that hold components in place near heat.
- Housings photo
Housings
Flame-resistant housings for electrical and electronic equipment.
- Manifolds photo
Manifolds
Translucent manifolds for medical and lab equipment.
- Insulating bushings photo
Insulating bushings
Bushings that insulate shafts and fasteners from the frame.
Need a different Ultem part? Send the drawing, or the old part, and we’ll quote it. Request a quote
Is Ultem right for the part?
Where Ultem works, and where another plastic may suit
General guidance on how Ultem behaves. If your drawing specifies an Ultem grade, we machine to it.
Where it works
- Heat
- Keeps its strength and stiffness at high temperatures.
- Insulation
- A strong electrical insulator, even as temperatures rise.
- Fire
- Resists burning, with low smoke.
- Steam
- Withstands hot water and repeated steam sterilization.
- Stability
- Low creep and very little water uptake, so it holds its size.
- Cost
- Costs less than PEEK for many high-heat parts.
Where another plastic may suit
| If the part needs | Often used instead |
|---|---|
| Strong solvents or alkalis Some solvents and strong alkalis attack Ultem. These resist far more chemicals. | |
| Sliding and wear parts Unfilled Ultem wears quickly in sliding contact. These run well against other surfaces. | |
| The highest temperatures PEEK keeps its strength at higher temperatures than Ultem. | |
| Repeated impact Ultem is stiff and can crack under repeated knocks. These are tougher. | |
| Parts that don’t run hot At normal temperatures, these machine well for much less. |
Grades
Ultem grades
Ultem comes unfilled (Ultem 1000) and glass-filled (Ultem 2300), with medical and food-contact grades. Name the grade on your drawing, or tell us how the part runs and we’ll suggest one.
| Grade | Typically used for |
|---|---|
| Ultem 1000 | Unfilled, translucent amber. Most Ultem parts. |
| Ultem 2300 | Glass-filled, for stiffer, more stable structural parts. |
| Medical grades | Medical device parts. Compliance comes with the grade’s supplier documentation. |
| Food-contact grades | Food processing parts. Compliance comes with the grade’s supplier documentation. |
Buyer questions
Ultem FAQs
Something else? Call (630) 904-2525.
All plastics we machineYes. Ultem® is a brand name for polyetherimide (PEI). If your drawing says Ultem or PEI, we machine the part to that grade. CDS isn’t affiliated with the trademark owner.
Ultem 1000 is unfilled and translucent amber. Ultem 2300 is glass-filled, which makes it stiffer and more stable in size. We machine whichever grade your drawing names.
Ultem is widely used for parts that are steam sterilized again and again. For medical parts, compliance comes with the specific grade and its supplier documentation.
Yes. We supply Ultem sheet and rod, cut to size when you need it, through our material supply service.