PEI CF Ultem 1010 pellets

PEI CF is considered an advanced engineering thermoplastic containing ether linkages and imide groups in its polymer chain, blended with carbon fibre. The carbon fibre is a pseudo-amorphous material that gives PEI a lower melting point, slower crystallisation and keeps the crystallisation temperature high. This bonding also enhances structural stability, improving mechanical and printing properties. This is why PEI CF has earned a place among the two most powerful and easy-to-use materials in FDM/FFF 3D printing. Furthermore, this material competes on a general level with the most commonly used thermoplastics in the engineering industry (polysulphones, polyphenylene sulphides and polyketones).

The PEI CF Ultem 1010 pellets bt Nanovia have all the qualities that an advanced material requires. The thermal resistance is one of the highest in the market, having a Vicat softening temperature (A50) of over 215ºC and a maximum constant working temperature at a pressure of 0.45MPa of over 200ºC. The main advantage, with respect to other materials, is that at these temperatures the mechanical properties hardly vary. This is because its high dimensional stability, enhanced by the carbon fibre, maintains the structural shape even at higher temperatures, something unthinkable with most existing materials in FDM/FFF 3D printing. These qualities are used to make short cycle injection moulding tools, carbon fibre laminating tools and other types of moulds that are subjected to high pressure and temperature values (Autoclave). Within this type of high-strength moulds are those used for the vulcanisation process of plastics, such as rubber. Thanks to PEI CF Ultem 1010, moulds can be made more quickly, easily and cheaply than current steel moulds.

Another remarkable quality is the chemical resistance of this material to a large list of fluids: halogen hydrocarbons (benzene), automotive fluids (coolant), alcohol and aqueous solutions (sea water). This quality, together with its low density (1.26 g/cm3) and the fact that it is a flame retardant material, makes PEI CF Ultem 1010 a very common material for making final parts of engine parts in the aeronautical and automotive field through which liquids, oils and gases pass.

Image 1: Application in combustion engines with PEI CF Ultem 1010. Source: Nanovia

When manufacturing engineering parts, it is very important that they do not interfere with or cause shunts of electrical currents. PEI with carbon fibre has a high dielectric stability (resistance of an electrically insulating material to become conductive) and can be used to manufacture insulating parts for electronic circuits or housings for electrical sockets. In particular, the application of this material in electronic circuits is ideal to ensure operation, as PEI CF Ultem 1010 is a material with a high heat and frequency dissipation capacity. In terms of mechanical properties, PEI CF Ultem 1010 stands out for its high strength values in all areas. 

PEI CF Ultem 1010 pellets do not incorporate recycled or reclaimed material. Thanks to these qualities, PEI CF Ultem 1010 pellets are perfect for 3D printing, achieving high print quality. There are several methods for using pellets in 3D printing:

• PEI CF Ultem 1010 pellets can be used in the manufacture of filament for FDM 3D printers using Filastruder or any other filament extruder.
• It is possible to use a pellet extruder for 3D printing directly.

With the combination of PEI CF Ultem 1010 pellets and a good filament extruder such as Filastruder, it is possible to obtain 3D printing filament with qualities similar to those of a commercial PEI CF Ultem 1010 filament such as Nanovia's PEI CF Ultem 1010 filament. 

When using PEI CF Ultem 1010 Pellets to make filament with a filament extruder such as Filastruder or using a pellet extruder for direct 3D printing, it should be noted that the extrusion temperature must be regulated in relation to the extrusion speed used. For optimal results, it is recommended to read the product's usage tips.