SABIC’s ULTEM™ Portfolio Expanded
With colorable, high-flow, reinforced grades for connectors and other thin-wall components, SABIC broadens the ULTEMTM product line.
ULTEMTM resin portfolio with new glass fiber-reinforced grades that deliver high flow, custom colorability, and high strength, and are well suited for thin-wall components like fiber optic and electrical connectors, according to SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry.
The exceptional flow properties of the new low-viscosity ULTEM 2120, 2220, and 2320 resins enable designers to produce complex geometries, miniaturized, high-precision components. The high flow capabilities of these materials give molders the freedom to use shorter injection strokes or to mold thinner walls at the same pressure.
These new grades maintain the existing color range of existing ULTEM 2X10/2X00 resins, in contrast to other high-flow glass-reinforced ULTEM materials, and can be custom colored for connector identification and product branding. The higher mechanical strength of the ULTEM 2X20 grades allows for the production of parts that are more reliable and durable when compared to competing polysulfones.
To advance sustainability, the new ULTEM resins are available as ISCC PLUS certified renewable versions. In addition, they do not contain per- and polyfluorinated substances (PFAS) intentionally added during the SABIC manufacturing process and are not expected to contain unintentional PFAS impurities.
“We developed these new ULTEM resins to meet evolving requirements for exceptionally small and intricate connectors and other components,” said Paul Nugent, senior business manager, ULTEM Americas, SABIC. “The new grades address customer needs for greater design and aesthetic freedom, increased processing flexibility and cost-effectiveness, and reliable performance.
We’re confident that these specialty materials can add value across multiple industries, from fiber optic communications to consumer electronics, helping to address rapid technological advances in connectivity and data management.”
High Flow to Improve Production and Design
The ULTEM 2120, 2220, and 2320 resins exhibit low viscosity even at glass fiber loadings of 10, 20, and 30%, respectively. This allows for compact designs with thin walls that increase the amount of space inside or around the part. These materials exhibit higher spiral flow properties of up to 36% when compared to existing ULTEM resins with enhanced flow.
In addition, high flow can reduce processing time and production cost. By delivering potential reductions in injection pressure of up to 35 percent, the ULTEM resins can help customers overcome molding equipment limitations. Improved flow can also permit processing temperature reductions that may cut energy costs and shorten cooling times up to 10 percent for faster throughput. Finally, high flow helps to mitigate issues such as premature solidification of the resin (freeze off) and visual defects.
Colorability for Identification and Differentiation
The ULTEM 2X20 resins can be custom colored to improve the look and brand identity of components or to provide crucial identification of the type and speed of electrical and fiber optic connectors. SABIC's ColorXpress Services can create and precisely match colors and effects, and they also give customers access to an online color library with thousands of different hues.
New Additions to SABIC’s High-heat Materials
Like all ULTEM resins, which are amorphous polyetherimide (PEI) materials, the new high-flow, colorable grades feature an excellent balance of high-performance properties. These include long-term high-heat resistance, inherent flame retardance, and chemical, dimensional and hydrolytic stability.
SABIC’s extensive portfolio of high-heat materials include ULTEM, EXTEM™ and SILTEM™ resins.
View the new SABIC ULTEM 2x20 resins brochure for more details, or perform a search on each grade on the Material Finder website created by the company's Specialties business.
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