Properties of Ultem
Robin Brain
November 22, 2008
Ultem is a high performance thermoplastic that is marketed by GE Plastics. The material is well known for its high tensile strength and staying rigid even at very high temperatures. Also the polymer is heat resistant, in spite of its age. The material is dimensionally stable and has excellent electrical properties. It also is resistant to chemicals and is injection moldable. It carries with itself an inherent flame resistance and without any additives, it produces less smoke. Pure ultem is transparent in colour.
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
Ultem is capable to resisting many acids and chemicals. This includes hydrocarbons, alcohol and some solvents. It can even resist mineral acids and can tolerate some bases too, for a short period of time.
HYDOLYTIC STABILITY
Ultem has excellent hydrolytic stability. It is actually gable to tolerate up to 85 % even after being put to 10,000 hrs in boiling water.
RADIATION RESISTANCE
Ultem is also resistant to harmful ultraviolet and gamma rays. It is proved by 94% retention of tensile strength after treating it with 500 megarads of cobalt radiation.
HEAT RESISTANCE
World renowned laboratories have shown that ultem can be put to continuous use at the temperatures of about 338-356°F. Its oxygen level is rated to be at 47%. It is used in the interiors of aircrafts and all the requirements are met so that it complies with FAA flammability. Its glass transition temperature is near about 419°F. Any temperature exceeding it allows intermittent use. The tensile strength of ultem increases greatly when it is subjected to a temperature of 356°F. At much more higher temperatures, carbon fiber reinforcements can still increase the stiffness and power of this material. Irrespective of its age, ultem is creep resistant at elevated temperatures and its stress level at that temperature makes it preferable over any other material in many structural applications.
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
The electrical properties are very good and the material remains stable even if the temperature is varying and the humidity is also out of control.
OTHER PROPERTIES
Ultem also bears a low dissipation factor that makes it perfectly transparent to microwaves. It also contains low levels of ionic contaminants. This property makes ultem suitable to be used as an insulating material and is used in places where sensitive electric elements are used.
The applications of ultem are aplenty. It is used in transportation, Electrical Appliances, Medical tools, packaging, airplane components and has many industrial uses too.
CHEMICAL RESISTANCE
Ultem is capable to resisting many acids and chemicals. This includes hydrocarbons, alcohol and some solvents. It can even resist mineral acids and can tolerate some bases too, for a short period of time.
HYDOLYTIC STABILITY
Ultem has excellent hydrolytic stability. It is actually gable to tolerate up to 85 % even after being put to 10,000 hrs in boiling water.
RADIATION RESISTANCE
Ultem is also resistant to harmful ultraviolet and gamma rays. It is proved by 94% retention of tensile strength after treating it with 500 megarads of cobalt radiation.
HEAT RESISTANCE
World renowned laboratories have shown that ultem can be put to continuous use at the temperatures of about 338-356°F. Its oxygen level is rated to be at 47%. It is used in the interiors of aircrafts and all the requirements are met so that it complies with FAA flammability. Its glass transition temperature is near about 419°F. Any temperature exceeding it allows intermittent use. The tensile strength of ultem increases greatly when it is subjected to a temperature of 356°F. At much more higher temperatures, carbon fiber reinforcements can still increase the stiffness and power of this material. Irrespective of its age, ultem is creep resistant at elevated temperatures and its stress level at that temperature makes it preferable over any other material in many structural applications.
ELECTRICAL PROPERTIES
The electrical properties are very good and the material remains stable even if the temperature is varying and the humidity is also out of control.
OTHER PROPERTIES
Ultem also bears a low dissipation factor that makes it perfectly transparent to microwaves. It also contains low levels of ionic contaminants. This property makes ultem suitable to be used as an insulating material and is used in places where sensitive electric elements are used.
The applications of ultem are aplenty. It is used in transportation, Electrical Appliances, Medical tools, packaging, airplane components and has many industrial uses too.
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