Ultem 1000: specs and equivalent grades
SABIC unfilled, amorphous polyetherimide (PEI): Tg 217°C, inherently flame retardant, transparent amber, for high-heat injection molded and extruded parts. Published data, grades from other producers to ask about, and how to request a quote from one gaylord.
Request a QuoteThe short answer
Ultem 1000 is SABIC’s standard unfilled, amorphous polyetherimide (PEI), with a glass transition temperature of 217°C, inherent flame retardance and a transparent amber base color. Ultem stayed with SABIC’s Specialties business; it was not part of the 2026 sale that moved Lexan, Cycoloy and Valox to NexPoint Materials. Published melt flow is 9 g/10 min, measured at 337°C / 639°F, 6.6 kg, ASTM D1238, specific gravity is 1.27 (ASTM D792), and HDT is 201°C at 1.82 MPa (ASTM D648, 6.4 mm). Grades to ask about include Duron PEI 1000 and RTP 2100, both PEI from other companies, and Victrex PEEK 450G as a different, semi-crystalline polymer. They are not identical, so compare the data sheets and run a trial before switching.
Also written as: A distributor grade list shows related SABIC grades with suffixes, for example Ultem 1000E (enhanced mold release), 1000R (enhanced mold release, low warpage), 1000F and 1000EF (food contact), 1000P and 1000F3SP; these are separate grades, not color codes. Ultem 1010 is the higher-flow sister grade. Quote the full code and color from your drawing or bag label; suffixes change the grade.
Buying Ultem 1000: one gaylord to a railcar · supplier COA on every prime lot · ships from 22+ partner warehouse locations · a polymer chemist checks the grade code before we quote · we aim to quote within one to three business days
Have a part number or drawing callout?
Paste it as written. A polymer chemist will tell you which grade it calls for, suggest equivalents and quote it by email.
Ultem 1000 specs from the data sheet
Typical values from SABIC’s global data sheet for Ultem 1000 (SABIC PDF, revised June 2026, hosted by a distributor; sabic.com did not load for us). Typical values are not specifications; the lot COA shows what you actually receive. Values only compare at the same test method and condition.
| Property | Value | Test method or note |
|---|---|---|
| Producer (brand owner) | SABIC (Specialties business) | Not part of the 2026 NexPoint Materials sale |
| Polymer | Polyetherimide (PEI), unfilled, amorphous; transparent amber base color | |
| Process | Injection molding; the sheet also gives extrusion blow molding settings | |
| Melt flow | MFR 9 g/10 min (ASTM D1238); MVR 13 cm³/10 min (ISO 1133) | 337°C / 639°F, 6.6 kg (ASTM); 360°C / 680°F, 5.0 kg (ISO) |
| Density | 1.27 g/cm³ (ISO 1183); specific gravity 1.27 (ASTM D792) | |
| Mold shrinkage, flow and cross-flow, 3.2 mm | 0.5–0.7 % | SABIC method |
| Water absorption, 24 h / saturated, 23°C | 0.25 % / 1.25 % | ASTM D570 and ISO 62-1 |
| Tensile modulus | 3,200 MPa (ISO 527); 3,350 MPa (ASTM D638) | |
| Tensile stress at yield | 110 MPa (ISO 527); 115 MPa (ASTM D638, 50 mm/min) | |
| Tensile strain at break | 50 % (ISO 527); 60 % (ASTM D638) | |
| Flexural modulus / stress at yield | 3,300 MPa / 160 MPa (ISO 178) | |
| Notched Izod impact, 23°C | 53 J/m (ASTM D256); 6 kJ/m² (ISO 180/1A) | |
| Glass transition temperature | 217°C / 423°F | |
| HDT 1.82 MPa / 0.45 MPa, 6.4 mm, unannealed | 201°C / 394°F; 210°C / 410°F | ASTM D648 (ISO 75/Af flatwise: 192°C) |
| Vicat softening temperature | 211°C (B50) | ISO 306 and ASTM D1525 |
| Relative temperature index | 170°C electrical; 170°C mechanical with and without impact | UL 746B |
| Flammability | UL 94 V-0 at 0.75 mm and above; 5VA at 3 mm and above; V-2 at 0.4 mm | UL 94, as listed |
| Oxygen index | 47 % | ASTM D2863, ISO 4589 |
| Aerospace flame | FAR 25.853 compliant | As stated on the sheet |
| Dielectric strength, in oil | 33 kV/mm at 0.8 mm; 16 kV/mm at 3.2 mm | IEC 60243-1 |
| Drying | 150°C / 302°F for 4–6 h; max moisture 0.02 %; max cumulative 24 h | Producer processing data |
| Melt / mold temperature | 350–410°C (662–770°F) / 135–180°C (275–356°F) | Producer processing data |
| Food contact | Food-contact compliant versions are sold as separate grades (for example 1000F). Ask for SABIC’s regulatory letter for the exact grade and color. |
Source data sheets are listed at the bottom of this page. Confirm against the current sheet for your exact grade code and color.
Mold temperatures of 135–180°C usually need oil or high-temperature mold heaters rather than water; check your press and tool before planning a trial.
Grades to ask about instead of Ultem 1000
We did not find a published sheet from another PEI base-resin producer. The first two grades are PEI sold under other companies’ names (RTP Company is a compounder); their sheets do not say where the base resin comes from. The third is a different polymer that buyers look at when PEI is short. None is a drop-in replacement. If your part, drawing or customer approval names Ultem 1000, any change needs your approval and usually a trial.
| Grade | Producer | Melt flow | Density | Key property | How it compares |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Duron PEI 1000 | ProPolymers Inc. | 9.0 g/10 min (337°C / 639°F, 6.6 kg, ASTM D1238) | Specific gravity 1.27 (ASTM D792) | Tensile strength at yield 105 MPa (ASTM D638); flexural modulus 3,200 MPa (ASTM D790); HDT 202°C at 1.8 MPa (ASTM D648); Vicat 219°C (ASTM D1525) | Close on paper. General-purpose PEI with the same melt flow and specific gravity. The sheet copy shows no UL listing, RTI or food-contact statement, and does not name the base resin source; ask for the UL file and certifications before a trial. Quote this alternative › |
| RTP 2100 | RTP Company | Not published on the sheet copy | Specific gravity 1.27 (ASTM D792) | Tensile strength 109 MPa (ASTM D638); flexural modulus 3,310 MPa (ASTM D790); notched Izod 53 J/m (ASTM D256); HDT 200°C at 1.8 MPa (ASTM D648); V-0 at 1.5 mm per RTP Company testing | Partial match. Unfilled PEI from a compounder (RTP lists it as an unreinforced base resin offered for precolor only), with mechanical and heat values close to Ultem 1000. The flame rating is RTP’s own test result, not a UL listing, and shrinkage is listed at 0.80 %. Ask for a UL file if your drawing needs one. Quote this alternative › |
| Victrex PEEK 450G | Victrex | Melt viscosity 350 Pa·s at 400°C (ISO 11443); no MFR published | 1.30 g/cm³ (ISO 1183) | Tensile stress at yield 98 MPa (ISO 527); HDT 152°C at 1.8 MPa (ISO 75); Tg 143°C, melting point 343°C; RTI 260°C electrical (UL 746B) | Different polymer. Semi-crystalline PEEK with a higher continuous-use rating and stronger chemical resistance, but a lower HDT at 1.8 MPa and a different shrinkage, so the mold and part design usually change. Processing needs mold temperatures of 170–200°C. See PEEK vs. PEI. Quote this alternative › |
From each producer's published data. Brand owners and grade names change; confirm on the current data sheet.
Typical uses for Ultem 1000
SABIC’s data sheet lists these uses for Ultem 1000:
- Aerospace components (the sheet states FAR 25.853 compliance)
- Automotive under-the-hood parts
- Electrical and electronic parts and industrial electrical components
- Healthcare and surgical devices (grade dependent)
- Home and commercial appliances
- Building and water management parts
- Rail and mass transportation parts
What to check before you switch
- Owner check: Ultem is still a SABIC brand. Unlike Lexan, Cycoloy and Valox, it did not move to NexPoint Materials in the 2026 sale, so your paperwork should still come from SABIC.
- Pick the right 1000-series grade. Food-contact and enhanced-release versions (1000F, 1000E, 1000R and others) are separate grades. If your drawing says Ultem 1000, do not accept a suffix grade without approval, and the reverse.
- PEI from other sellers (Duron PEI 1000, RTP 2100) may not carry the same UL listing, RTI, FAR 25.853 statement or food-contact letters. Ask for each document by grade and color before a trial.
- PEEK is not a PEI substitute without redesign. It is semi-crystalline, shrinks differently, needs hotter tools, and lists a lower HDT at 1.8 MPa (152°C vs 192°C, both by ISO 75) even though its RTI is higher. See PEEK alternatives.
- PEI must be dry. The sheet asks for 150°C for 4–6 hours, 0.02 % maximum moisture and no more than 24 hours cumulative drying. See our resin drying guide.
- Compare melt flow, density and impact only at the same test condition and method (ASTM vs. ISO results differ).
- Run a trial lot and check shrinkage, cycle time, stress cracking and appearance before you switch production.
Buying Ultem 1000: price, lead time and lot size
- Lot size. From one gaylord to a railcar. See gaylord, LTL and truckload for typical weights per box.
- Where it ships from. 22+ partner warehouse locations. Material already in a partner warehouse usually moves sooner than a grade that has to come from the producer; your quote says which applies.
- Price. We do not publish prices because they move with feedstock, freight and order size. What moves your price most: lot size, color, ship-to region, and whether you need Ultem 1000 itself or can accept a matched alternative. See how resin is priced and the monthly market update.
- Paperwork. Supplier COA on every prime lot (what a COA shows). Ask for the producer’s regulatory letter or UL file if your part needs them.
- Trying an alternative? Start with one gaylord as a trial lot, molded and checked before you commit a full release.
- If Ultem 1000 itself is not available. Some branded grades are sold only through the producer’s own channels or go on allocation. If we cannot source it, we tell you, then quote a matched alternative with a side-by-side comparison.
Send the grade code, your annual volume and ship-to location. A polymer chemist checks it before we quote; we have been in the resin business for 30+ years. For several grades at once, use the resin RFQ template.
Trade names belong to their owners. ResinBridge is not affiliated with these producers; grade names are used only to identify the material. Data reflects published sheets as of October 2026.
Sources
- SABIC ULTEM 1000 global technical data sheet, June 2026 (PDF, distributor-hosted)
- ULTEM PEI grade list (distributor page)
- SABIC Specialties business page
- ProPolymers Duron PEI 1000 data sheet (distributor copy)
- RTP Company 2100 series (PEI) product listing
- RTP Company RTP 2100 data sheet (distributor copy)
- Victrex PEEK 450G data sheet (PDF)
Common questions
What is Ultem 1000?
Ultem 1000 is SABIC’s standard unfilled, amorphous polyetherimide (PEI). It has a glass transition temperature of 217°C, is inherently flame retardant and has a transparent amber base color. It is still a SABIC brand.
What is the melt flow of Ultem 1000?
9 g/10 min at 337°C / 639°F, 6.6 kg (ASTM D1238), and MVR 13 cm³/10 min at 360°C, 5.0 kg (ISO 1133).
What is the heat deflection temperature of Ultem 1000?
201°C at 1.82 MPa and 210°C at 0.45 MPa (ASTM D648, 6.4 mm, unannealed). The glass transition temperature is 217°C.
What is equivalent to Ultem 1000?
PEI from other companies to ask about includes Duron PEI 1000 and RTP 2100; Victrex PEEK 450G is a different polymer that sometimes replaces PEI after redesign. None is identical; compare data sheets and run a trial, and get approval if your part names Ultem 1000.
Can ResinBridge supply Ultem 1000?
We quote Ultem 1000 when our supply partners can source it. If they cannot, we say so up front and quote a matched alternative, named on the quote with its data sheet, so you can decide whether to trial it.
If your grade is not listed, tell us what you run. We source commodity, engineering and specialty resins.
Need Ultem 1000 or an equivalent?
A polymer chemist reviews every request, then matches your grade or finds a matched alternative and prices it.
What to send for an accurate quote
- The grade name, from any supplier, or a data sheet
- Color (natural, black or a custom match)
- Fill type and percentage, if any
- Melt flow, if you know it
- Quantity for this order and what you use in a year
- Ship-to city and state or province
Quote Ultem 1000 or a matched alternative
A polymer chemist checks the data sheet and tells you exactly what you would get before you order.
Request a QuoteNot sure which grade fits your part?
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