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 fibre optic and electrical connectors, according to SABIC, a global leader in the chemical industry. The remarkable flow properties of the new low-viscosity ULTEM 2120, 2220, and 2320 resins enable designers to produce complicated geometries, miniaturised, high-precision components. The high flow characteristics of these materials provide moulders the freedom to use shorter injection strokes or to mould thinner walls at the same pressure. These new grades maintain the existing colour range of existing ULTEM 2X10/2X00 resins and can be custom coloured for connection identification, in contrast to other high-flow glass-reinforced ULTEM materials. and branding for products. The enhanced mechanical strength of the ULTEM 2X20 grades allows for the production of products that are more reliable and durable when compared to competing polysulfones.
The new ULTEM resins are offered in ISCC PLUS certified renewable versions to promote sustainability. Additionally, they are not anticipated to include inadvertent PFAS impurities because they don’t contain any per- and polyfluorinated compounds (PFAS) that were purposefully introduced during the SABIC production process.
According to Paul Nugent, senior business manager, ULTEM Americas, SABIC, “We developed these new ULTEM resins to meet evolving requirements for exceptionally small and intricate connectors and other components.” The new grades “meet client expectations for increased processing flexibility and cost effectiveness, as well as for reliable performance. We’re certain that these specialised materials can increase value in a number ofsectors, ranging from consumer electronics to fibre optic communications, are assisting in addressing the quickening pace of technical development in connectivity and data management.
High Flow to Improve Production and Design
The ULTEM 2120, 2220, and 2320 resins demonstrate low viscosity even at glass fibre 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 qualities of up to 36% as compared to existing ULTEM resins with enhanced flow.
High flow can also cut down on production costs and processing times. The ULTEM resins can assist clients in getting beyond the constraints of their moulding equipment by offering potential injection pressure reductions of up to 35 percent. Reductions in processing temperature may be made possible through improved flow. Reduce energy expenditures and up to 10% shorter cooling times for higher throughput. Finally, high flow reduces problems like premature resin solidification (freeze off) and aesthetic flaws.
Identification and Differentiation Using Colour
The ULTEM 2X20 resins can be custom coloured to improve the look and brand identity of components or to offer crucial identification of the kind and speed of electrical and fibre optic connectors. SABIC’s ColorXpress Services can create and precisely match colours and effects, and they also give customers access to an online colour library with hundreds of different hues.
High-heat Materials from SABIC Have Been Expanded
The new high-flow, colorable grades of ULTEM resins, which are all amorphous polyetherimide (PEI) compounds, have a superb balance of high-performance characteristics. These consist oflong-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.
