PEEK GF30 vs PEI (Ultem): 0% composition overlap. Significantly different materials serving different application areas.
PEEK GF30 vs PEI (Ultem)
Side-by-side chemical composition and mechanical property comparison.
Overview
PEEK GF30
PEEK with 30% short glass fiber reinforcement. Dramatically increased stiffness (E-Mod 11 GPa vs 4.1 unfilled) and strength (UTS 160 vs 100 MPa) with reduced elongation and creep. Maintains PEEK's chemical resistance and high-temp capability (continuous 250°C). Trade names: Victrex 450GL30, TECAPEEK GF30 (Ensinger), KetaSpire GF30 (Solvay). Used for structural brackets, pump housings, valve seats, bearing cages, and semiconductor wafer handling where higher stiffness than unfilled PEEK is needed.
PEI (Ultem)
Polyetherimide — high-performance amorphous thermoplastic. Similar properties to PEEK at lower cost but lower impact strength and use temp. Transparent amber color. Tg 217°C, inherent flame resistance (UL94 V-0 at 0.4mm), very low smoke. Hydrolytically stable (2000+ autoclave cycles). Trade name Ultem (SABIC). Used for aerospace interior panels, medical sterilizable devices, electrical insulators, semiconductor handling, and 3D-print build plates.
| PEEK GF30 | PEI (Ultem) | |
|---|---|---|
| Material Number | — | — |
| Category | Polymers | Polymers |
| Standard | ISO 527-1 | ISO 10350 |
Chemical composition (wt%) — Pro
| Element | PEEK GF30 | PEI (Ultem) | Overlap |
|---|---|---|---|
| PEEK (Base Polymer) | 68–72% | — | — |
| Glass Fiber Reinforcement | 28–32% | — | — |
| Base Polymer (Polyetherimide) | — | 99–99.9% | — |
Mechanical properties — Pro
| Property | PEEK GF30 | PEI (Ultem) | Unit |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tensile Strength | 155–165 | 85–105 | MPa |
| Elongation | 2–3 | 50–60 | % |
| Elastic Modulus | 10500–11500 | 3–3.3 | MPa |
| Density | |||
| hdt_1.8mpa | |||
| Yield Strength | |||
| Glass Transition Temp (Tg) | |||
| Continuous Use Temp | |||
| Water Absorption (24h) |
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PEEK GF30 and PEI (Ultem) have significantly different compositions (0% overlap). These materials are not interchangeable and serve different application areas.
Automated assessment based on composition analysis
Frequently Asked Questions
Is PEEK GF30 the same as PEI (Ultem)?
PEEK GF30 and PEI (Ultem) have a 0% composition overlap. They are generally not directly interchangeable.
Can I replace PEEK GF30 with PEI (Ultem)?
Generally not recommended. The compositions differ significantly (0% overlap). These materials have different alloying concepts and are intended for different applications.
What is the difference between PEEK GF30 and PEI (Ultem)?
The main differences are in the following elements: overall alloying content. PEEK GF30 is a Polymers grade, while PEI (Ultem) is a Polymers grade.
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Data provided for reference only. Always verify against the applicable specification for critical applications.
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