ULTEM in FDM 3D Printing
ULTEM™ is the brand name for polyetherimide (PEI), a high-performance thermoplastic known for its exceptional strength, heat resistance, and flame retardancy. In the world of additive manufacturing, it’s used when parts need to endure harsh environments while maintaining mechanical performance.
It’s particularly well-suited for aerospace, automotive, rail, and industrial applications, where regulatory and structural demands are high.
Why Print ULTEM with FDM?
FDM (Fused Deposition Modelling) is one of the few additive manufacturing technologies capable of printing ULTEM effectively. Here’s why that matters:
Material Integrity
FDM preserves ULTEM’s chemical structure, delivering near-injection-moulded part strength without the tooling.
High-Temperature Performance
ULTEM maintains strength up to 200°C. That makes it ideal for components exposed to high heat, such as under-the-hood parts or aircraft ducting.
Regulatory Compliance
It offers flame, smoke, and toxicity (FST) compliance, which is required in the aerospace and rail sectors. ULTEM 9085, in particular, is certified for aircraft interiors.
Design Freedom
FDM allows you to produce complex geometries with internal channels, custom enclosures, or functional prototypes that would be difficult to machine.
Start Your Manufacturing Project with MakerVerse
MakerVerse is a platform for sourcing industrial parts. It provides instant access to a vetted supply chain and a full range of manufacturing technologies. With AI-powered quoting, order management, and fulfilment, MakerVerse helps with everything from initial prototypes to full-scale production.
ULTEM Grades Available for FDM
- ULTEM 9085
- High strength-to-weight ratio
- FST rated
- Widely used in aerospace
- ULTEM 1010
- Higher heat and chemical resistance
- Suitable for autoclave tooling and medical applications
- Available in biocompatible grade
Things to Know Before Printing ULTEM
Printer requirements:
ULTEM requires an FDM printer with a heated build chamber (~150°C) and high extrusion temperatures (~350–400°C). Not every printer qualifies.
Warping risk:
Due to shrinkage during cooling, large parts require good bed adhesion and may sometimes need support structures or enclosures.
Post-processing:
The surface finish is typically rougher than that of lower-temperature thermoplastics. Sanding or vapour smoothing may be used depending on requirements.
Common Applications of ULTEM with FDM
- Aircraft brackets and ducting
- Automotive electrical enclosures
- Rail interior parts with fire-safety compliance
- Functional prototypes in high-temp environments
- Low-volume production tooling
ULTEM vs. Other High-Performance Materials
| Property | ULTEM 9085 | Nylon PA12 | PEEK |
|---|---|---|---|
| Max Temp Resistance | ~200°C | ~100°C | ~260°C |
| FST Compliance | ✅ | ❌ | ✅ |
| Printability (FDM) | Medium (requires high-end printer) | Easy | Difficult |
| Cost (material) | $$$ | $$ | $$$$ |
How to Source ULTEM Parts
At MakerVerse, we offer on-demand ULTEM printing via FDM, giving you access to:
- Industrial-grade machines
- Certified materials (including ULTEM 9085 and 1010)
- Engineering support to optimise your design
Whether you’re testing a concept or producing ready-to-use end parts, we’ll help you achieve high-performance results, fast.
Ready to Print in ULTEM?
Upload your 3D file and receive an instant quote or reach out if you’re unsure which material is best for your project.
We’re happy to help you match performance with production needs.
