EXTEM™ Resin

Description

The new EXTEM™ Resin portfolio of amorphous thermoplastic polyimide (TPI) and polyetherimide (PEI) resins offers a powerful combination of outstanding elevated thermal resistance up to 280 °C Tg; high strength, stiffness, and creep performance up to 230 °C, broad chemical resistance including chlorinated solvents; and eliminates the draw-backs of semi-crystalline materials, imidized thermosets, and competitive amorphous thermoplastics which can require post-molding curing or crystallization. In addition, EXTEM resin is inherently flame-retardant without the use of halogenated additives that can pose an environmental risk.

EXTEM is available in transparent and opaque custom colors, as well as glass filled grades. In the near future, EXTEM with additional fillers will be available through SABIC LNP™ Compounds to provide wear resistance performance, electrostatic dissipative properties, enhanced dimensional stability, and more. Plus, EXTEM resin portfolio is extremely versatile allowing SABIC to design products that can offer design engineers exceptional flexibility and freedom.

Benefits

LONG-TERM HEAT RESISTANCE

Excellent stability of physical and mechanical properties at elevated temperatures thanks to high glass transition temperature of up to 280 °C. Available with relative thermal indices (RTI) higher than 200 °C (preliminary).

STRENGTH AND STIFFNESS

Outstanding strength, stiffness and creep resistance with predictable performance up to 230 °C (preliminary). EXTEM XH resin is approximately 50% stronger at 170 °C than ULTEM resin. Unfilled, transparent grades are equal in strength to other thermoplastics with opacifying fillers.

DIMENSIONAL STABILITY

Among the most dimensionally stable thermoplastics available, offering predictability over a broader temperature range exceeding 200°C. Filled grades offer exceptionally high-tolerance dimensional capabilities.

ENVIRONMENTAL STRESS & CRACKING RESISTANCE

Unlike most other amorphous thermoplastics, EXTEM resins retain strength and resist stress cracking when exposed to automotive and aircraft fluids, aliphatic hydrocarbons, alcohols, acids as well as chlorinated solvents such as methylene chloride.

FLAMMABILITY, SMOKE GENERATION AND TOXICITY

Inherently flame-retardant without the use of halogenated additives, which can pose an environmental risk. EXTEM resin is exceptionally difficult to ignite, with a limiting oxygen index (LOI) of 45% (preliminary). EXTEM resin is expected to retain the UL performance and flame, smoke and toxicity strengths of ULTEM resin.

PROCESSABILITY

EXTEM resin can be processed in conventional drying and injection molding or extrusion equipment capable of running ULTEM™ resin and other high heat thermoplastics. EXTEM resin can be film and profile extruded, thermoformed, extrusion blow molded, extruded into stock shapes, and injection molded. Flowability can be tailored to meet customer applications through product and processing design and flows similar to ULTEM resins.