PEI Injection Molding

PEEK is another high-temperature material with excellent thermal stability and chemical resistance. However, it is more expensive compared to PEI. PEEK has a slightly higher melting point (343°C vs. 334°C) but offers better impact resistance and more consistent color.

PEEK (polyetheretherketone) is widely used in industries such as aerospace, medical, automotive and electronics, mainly due to its excellent high temperature resistance, corrosion resistance and high strength properties.

PPSU is a material that performs well at high temperatures, with an operating range of around 180°C, a little higher than PEI. It is tough and strong at high temperatures, but not as strong as PEEK. It is very resistant to water and most chemicals, but may not be as resistant to some chemicals as PEI.

PPSU (polyphenylsulfone) is mainly used in medical devices, beverage bottles and food packaging due to its excellent resistance to high temperature, chemical corrosion and impact.

PI is a high-temperature material with excellent thermal stability and chemical resistance. However, it is more expensive and more difficult to process. While PEI has a lower melting point (334°C) than PI, it has better impact resistance and more consistent color, making it a more convenient choice for many applications.

PI is often used in applications that require extremely high temperatures and high electrical insulation, such as electronic components and aerospace parts.

LCP is a high-performance material that can be used for a long time at temperatures up to 250°C, similar to PEI. LCP is stiffer and stronger at high temperatures than PEI. It has similar chemical resistance to PEI, but it may be more resistant to certain chemicals. LCP is used in electronics and high-frequency circuit boards when you need something that is very stiff and stable.

LCP is generally used in electronics, electrical connectors, high-frequency circuit boards and automotive parts.

PPA has a long-term use temperature of about 200°C, higher than PEI’s 170°C. It has good tensile strength and wear resistance, often comparable to PEI but with some advantages in specific conditions. PPA has better solvents and resistance to fats than PEI, although PEI may have better resistance to other chemicals. PPA is used in electronic products, automotive parts, and industrial equipment, especially where high-temperature stability and chemical resistance are important.

PEI is a high-performance thermoplastic with outstanding characteristics ideal for injection molding, including:

① Chemical Resistance: PEI resists a wide range of chemicals, making it perfect for use in demanding environments.

② Sterilizability: Its ability to withstand sterilization processes makes PEI a top choice for medical applications.

③ Mechanical Strength: PEI delivers exceptional tensile strength, impact resistance, and modulus for reliable mechanical performance.

④ High Heat Resistance: With a glass transition temperature of approximately 217°C (423°F), PEI excels in high-temperature applications.

⑤ Flame Resistance: PEI’s flame-retardant properties meet UL94 V-0, V-2, and 5VA standards, offering inherent fire safety.

• Mechanical Properties: PEI is incredibly strong, rigid, and durable. It maintains its shape under high temperatures and, when reinforced with materials like glass or carbon fibers, becomes even more robust and tougher.
• Environmental Friendliness: PEI utilizes eco-friendly resins that don’t harm the environment when disposed of, making it a sustainable choice for those focused on reducing their environmental impact.
• Chemical and Radiation Resistance: PEI resists chemicals, radiation, and UV rays, and its performance can be further enhanced with UV stabilizers, making it ideal for use in harsh, demanding environments.
• Flammability: PEI is naturally flame-resistant, with an oxygen index greater than 4.7 and minimal smoke production. It meets UL94V-0/5V standards, ensuring it won’t ignite easily without the need for additional flame retardants.
• High Temperature Resistance: With a continuous operating temperature of up to 170°C and heat deflection temperatures between 200°C and 210°C, PEI performs well in high-temperature conditions and can endure short bursts up to 200°C without losing its strength.
• High-Performance Characteristics: Known for its toughness and rigidity, PEI is an excellent material for precision parts in industries such as automotive and aerospace, where durability is crucial.
• Processing Efficiency: PEI allows for efficient low-pressure injection molding with short cycle times, improving production speed and reducing costs.
• Electrical Properties: PEI boasts exceptional electrical insulation properties, offering the highest dielectric strength of any plastic, making it perfect for applications like electrical housings and capacitors.
• Product Stability and Reliability: PEI products resist water, impact, and electrical leakage, ensuring consistent performance even in humid, low-temperature, or water-exposed conditions.
• Convenience in Mold Design: PEI doesn’t require complex mold designs, simplifying manufacturing and saving both time and costs in production.

• Long Lead Time: Creating PEI injection molds takes a significant amount of time, often 5 to 7 weeks just for the mold itself, followed by another 2 to 4 weeks to produce the parts and deliver them. This extended timeline can be a challenge when fast turnaround is needed.
• High Initial Mold Cost: The cost of molds for PEI injection molding can be quite high, particularly for complex designs. Simple molds can range from $2,000 to $5,000, but more intricate parts can drive the cost even higher. As a result, this process is often not cost-effective for producing small quantities of parts due to the expensive upfront mold investment.
• Design Change Limitations: Making design changes during the molding process can be both costly and time-consuming. Altering part designs often requires mold modifications, which adds significant expenses and delays—making it difficult for industries that require frequent design iterations or rapid prototyping.

• Medical: PEI’s biocompatibility and resistance to high temperatures and chemicals make it perfect for medical devices, such as implantable devices, surgical tools, medical instrument housings, and diagnostic components.
• Aerospace: PEI’s ability to maintain stable performance in extreme conditions makes it ideal for aerospace applications, including aircraft parts, satellite components, and spacecraft components.
• Electronics: With its excellent electrical insulation and chemical resistance, PEI is used in electronics for parts like connectors, switches, electrical insulators, and circuit boards, ensuring high performance and stability.
• Industrial: PEI’s wear and chemical resistance make it suitable for industrial components like pumps, valves, seals, and gears, ensuring long-lasting durability in challenging environments.
• Automotive: PEI’s high heat resistance and strength are perfect for automotive applications that need to withstand high temperatures and stress, such as dashboard components, engine parts, ECUs, transmission components, and interior parts.
• Energy: PEI is also used in the energy industry for parts like wind turbine components, solar panel components, and nuclear reactor parts, providing reliability and durability in energy applications.
• Consumer Goods: PEI injection molding is used to create durable parts for consumer goods.
• Optical Devices: Due to its high temperature stability and mechanical strength, PEI is used in optical devices and military applications, including structural components, protective covers, and optical instruments.