ULTEM 1010 3D Printing Material (FDM)

What Is ULTEM 1010?

ULTEM 1010 is a high-temperature, chemical-resistant PEI with the highest heat tolerance in our catalog. It withstands repeated sterilization and aggressive environments, making it suited to industrial, medical, and food-contact-capable applications.

Polyetherimide (PEI) 1010, printed with Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM). Every order is reviewed by our engineering team - no minimum order quantity.

When to choose ULTEM 1010

Choose ULTEM 1010 when no other printed material can handle the temperature or chemical environment. At 216 °C HDT, it survives autoclave sterilization (134 °C, 30+ minutes), sustained under-hood automotive temperatures, and industrial process heat that would destroy every other material in this catalog. It also resists a wide range of chemicals including hydrocarbons, alcohols, and many acids.

If your primary need is aerospace FST compliance rather than extreme temperature, ULTEM 9085 is the better choice - it is optimized for flame-smoke-toxicity performance and offers better elongation. ULTEM 1010 does not carry the same FST ratings.

For applications below 130 °C where flame retardancy is the driver, PC-FR delivers at a fraction of the cost. ULTEM 1010 is the material of last resort when temperature, chemical resistance, or sterilizability is non-negotiable. Its cost and lead time reflect that - expect $$$$ pricing and 7–14 business day lead times.

Material Properties

Representative values - process- and orientation-dependent. Full technical datasheet available on request.

Process

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

Tensile strength

48–81 MPa

Elongation at break

3–6%

Flexural modulus

2,230–2,820 MPa

Heat deflection (HDT)

216 °C @ 0.45 MPa

Density

1.27 g/cm³

Max build size

Large-format (manual)

Min wall thickness

1.0 mm

Resolution / layer

150–250 µm

Relative cost

$$$$ (1 = lowest, 4 = highest)

Design Guidelines

Plan features to print reliably and assemble cleanly in ULTEM 1010. Need DFM help?

Min wall

1.0–1.5 mm - 1.6 mm+ for load

Min hole Ø

1.5 mm - ream for precision

Heat (HDT)

≈ 216 °C @ 0.45 MPa - highest in catalog

Chemical

High resistance - sterilization capable

Dimensional tolerances

Typical tolerance is ±0.25 mm or ±0.2% on industrial FDM platforms. ULTEM 1010 has higher shrinkage than 9085, requiring careful build planning for large parts. Z-axis anisotropy is present - critical load paths should be oriented in XY. Post-machining is available and recommended for critical bores, sealing surfaces, and mating features.

Printing notes

ULTEM 1010 requires the highest-temperature industrial FDM equipment available (Stratasys F900 or equivalent) with chamber temperatures exceeding 200 °C and nozzle temperatures of 370–420 °C. Build and cool-down cycles are long - large parts may require 24+ hours of controlled cooling to prevent warping and stress cracking. ULTEM 1010 is extremely hygroscopic and requires aggressive drying (150 °C, 6+ hours). Support removal can be challenging; soluble support systems are preferred for complex geometry.

How ULTEM 1010 Compares

ULTEM 1010 alongside related materials.

	ULTEM 1010	ULTEM 9085	PC-FR	PA12 (MJF)
Tensile strength	48–81 MPa	42–69 MPa	60 ± 4 MPa	48 MPa
Heat deflection (HDT)	216 °C @ 0.45 MPa	153 °C @ 1.82 MPa	113 °C @ 0.45 MPa	175 °C @ 0.45 MPa
Flexural modulus	2,230–2,820 MPa	2,050–2,300 MPa	1,890 ± 70 MPa	1,730 MPa
Elongation	3–6%	5–6%	5–8%	15–20%
Density	1.27 g/cm³	1.34 g/cm³	1.20 g/cm³	1.01 g/cm³
Relative cost	$$$$	$$$$	$$	$$

When to Use ULTEM 1010

Where ULTEM 1010 fits, where it doesn't, and what to use instead.

High-temperature end-use parts

216 °C HDT at 0.45 MPa - survives sustained service temperatures that exceed every other printable plastic in our catalog by at least 63 °C.

Energy

Autoclavable medical instruments and trays

Withstands repeated 134 °C / 30-minute autoclave cycles without dimensional degradation - one of the few printable materials suitable for reusable sterilizable tooling.

Medical Devices

Chemical-handling fixtures and manifolds

Resists hydrocarbons, alcohols, automotive fluids, and many acids, enabling direct contact with process chemicals that attack nylons and ABS.

Engineering

Composite lay-up and curing tooling

Survives 180 °C autoclave cure cycles for carbon-fiber prepreg - replacing machined aluminum tools at 50% the weight and no CNC setup cost.

Aerospace

Food-contact-capable production parts

Select grades are FDA-compliant for direct food contact, usable for production reusable food-handling fixtures and container inserts.

Consumer Products

Strengths

Highest heat resistance in the catalog - 216 °C HDT exceeds ULTEM 9085 (153 °C) by 63 °C and survives autoclave sterilization at 134 °C
Broad chemical resistance to hydrocarbons, alcohols, and many acids that would attack nylon, ABS, or polycarbonate
48–81 MPa tensile at only 1.27 g/cm³ - lighter than aluminum and strong enough for structural tooling and fixtures

Keep in mind

$$$$ cost tier with 7–14 business day lead time - the premium material of last resort when nothing else survives the environment
Does not carry the FST (flame-smoke-toxicity) certifications of ULTEM 9085 - use 9085 for aerospace and transit applications requiring FAR 25.853
Requires the highest-temperature industrial FDM equipment (F900-class); not available on desktop or mid-range machines

Not the right fit?

Aerospace FST certificationULTEM 9085 Flame retardancy at lower costPC-FR General functional prototypingPA12 (MJF)

Finishes & Colors

Finishing options and in-stock colors for ULTEM 1010.

Standard

As-printed industrial finish; support removal.

Best for: End-use & high-temp parts

In-Stock Colors

Tan

Black

Custom colors and dyeing available on request. Contact us for options.

ULTEM 1010 FAQ

1010 offers higher heat resistance, better chemical resistance, and sterilizability; 9085 is optimized for aerospace FST performance and strength-to-weight. Choose based on whether temperature/chemicals or flame rating drives your part.

Yes. ULTEM 1010 withstands repeated autoclave cycles at 134 °C and 30+ minutes without dimensional degradation. This makes it one of the few printable materials suitable for reusable medical and laboratory tooling that must be sterilized between uses.

ULTEM 1010 is lighter than aluminum (1.27 vs 2.7 g/cm³) and far lighter than steel. For moderate-load high-temperature parts, it saves weight and avoids CNC tooling costs. For maximum strength at extreme temperatures, machined metal is still necessary. The break-even depends on volume, geometry, and load requirements.

Certain ULTEM 1010 grades are FDA-compliant for food contact. The specific grade and certification depend on your application. Contact us with your requirements and we will confirm suitability and provide appropriate documentation.

ULTEM 1010 resists hydrocarbons, alcohols, many acids, and automotive fluids. It is not resistant to chlorinated solvents, ketones, or strong bases. For specific chemical compatibility, consult the TDS or contact us with your chemical environment details.

Industrial FDM platforms achieve ±0.25 mm or ±0.2% on ULTEM 1010. Due to high shrinkage, large parts require careful build planning. Post-machining of critical features is recommended for tight-tolerance applications.

Typical lead times for ULTEM 1010 are 7–14 business days, depending on geometry, quantity, and finish requirements. Rush options may be available for simpler parts.

Technical Documents

Download TDS (PDF)

ULTEM 1010 3D Printing Material