3D Printing PEEK PEI ULTEM

  • We make it - you break it

    We’re able to help you 3D printing vibration testing supports, custom stands for holding products in the right orientation during testing, vibration fixtures and more. In this instance we’re the ones making it, and you’re the ones breaking it, a role reversal for the ages.

  • PEEK

    PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is a high-performance thermoplastic known for its exceptional strength, chemical resistance, and thermal stability, making it ideal for 3D printing in demanding industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical. It’s strong, and can handle the stresses of vibration testing very well.

  • PEI (ULTEM)

    PEI (Polyetherimide) is a tough, heat-resistant 3D printing material valued for its excellent mechanical properties, high thermal stability, and resistance to chemicals, making it suitable for industrial applications. We can use PEI (ULTEM) to make fixtures resistant to thermal shock, thermal and humidity cycling and vibration - allowing you to focus on your product.

  • ULTEM 9085

    This is the most common PEI grade used for 3D printing. It offers high strength, stiffness, and resistance to chemicals and heat, making it ideal for industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical. ULTEM 9085 is certified for use in aerospace applications and has excellent dimensional stability, even at high temperatures.

  • ULTEM 1010

    This grade of PEI is known for its higher chemical resistance and improved thermal properties compared to ULTEM 9085. It's commonly used in applications that require more stringent performance, such as in the medical and food industries. ULTEM 1010 also has superior resistance to hydrolysis, making it better for environments with high moisture or chemical exposure.

  • PEEK-CF

    PEEK-CF (Polyether Ether Ketone Carbon Fiber) is a composite 3D printing material reinforced with carbon fibers, offering enhanced strength, stiffness, and lightweight properties, making it ideal for high-performance applications in aerospace, automotive, and engineering.

Make It.

Our 3D Printers

Creatbot 300 PEEK

A high-performance 3D printer designed to handle advanced thermoplastics like PEEK, offering precise printing capabilities and an enclosed heated chamber, making it ideal for creating durable, heat-resistant parts for industries such as aerospace and automotive.

Supported materials: PEEK, PEI, ULTEM, PEEK-CF

Prusa XL

The Prusa XL 3D printer isn’t here to play—it’s a powerhouse with a massive build volume, speedy prints, and a rock-solid reputation for precision, making it the go-to choice for serious makers who want nothing less than perfection. Print in up to 5 colours.

Supported materials: PLA, PETG, ABS, ASA, PC, Nylon, TPU, CF

Bambu Labs A1

The Bambu Lab A1 offers an impressive balance of affordability and high-performance 3D printing, making it a cost-effective choice for both beginners and enthusiasts without compromising on quality or reliability. Print in up to 4 colours.

Supported materials: PLA, PETG, ABS, TPU, ASA

Materials & what they’re good for

PLA (Polylactic Acid)

PLA (Polylactic Acid) is one of the most popular and user-friendly 3D printing materials, widely used for its ease of printing, affordability, and environmentally friendly nature. Derived from renewable resources like cornstarch or sugarcane, PLA is biodegradable under industrial composting conditions, making it a more sustainable option compared to petroleum-based plastics. It prints at relatively low temperatures (typically 180-220°C) and does not require a heated bed, though one can be used to improve adhesion. PLA produces minimal warping and emits a mild, sweet smell when printing, making it ideal for home and classroom use. While it is great for prototyping, models, and decorative objects, it is less heat- and impact-resistant than materials like ABS or PETG, which limits its use in high-stress or outdoor applications.

ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate)

ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate) is a high-performance 3D printing material known for its superior weather resistance, UV stability, and durability, making it an excellent choice for outdoor applications. Similar to ABS in terms of strength and impact resistance, ASA offers improved resistance to sunlight, moisture, and temperature fluctuations, ensuring that printed parts do not become brittle or discolored over time. It prints at high temperatures (typically 240-260°C) and requires a heated bed (90-110°C) to minimize warping, often benefiting from an enclosed print chamber. While ASA emits fumes similar to ABS during printing, requiring proper ventilation, its long-term durability and resistance to environmental factors make it ideal for automotive parts, outdoor signage, and structural components exposed to the elements.

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)

TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane) is a flexible, rubber-like 3D printing material known for its excellent elasticity, durability, and impact resistance. It prints at moderate temperatures, typically between 200-250°C, and does not require a heated bed, though using one at around 40-60°C can improve adhesion. TPU is highly resistant to wear, abrasion, and chemicals, making it ideal for applications such as gaskets, phone cases, prosthetics, and shock-absorbing components. Despite its versatility, TPU can be challenging to print due to its flexibility, requiring a direct-drive extruder and slower print speeds for optimal results. With its combination of flexibility, toughness, and resilience, TPU is a go-to material for functional prints that require both stretch and strength.

PEI Ultem 1010

PEI Ultem 1010 is a high-performance thermoplastic known for its exceptional strength, heat resistance, and chemical resistance, making it ideal for demanding industrial, medical, and aerospace applications. It offers higher tensile strength and thermal stability compared to Ultem 9085, withstanding continuous temperatures up to 216°C while maintaining its mechanical integrity. Ultem 1010 is biocompatible and certified for food contact applications, making it suitable for medical instruments, autoclave-sterilizable parts, and food processing components. It prints at extremely high temperatures (350-400°C) and requires a heated bed (140-160°C) along with an enclosed, high-temperature chamber to prevent warping and ensure strong layer adhesion. Though challenging to print, Ultem 1010 is valued for its superior mechanical properties and compliance with strict industry standards, making it a go-to material for high-performance manufacturing.

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol)

PETG (Polyethylene Terephthalate Glycol) is a versatile and durable 3D printing material that combines the ease of printing seen with PLA and the strength and heat resistance of ABS. Known for its toughness, impact resistance, and flexibility, PETG is an excellent choice for functional parts, mechanical components, and outdoor applications. It prints at higher temperatures (typically 220-250°C) and requires a heated bed (around 70-90°C) to ensure good adhesion and minimize warping. Unlike ABS, PETG emits minimal fumes and has better layer adhesion, making it less prone to cracking. Additionally, PETG is highly resistant to moisture and chemicals, making it ideal for water-resistant and food-safe applications (though food safety depends on specific formulations and handling). With its balance of strength, durability, and ease of use, PETG is a go-to material for hobbyists and professionals alike.

PC (Polycarbonate)

PC (Polycarbonate) is a high-performance 3D printing material known for its exceptional strength, heat resistance, and impact durability, making it ideal for demanding engineering applications. It prints at high temperatures, typically between 250-300°C, and requires a heated bed (90-120°C) to prevent warping and ensure proper adhesion. PC is highly resistant to deformation under stress and can withstand temperatures well above 100°C, making it suitable for automotive, aerospace, and industrial applications. However, due to its tendency to warp and sensitivity to moisture, PC benefits from an enclosed print chamber and proper filament storage. While challenging to print compared to materials like PLA or PETG, PC's superior mechanical properties make it a preferred choice for strong, functional parts.

PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone)

PEEK (Polyether Ether Ketone) is a high-performance engineering-grade 3D printing material known for its exceptional strength, heat resistance, and chemical resistance. It prints at extremely high temperatures, typically around 360-450°C, requiring a heated bed (120-160°C) and a heated chamber to prevent warping and ensure optimal layer adhesion. PEEK is widely used in aerospace, automotive, and medical industries due to its superior mechanical properties, biocompatibility, and ability to withstand harsh environments. It offers excellent dimensional stability, making it ideal for precision parts that need to endure extreme conditions. However, PEEK is challenging to print and requires an industrial-grade 3D printer capable of handling its demanding temperature requirements. Despite these challenges, PEEK remains a top choice for high-performance applications where strength, durability, and resistance to heat and chemicals are critical.

PEKK (PolyEtherKetoneKetone)

PEKK (PolyEtherKetoneKetone) is a high-performance thermoplastic known for its exceptional strength, heat resistance, and chemical resistance, making it a top choice for aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications. Similar to PEEK, PEKK offers superior mechanical properties but has better printability due to its lower crystallization rate, which reduces warping and improves layer adhesion. It can withstand extreme temperatures (up to 260°C) and harsh chemical environments, making it ideal for components exposed to high heat, wear, and corrosive substances. PEKK prints at high temperatures (330-400°C) and requires a heated bed (120-160°C) and an enclosed chamber for optimal results. While it is more expensive than standard thermoplastics, its exceptional durability, dimensional stability, and flame resistance make it a preferred material for high-performance, mission-critical parts in engineering and manufacturing.

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene)

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) is a robust thermoplastic favored for its strength, durability, and high impact resistance, making it an excellent choice for functional parts and prototypes that need to withstand stress. It requires high printing temperatures, typically around 230-250°C, and a heated bed to reduce warping and ensure proper layer adhesion. Although ABS offers great post-processing versatility—allowing for sanding, painting, and smoothing to achieve a refined finish—it does emit stronger fumes during printing, necessitating proper ventilation or an enclosed build environment. Overall, ABS remains a popular material for applications where durability and resilience are paramount.

Nylon

Nylon is a strong, flexible, and wear-resistant 3D printing material known for its high durability and toughness, making it ideal for functional parts, gears, and mechanical components. It prints at high temperatures, typically between 240-270°C, and requires a heated bed (60-100°C) to minimize warping. Nylon has excellent impact resistance and can withstand repeated stress without breaking, but it is highly hygroscopic, meaning it absorbs moisture from the air, which can negatively affect print quality. To ensure optimal performance, it must be stored in a dry, airtight container. With its superior strength, flexibility, and resistance to abrasion, Nylon is a preferred material for industrial and engineering applications that demand long-lasting, high-performance prints.

PEI Ultem 9085

PEI Ultem 9085 is a high-performance thermoplastic known for its excellent strength-to-weight ratio, flame resistance, and impact durability, making it a top choice for aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications. It meets stringent flame, smoke, and toxicity (FST) regulations, ensuring safety in critical environments such as aircraft interiors and mass transit systems. With a high heat resistance and strong mechanical properties, Ultem 9085 can withstand extreme temperatures and harsh conditions without losing its structural integrity. It prints at extremely high temperatures (typically 350-400°C) and requires a heated bed (140-160°C) and an enclosed chamber to prevent warping. While challenging to print, its superior performance, lightweight nature, and compliance with industry regulations make Ultem 9085 a preferred material for demanding engineering applications.

PEEK-CF (Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polyether Ether Ketone)

PEEK-CF (Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Polyether Ether Ketone) is a high-performance composite material that combines the exceptional strength, heat resistance, and chemical resistance of PEEK with the added rigidity and lightweight properties of carbon fiber. This reinforcement significantly enhances stiffness, dimensional stability, and wear resistance, making it an ideal choice for aerospace, automotive, and industrial applications requiring extreme durability. PEEK-CF can withstand continuous operating temperatures up to 260°C and harsh chemical environments, making it suitable for demanding structural components. It prints at very high temperatures (360-450°C) and requires a heated bed (120-160°C) and a heated chamber to prevent warping and ensure strong layer adhesion. While challenging to print and expensive, PEEK-CF is valued for its unmatched mechanical performance, lightweight structure, and long-term reliability in high-stress engineering applications.