Ultem Drip Tip – What is it in Vaping?

What is an Ultem Drip Tip?

An Ultem DripTip“>drip tip is a high-performance mouthpiece crafted from PEI (polyetherimide) resin, a translucent amber engineering plastic branded Ultem. Positioned on the top of your vapetank or RDA, it forms the final pathway between coil and lips, delivering flavour-rich vapour while remaining cool to the touch. Ultem’s natural heat resistance, chemical stability and light weight make it ideal for mouth-to-lung and direct-lung vapers who want a durable, comfortable alternative to metal or acrylic tips. Its signature golden-amber hue also adds a distinctive aesthetic that pairs well with stainless steel, resin or carbon-fibre devices.

Technical Details

Ultem PEI retains its shape up to 217 °C, so chain-vaping at 80–120 W will not soften or deform the bore. Standard Ultem drip tips are machined to 510 spec (8.5 mm base diameter, 5 mm bore) or 810 spec (12.5 mm base, 8–10 mm bore), with o-rings in either Buna-N or silicone for a secure, wobble-free fit. Wall thickness is typically 1.2 mm, giving a heat-insulating air gap while keeping overall weight under 2 g. Some manufacturers embed stainless-steel airflow inserts or knurled grips, while others press-fit Ultem into resin or wood sleeves for hybrid designs. Because Ultem is FDA-compliant and autoclavable, it will not leach flavours or react with acidic e-liquids containing citrus or menthol.

Usage & Tips

Before first use, rinse the tip in warm soapy water to remove machining oils; dry thoroughly. When swapping between tanks, check o-ring integrity—nicks cause loose fits that can pop off in your pocket. Ultem is tough but can crack if dropped on concrete; carry a spare if you use an ultra-portable setup. Unlike metal, Ultem will not overheat, yet lip-gunk still builds up—wipe with isopropyl alcohol weekly to maintain flavour purity. Do not torch-clean; PEI will discolour above 250 °C. If you switch from a sub-ohmUFORCE tank to an Mod“>unregulated mod, ensure the 510 threading is smooth so the soft Ultem base is not cross-threaded.

History & Context

Ultem entered the vape lexicon around 2015 when high-wattage RDAs pushed metal drip tips past lip-burning temperatures. Asian machine shops adopted surplus aerospace PEI sheet, turning it into affordable 810-wide tips for cloud-chasers. The amber look quickly became synonymous with “high-end” custom mods, and today even USB-C charge-capable pod kits offer optional Ultem mouthpieces to blend retro style with modern safety.