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Aurum PD450 vs Torlon 4203

Polymer · grade comparison

Aurum PD450 and Torlon 4203 are both polymer grades. Torlon 4203 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) against 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) for Aurum PD450, about 106% more; tensile strength follows at 192 MPa (27.8 ksi) vs 92 MPa (13.3 ksi). In exchange, Aurum PD450 is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 15% for Torlon 4203. Aurum PD450 is lighter (1.33 g/cm³ vs 1.42 g/cm³ for Torlon 4203) and Torlon 4203 is stiffer (4.5 GPa vs 2.9 GPa). On the shop floor, Aurum PD450 machines more easily (65 vs 55 out of 100) and Aurum PD450 welds better (fair vs not recommended).

Aurum PD450Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

Torlon 4203Choose it when strength drives the design.

Aurum PD450 vs Torlon 4203: properties

Aurum PD450Torlon 4203

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

2.9 GPa0.42 Msi
4.5 GPa0.65 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.4
0.42

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

92 MPa13.3 ksi
192 MPa27.8 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
185 MPa26.8 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
15%

Compressive Strength

130 MPa18.9 ksi
221 MPa32.1 ksi

Flexural Strength

130 MPa18.9 ksi
244 MPa35.4 ksi

Flexural Modulus

3 GPa0.44 Msi
5 GPa0.73 Msi

Izod Impact, Notched

55 J/m1 ft·lbf/in
134 J/m2.5 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Rockwell M

90 HRM
118 HRM

Compressive Modulus

—
4 GPa0.58 Msi

Shear Strength

—
128 MPa18.6 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in

Hardness, Shore D

—
90 Shore D

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.33 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
1.42 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³

Melting Temperature (Tm)

388°C730 °F
—

Glass Transition (Tg)

250°C482 °F
275°C527 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.24%
0.28%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

1%
5%

Thermal

How each material carries heat and how hot it can run.

Thermal Conductivity

0.29 W/m·K0.17 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.26 W/m·K0.15 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,150 J/kg·K0.27 BTU/lb·°F
1,000 J/kg·K0.24 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

52 µm/m·K28.9 µin/in·°F
30.6 µm/m·K17 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

240°C464 °F
260°C500 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

290°C554 °F
285°C545 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

238°C460 °F
278°C532 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

47%
45%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

300°C572 °F
290°C554 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -196°C-321 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in
2×10¹⁵ Ω·m7.87×10²² µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

22 kV/mm559 V/mil
23.6 kV/mm599 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

3.3
3.9

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.002
0.026

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm
2×10¹⁷ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

1×10¹⁶ Ω
—

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

175 V
150 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

88 / 100
90 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

55 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

FabDigit workshop ratings (0–100 scores) — how each material behaves on the machine.

Machinability

65 / 100
55 / 100

Weldability

45 / 100
3 / 100

Formability (cold)

30 / 100
5 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

1.5%
0.65%

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

410°C770 °F
355°C671 °F

Mold Temperature (typ.)

200°C392 °F
215°C419 °F

Same in both: Polishability 70 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

320 MJ/kg137,575 BTU/lb
350 MJ/kg150,473 BTU/lb

Same in both: Embodied Carbon (primary production) 16 kg CO₂/kg · Embodied Water 600 L/kg71.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

69 kN·m/kg
135 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2.2 MN·m/kg
3.2 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,397 kJ/m³
3,803 kJ/m³

Same in both: Thermal Diffusivity 0.2 mm²/s · Thermal Shock Resistance Index 0

Strength versus weight

Yield strength against density for every polymer grade in the FabDigit library; the compared grades are highlighted. Up and left is stronger for its weight.

0.1110100123Density (g/cm³)Yield strength (MPa) — log scaleTorlon 4203Aurum PD450

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAurum PD450Torlon 4203
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Aurum PD450 vs Torlon 4203 — frequently asked

Is Torlon 4203 stronger than Aurum PD450?

Yes. Torlon 4203 has a typical yield strength of 185 MPa (26.8 ksi) against 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) for Aurum PD450 — about 106% more. Tensile strength is 192 MPa (27.8 ksi) vs 92 MPa (13.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Aurum PD450 or Torlon 4203?

Both sit in the same relative cost tier ($$$$, high); the part price will be decided by machining time, tolerance and quantity rather than by the material.

Which is easier to machine, Aurum PD450 or Torlon 4203?

Aurum PD450, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 65/100 against 55/100 for Torlon 4203; for welding the order is Aurum PD450 first (fair, 45/100) then Torlon 4203 (not recommended, 3/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Aurum PD450 and Torlon 4203 side by side — material, machining time, tolerance and finish in one quote. Certified material data ships with the order on request.

Typical handbook values for the conditions named above, normalised for comparison. Hardness on non-Brinell scales is converted approximately for charting only. Request certified data with your order for design-critical properties.