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Aurum PD450 vs Ultem 1000

Polymer · grade comparison

Aurum PD450 and Ultem 1000 are both polymer grades. Ultem 1000 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) against 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) for Aurum PD450, about 17% more; tensile strength follows at 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) vs 92 MPa (13.3 ksi). Ultem 1000 is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 40% for Aurum PD450. Ultem 1000 is lighter (1.27 g/cm³ vs 1.33 g/cm³ for Aurum PD450) and Ultem 1000 is stiffer (3.2 GPa vs 2.9 GPa). On the shop floor, Ultem 1000 welds better (good vs fair).

Aurum PD450Choose it when the part sees heat.

Ultem 1000Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded.

Aurum PD450 vs Ultem 1000: properties

Aurum PD450Ultem 1000

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

2.9 GPa0.42 Msi
3.2 GPa0.46 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.4
0.36

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

92 MPa13.3 ksi
105 MPa15.2 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
105 MPa15.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
60%

Compressive Strength

130 MPa18.9 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Flexural Strength

130 MPa18.9 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Flexural Modulus

3 GPa0.44 Msi
3.3 GPa0.48 Msi

Izod Impact, Notched

55 J/m1 ft·lbf/in
53 J/m0.99 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Rockwell M

90 HRM
109 HRM

Shear Modulus

—
1.2 GPa0.17 Msi

Bulk Modulus

—
4 GPa0.55 Msi

Compressive Modulus

—
2.9 GPa0.42 Msi

Shear Strength

—
90 MPa13.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

—
3.3 MPa·√m3 ksi·√in

Hardness, Shore D

—
87 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell R

—
125 HRR

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Melting Temperature (Tm)

388°C730 °F
—

Glass Transition (Tg)

250°C482 °F
217°C423 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.24%
0.25%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

1%
1.25%

Refractive Index

—
1.66

Light Transmission

—
78%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.29 W/m·K0.17 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.22 W/m·K0.13 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,150 J/kg·K0.27 BTU/lb·°F
1,100 J/kg·K0.26 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

52 µm/m·K28.9 µin/in·°F
55 µm/m·K30.6 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

240°C464 °F
170°C338 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

290°C554 °F
210°C410 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

238°C460 °F
200°C392 °F

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

300°C572 °F
200°C392 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

—
219°C426 °F

Same in both: Limiting Oxygen Index 47%

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

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

Dielectric Strength

22 kV/mm559 V/mil
33 kV/mm838 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

3.3
3.15

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.002
0.0013

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁷ Ω·cm

Same in both: Surface Resistivity 1×10¹⁶ Ω · Comparative Tracking Index (CTI) 175 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

Corrosion Resistance

88 / 100
85 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

55 / 100
35 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Weldability

45 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

30 / 100
50 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
80 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

1.5%
0.6%

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

410°C770 °F
370°C698 °F

Mold Temperature (typ.)

200°C392 °F
150°C302 °F

Melt Flow Rate

—
9 g/10 min

Same in both: Machinability 65 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

320 MJ/kg137,575 BTU/lb
250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

16 kg CO₂/kg
8.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

600 L/kg71.9 gal/lb
500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

69 kN·m/kg
83 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2.2 MN·m/kg
2.5 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,397 kJ/m³
1,723 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 scaleUltem 1000Aurum PD450

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityAurum PD450Ultem 1000
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Aurum PD450 vs Ultem 1000 — frequently asked

Is Ultem 1000 stronger than Aurum PD450?

Yes. Ultem 1000 has a typical yield strength of 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) against 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) for Aurum PD450 — about 17% more. Tensile strength is 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) vs 92 MPa (13.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Aurum PD450 or Ultem 1000?

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 welds better, Aurum PD450 or Ultem 1000?

Ultem 1000. Its weldability rates good (60/100) against fair (45/100) for Aurum PD450.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Aurum PD450 and Ultem 1000 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.