FabDigitFabDigit

Extem XH1015 vs Ultem 2300

Polymer · grade comparison

Extem XH1015 and Ultem 2300 are both polymer grades. Ultem 2300 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) against 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) for Extem XH1015, about 47% more; tensile strength follows at 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) vs 115 MPa (16.7 ksi). In exchange, Extem XH1015 is the more ductile: elongation 30% versus 3% for Ultem 2300. Extem XH1015 is lighter (1.31 g/cm³ vs 1.51 g/cm³ for Ultem 2300) and Ultem 2300 is stiffer (9 GPa vs 3.6 GPa). On the shop floor, Ultem 2300 welds better (45 vs 35 out of 100).

Extem XH1015Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

Ultem 2300Choose it when strength drives the design, or when it will be welded.

Extem XH1015 vs Ultem 2300: properties

Extem XH1015Ultem 2300

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

3.6 GPa0.52 Msi
9 GPa1.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

1.3 GPa0.19 Msi
3.3 GPa0.48 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.38
0.37

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

115 MPa16.7 ksi
169 MPa24.5 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

115 MPa16.7 ksi
169 MPa24.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

30%
3%

Compressive Strength

160 MPa23.2 ksi
195 MPa28.3 ksi

Compressive Modulus

3.3 GPa0.48 Msi
7.5 GPa1.1 Msi

Flexural Strength

170 MPa24.7 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Flexural Modulus

3.4 GPa0.49 Msi
8.6 GPa1.2 Msi

Shear Strength

90 MPa13.1 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

2.8 MPa·√m2.5 ksi·√in
3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in

Izod Impact, Notched

45 J/m0.84 ft·lbf/in
100 J/m1.9 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

88 Shore D
90 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

112 HRM
114 HRM

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.31 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
1.51 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³

Glass Transition (Tg)

267°C513 °F
217°C423 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.4%
0.22%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

1.4%
0.9%

Refractive Index

1.67
—

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

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

Specific Heat Capacity

1,200 J/kg·K0.29 BTU/lb·°F
1,000 J/kg·K0.24 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

47 µm/m·K26.1 µin/in·°F
20 µm/m·K11.1 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

230°C446 °F
170°C338 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

262°C504 °F
216°C421 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

247°C477 °F
210°C410 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

265°C509 °F
219°C426 °F

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

300°C572 °F
200°C392 °F

Same in both: Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F · Limiting Oxygen Index 50%

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

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

Dielectric Strength

22 kV/mm559 V/mil
28 kV/mm711 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

3.2
3.5

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.004
0.0022

Volume Resistivity

1×10¹⁷ Ω·cm
1×10¹⁶ 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

40 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Weldability

35 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

30 / 100
10 / 100

Polishability

70 / 100
40 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.6%
0.3%

Melt Flow Rate

15 g/10 min
6 g/10 min

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

400°C752 °F
380°C716 °F

Mold Temperature (typ.)

200°C392 °F
150°C302 °F

Same in both: Machinability 55 / 100

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

260 MJ/kg111,780 BTU/lb
160 MJ/kg68,788 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

13 kg CO₂/kg
8 kg CO₂/kg

Same in both: Embodied Water 350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb · Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

88 kN·m/kg
112 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2.7 MN·m/kg
6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,837 kJ/m³
1,587 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

0.1 mm²/s
0.2 mm²/s

Same in both: 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 2300Extem XH1015

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityExtem XH1015Ultem 2300
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Extem XH1015 vs Ultem 2300 — frequently asked

Is Ultem 2300 stronger than Extem XH1015?

Yes. Ultem 2300 has a typical yield strength of 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) against 115 MPa (16.7 ksi) for Extem XH1015 — about 47% more. Tensile strength is 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) vs 115 MPa (16.7 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Extem XH1015 or Ultem 2300?

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, Extem XH1015 or Ultem 2300?

Ultem 2300. Its weldability rates fair (45/100) against fair (35/100) for Extem XH1015.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Extem XH1015 and Ultem 2300 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.