FabDigitFabDigit

Torlon 4301 vs Ultem 2300

Polymer · grade comparison

Torlon 4301 and Ultem 2300 are both polymer grades. Ultem 2300 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) against 108 MPa (15.7 ksi) for Torlon 4301, about 56% more; tensile strength follows at 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) vs 117 MPa (17 ksi). In exchange, Torlon 4301 is the more ductile: elongation 7% versus 3% for Ultem 2300. Torlon 4301 is lighter (1.46 g/cm³ vs 1.51 g/cm³ for Ultem 2300) and Ultem 2300 is stiffer (9 GPa vs 6.8 GPa). On the shop floor, Ultem 2300 welds better (fair vs not recommended).

Torlon 4301Choose 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.

Torlon 4301 vs Ultem 2300: properties

Torlon 4301Ultem 2300

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

6.8 GPa0.99 Msi
9 GPa1.3 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.4
0.37

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

117 MPa17 ksi
169 MPa24.5 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

108 MPa15.7 ksi
169 MPa24.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

7%
3%

Compressive Strength

166 MPa24.1 ksi
195 MPa28.3 ksi

Compressive Modulus

5 GPa0.73 Msi
7.5 GPa1.1 Msi

Flexural Strength

176 MPa25.5 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Flexural Modulus

6.5 GPa0.94 Msi
8.6 GPa1.2 Msi

Shear Strength

95 MPa13.8 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

3 MPa·√m2.7 ksi·√in
3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in

Izod Impact, Notched

60 J/m1.1 ft·lbf/in
100 J/m1.9 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

88 Shore D
90 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

105 HRM
114 HRM

Shear Modulus

—
3.3 GPa0.48 Msi

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Glass Transition (Tg)

275°C527 °F
217°C423 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.28%
0.22%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

1.9%
0.9%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.54 W/m·K0.31 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.3 W/m·K0.17 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

25 µm/m·K13.9 µin/in·°F
20 µm/m·K11.1 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

250°C482 °F
170°C338 °F

Min Service Temperature

-196°C-321 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

285°C545 °F
216°C421 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

279°C534 °F
210°C410 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

44%
50%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

280°C536 °F
200°C392 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

—
219°C426 °F

Same in both: Specific Heat Capacity 1,000 J/kg·K0.24 BTU/lb·°F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

1×10¹³ Ω·m3.94×10²⁰ µΩ·in
1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in

Dielectric Strength

—
28 kV/mm711 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

—
3.5

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
0.0022

Volume Resistivity

—
1×10¹⁶ Ω·cm

Surface Resistivity

—
1×10¹⁶ Ω

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

—
175 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

UV / Weathering Resistance

50 / 100
45 / 100

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 85 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Weldability

5 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
10 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
40 / 100

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

350°C662 °F
380°C716 °F

Mold Temperature (typ.)

215°C419 °F
150°C302 °F

Melt Flow Rate

—
6 g/10 min

Same in both: Machinability 55 / 100 · Mold Shrinkage 0.3%

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

300 MJ/kg128,977 BTU/lb
160 MJ/kg68,788 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

15 kg CO₂/kg
8 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

—
350 L/kg41.9 gal/lb

Same in both: Typical Recycled Content 0%

Common Calculations

Ratios derived from the values above.

Specific Strength (UTS / density)

80 kN·m/kg
112 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

4.7 MN·m/kg
6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

858 kJ/m³
1,587 kJ/m³

Thermal Diffusivity

0.4 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 2300Torlon 4301

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityTorlon 4301Ultem 2300
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Torlon 4301 vs Ultem 2300 — frequently asked

Is Ultem 2300 stronger than Torlon 4301?

Yes. Ultem 2300 has a typical yield strength of 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) against 108 MPa (15.7 ksi) for Torlon 4301 — about 56% more. Tensile strength is 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) vs 117 MPa (17 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Torlon 4301 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, Torlon 4301 or Ultem 2300?

Ultem 2300. Its weldability rates fair (45/100) against not recommended (5/100) for Torlon 4301.

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Torlon 4301 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.