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Torlon 7130 vs Ultem 1000

Polymer · grade comparison

Torlon 7130 and Ultem 1000 are both polymer grades. Torlon 7130 is the stronger of the two: tensile strength 203 MPa (29.4 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for Ultem 1000, about 93% more. In exchange, Ultem 1000 is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 6% for Torlon 7130. Ultem 1000 is lighter (1.27 g/cm³ vs 1.48 g/cm³ for Torlon 7130) and Torlon 7130 is stiffer (22.4 GPa vs 3.2 GPa). On the shop floor, Ultem 1000 machines more easily (good vs fair) and Ultem 1000 welds better (good vs not recommended).

Torlon 7130Choose it when strength drives the design, or when the part sees heat.

Ultem 1000Choose it when the part is bent, formed or impact-loaded, or when weight is the constraint.

Torlon 7130 vs Ultem 1000: properties

Torlon 7130Ultem 1000

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

22.4 GPa3.2 Msi
3.2 GPa0.46 Msi

Poisson's Ratio

0.38
0.36

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

203 MPa29.4 ksi
105 MPa15.2 ksi

Elongation at Break

6%
60%

Compressive Strength

260 MPa37.7 ksi
140 MPa20.3 ksi

Compressive Modulus

15 GPa2.2 Msi
2.9 GPa0.42 Msi

Flexural Strength

320 MPa46.4 ksi
150 MPa21.8 ksi

Flexural Modulus

17.2 GPa2.5 Msi
3.3 GPa0.48 Msi

Shear Strength

130 MPa18.9 ksi
90 MPa13.1 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

3.5 MPa·√m3.2 ksi·√in
3.3 MPa·√m3 ksi·√in

Izod Impact, Notched

45 J/m0.84 ft·lbf/in
53 J/m0.99 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

90 Shore D
87 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

120 HRM
109 HRM

Shear Modulus

—
1.2 GPa0.17 Msi

Bulk Modulus

—
4 GPa0.55 Msi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

—
105 MPa15.2 ksi

Hardness, Rockwell R

—
125 HRR

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Glass Transition (Tg)

275°C527 °F
217°C423 °F

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.24%
0.25%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

2.6%
1.25%

Refractive Index

—
1.66

Light Transmission

—
78%

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

0.53 W/m·K0.31 BTU/hr·ft·°F
0.22 W/m·K0.13 BTU/hr·ft·°F

Specific Heat Capacity

1,000 J/kg·K0.24 BTU/lb·°F
1,100 J/kg·K0.26 BTU/lb·°F

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

9 µm/m·K5 µin/in·°F
55 µm/m·K30.6 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
210°C410 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

279°C534 °F
200°C392 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

50%
47%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

280°C536 °F
200°C392 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

—
219°C426 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

100 Ω·m3.94×10⁹ µΩ·in
1×10¹⁵ Ω·m3.94×10²² µΩ·in

Volume Resistivity

10,000 Ω·cm
1×10¹⁷ Ω·cm

Dielectric Strength

—
33 kV/mm838 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

—
3.15

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

—
0.0013

Surface Resistivity

—
1×10¹⁶ Ω

Comparative Tracking Index (CTI)

—
175 V

Chemical & Environmental

Corrosion and environmental resistance (0–100 scores).

UV / Weathering Resistance

60 / 100
35 / 100

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 85 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

45 / 100
65 / 100

Weldability

5 / 100
60 / 100

Formability (cold)

5 / 100
50 / 100

Polishability

55 / 100
80 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.1%
0.6%

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

350°C662 °F
370°C698 °F

Mold Temperature (typ.)

215°C419 °F
150°C302 °F

Melt Flow Rate

—
9 g/10 min

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

300 MJ/kg128,977 BTU/lb
250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

15 kg CO₂/kg
8.5 kg CO₂/kg

Embodied Water

—
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)

137 kN·m/kg
83 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

15.1 MN·m/kg
2.5 MN·m/kg

Thermal Diffusivity

0.4 mm²/s
0.2 mm²/s

Thermal Shock Resistance Index

1
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 1000

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityTorlon 7130Ultem 1000
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Torlon 7130 vs Ultem 1000 — frequently asked

Is Torlon 7130 stronger than Ultem 1000?

Yes. Torlon 7130 has a typical tensile strength of 203 MPa (29.4 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for Ultem 1000 — about 93% more.

Which is cheaper, Torlon 7130 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 is easier to machine, Torlon 7130 or Ultem 1000?

Ultem 1000. Its machinability rates good (65/100) against fair (45/100) for Torlon 7130; for welding the order is Ultem 1000 first (good, 60/100) then Torlon 7130 (not recommended, 5/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in Torlon 7130 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.