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TP-PI vs Ultem 2300

Polymer · grade comparison

TP-PI and Ultem 2300 are both polymer grades. Ultem 2300 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) against 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) for TP-PI, about 88% more; tensile strength follows at 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) vs 92 MPa (13.3 ksi). In exchange, TP-PI is the more ductile: elongation 40% versus 3% for Ultem 2300. TP-PI is lighter (1.33 g/cm³ vs 1.51 g/cm³ for Ultem 2300) and Ultem 2300 is stiffer (9 GPa vs 2.9 GPa). On the shop floor, Ultem 2300 welds better (fair vs poor).

TP-PIChoose 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.

TP-PI vs Ultem 2300: properties

TP-PIUltem 2300

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

2.9 GPa0.42 Msi
9 GPa1.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

1.1 GPa0.15 Msi
3.3 GPa0.48 Msi

Bulk Modulus

4 GPa0.58 Msi
—

Poisson's Ratio

0.38
0.37

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

92 MPa13.3 ksi
169 MPa24.5 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

90 MPa13.1 ksi
169 MPa24.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

40%
3%

Compressive Strength

130 MPa18.9 ksi
195 MPa28.3 ksi

Compressive Modulus

2.8 GPa0.41 Msi
7.5 GPa1.1 Msi

Flexural Strength

130 MPa18.9 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Flexural Modulus

3 GPa0.44 Msi
8.6 GPa1.2 Msi

Shear Strength

78 MPa11.3 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

55 J/m1 ft·lbf/in
100 J/m1.9 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

88 Shore D
90 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

100 HRM
114 HRM

Hardness, Rockwell R

125 HRR
—

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

1.33 g/cm³0.05 lb/in³
1.51 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%
0.22%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

1.2%
0.9%

Refractive Index

1.7
—

Thermal

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

Thermal Conductivity

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

Specific Heat Capacity

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

50 µm/m·K27.8 µin/in·°F
20 µm/m·K11.1 µin/in·°F

Max Service Temperature (continuous)

240°C464 °F
170°C338 °F

Min Service Temperature

-269°C-452 °F
-50°C-58 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

250°C482 °F
216°C421 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

238°C460 °F
210°C410 °F

Vicat Softening Point (B50)

255°C491 °F
219°C426 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

47%
50%

Max Service Temperature (short-term)

300°C572 °F
200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Dielectric Strength

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

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

3.2
3.5

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.002
0.0022

Same in both: Electrical Resistivity 1×10¹⁴ Ω·m3.94×10²¹ µΩ·in · 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).

Corrosion Resistance

88 / 100
85 / 100

UV / Weathering Resistance

60 / 100
45 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

60 / 100
55 / 100

Weldability

25 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

25 / 100
10 / 100

Polishability

60 / 100
40 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

1.4%
0.3%

Melt Flow Rate

3 g/10 min
6 g/10 min

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

410°C770 °F
380°C716 °F

Mold Temperature (typ.)

200°C392 °F
150°C302 °F

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

500 L/kg59.9 gal/lb
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)

69 kN·m/kg
112 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2.2 MN·m/kg
6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,397 kJ/m³
1,587 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 2300TP-PI

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityTP-PIUltem 2300
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

TP-PI vs Ultem 2300 — frequently asked

Is Ultem 2300 stronger than TP-PI?

Yes. Ultem 2300 has a typical yield strength of 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) against 90 MPa (13.1 ksi) for TP-PI — about 88% more. Tensile strength is 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) vs 92 MPa (13.3 ksi).

Which is cheaper, TP-PI 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 is easier to machine, TP-PI or Ultem 2300?

TP-PI, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 60/100 against 55/100 for Ultem 2300; for welding the order is Ultem 2300 first (fair, 45/100) then TP-PI (poor, 25/100).

Ready to make it?

Upload a CAD file and FabDigit prices the part in TP-PI 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.