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Ultem 1000 vs Ultem 2300

Polymer · grade comparison

Ultem 1000 and Ultem 2300 are both polymer grades. Ultem 2300 is the stronger of the two: yield strength 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for Ultem 1000, about 61% more; tensile strength follows at 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) vs 105 MPa (15.2 ksi). In exchange, Ultem 1000 is the more ductile: elongation 60% versus 3% for Ultem 2300. Ultem 1000 is lighter (1.27 g/cm³ vs 1.51 g/cm³ for Ultem 2300) and Ultem 2300 is stiffer (9 GPa vs 3.2 GPa). On the shop floor, Ultem 1000 machines more easily (65 vs 55 out of 100) and Ultem 1000 welds better (good vs fair).

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

Ultem 2300Choose it when strength drives the design.

Ultem 1000 vs Ultem 2300: properties

Ultem 1000Ultem 2300

Mechanical

Strength, stiffness, ductility and hardness at room temperature.

Elastic (Young's) Modulus

3.2 GPa0.46 Msi
9 GPa1.3 Msi

Shear Modulus

1.2 GPa0.17 Msi
3.3 GPa0.48 Msi

Bulk Modulus

4 GPa0.55 Msi
—

Poisson's Ratio

0.36
0.37

Tensile Strength (Ultimate)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
169 MPa24.5 ksi

Yield Strength (0.2% offset)

105 MPa15.2 ksi
169 MPa24.5 ksi

Elongation at Break

60%
3%

Compressive Strength

140 MPa20.3 ksi
195 MPa28.3 ksi

Compressive Modulus

2.9 GPa0.42 Msi
7.5 GPa1.1 Msi

Flexural Strength

150 MPa21.8 ksi
230 MPa33.4 ksi

Flexural Modulus

3.3 GPa0.48 Msi
8.6 GPa1.2 Msi

Shear Strength

90 MPa13.1 ksi
100 MPa14.5 ksi

Fracture Toughness (K_IC)

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

Izod Impact, Notched

53 J/m0.99 ft·lbf/in
100 J/m1.9 ft·lbf/in

Hardness, Shore D

87 Shore D
90 Shore D

Hardness, Rockwell M

109 HRM
114 HRM

Hardness, Rockwell R

125 HRR
—

Physical

Density and transition temperatures.

Density

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

Water Absorption (24 h)

0.25%
0.22%

Water Absorption (Saturation)

1.25%
0.9%

Refractive Index

1.66
—

Light Transmission

78%
—

Same in both: Glass Transition (Tg) 217°C423 °F

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

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

Thermal Expansion (CTE, 20–100 °C)

55 µm/m·K30.6 µin/in·°F
20 µm/m·K11.1 µin/in·°F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 0.45 MPa

210°C410 °F
216°C421 °F

Heat Deflection Temp. @ 1.8 MPa

200°C392 °F
210°C410 °F

Limiting Oxygen Index

47%
50%

Same in both: Max Service Temperature (continuous) 170°C338 °F · Min Service Temperature -50°C-58 °F · Vicat Softening Point (B50) 219°C426 °F · Max Service Temperature (short-term) 200°C392 °F

Electrical

Conductivity and insulation.

Electrical Resistivity

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

Dielectric Strength

33 kV/mm838 V/mil
28 kV/mm711 V/mil

Dielectric Constant (1 MHz)

3.15
3.5

Dissipation Factor (1 MHz)

0.0013
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).

UV / Weathering Resistance

35 / 100
45 / 100

Same in both: Corrosion Resistance 85 / 100

Manufacturability

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

Machinability

65 / 100
55 / 100

Weldability

60 / 100
45 / 100

Formability (cold)

50 / 100
10 / 100

Polishability

80 / 100
40 / 100

Mold Shrinkage

0.6%
0.3%

Melt Flow Rate

9 g/10 min
6 g/10 min

Processing Melt Temperature (typ.)

370°C698 °F
380°C716 °F

Same in both: Mold Temperature (typ.) 150°C302 °F

Sustainability

Primary-production footprint per kilogram.

Embodied Energy (primary production)

250 MJ/kg107,481 BTU/lb
160 MJ/kg68,788 BTU/lb

Embodied Carbon (primary production)

8.5 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)

83 kN·m/kg
112 kN·m/kg

Specific Stiffness (E / density)

2.5 MN·m/kg
6 MN·m/kg

Modulus of Resilience

1,723 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 1000Ultem 2300

Manufacturing and finishing

CapabilityUltem 1000Ultem 2300
Default condition——
Relative cost$$$$ High$$$$ High
Min. machined wall——
Best machined surface——

Ultem 1000 vs Ultem 2300 — frequently asked

Is Ultem 2300 stronger than Ultem 1000?

Yes. Ultem 2300 has a typical yield strength of 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) against 105 MPa (15.2 ksi) for Ultem 1000 — about 61% more. Tensile strength is 169 MPa (24.5 ksi) vs 105 MPa (15.2 ksi).

Which is cheaper, Ultem 1000 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, Ultem 1000 or Ultem 2300?

Ultem 1000, by a small margin. Both rate good for machinability — 65/100 against 55/100 for Ultem 2300; for welding the order is Ultem 1000 first (good, 60/100) then Ultem 2300 (fair, 45/100).

Ready to make it?

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