Ultem® Plastic Machining

Ultem Plastic Machining

For machined parts requiring added strength, engineers turn to Ultem®. This high-performance thermoplastic is considered one of the best for exhibiting excellent strength and stiffness. Ultem® also maintains great dimensional stability at high temperatures (200°C).

Engineers turn to this material when they need parts machined for demanding applications in the Aerospace industry for aircraft and spacecraft and in Medical industry applications requiring repeated sterilization cycles.

As is the case with many high-performing plastics, understanding the machining characteristics of Ultem® is critical to producing a precision part. Many companies machine Ultem, but it’s critical to work with one that knows how to manage stresses in the material to achieve complex tight tolerance parts.

Why You Should Choose Upland Fab for Ultem® 2300 Plastic Machined Parts

Upland Fab has over 50 years of experience machining Ultem® and other high-performing plastics. We have the quality-driven processes, technology, and equipment needed to achieve the right results.

We create machined parts from Ultem® 2300, a 30% glass fiber reinforced grade. Understanding the abrasiveness and stress properties is even more important when working in this material. Upland Fab machines Ultem 2300 regularly, giving us the experience needed to machine your part correctly the first time.

  • Multi-axis machining helps us achieve precise tolerances and ensures your parts are machined correctly the first time with minimal handling and fixturing. Often, even the most complex parts are completed in a single operation.
  • Digital Product Definition (DPD/MBD) processes allow us to machine complex Ultem® parts directly from your CAD models. Working directly from CAD models reduces errors and improves accuracy, resulting in decreased costs for your project.
  • First-rate communication is a top priority. You’ll have a single point of contact throughout the entire project, giving you constant updates as your project moves forward.

Give us a call at 909-986-6565 to discuss applications for Ultem® machined parts or get a project started today.

Ultem® Thermoplastic Material Properties

Ultem thermoplastic resin comes in several options to meet varying thermal, electrical, physical, and mechanical performance needs. Learn more about Ultem’s different material properties below.

Properties of Ultem® Plastic

TYPICAL PROPERTIES of Ultem®
ASTM or UL test Property
Ultem® 1000
Ultem® 2100

Ultem® 2200

Ultem® 2300
PHYSICAL
D792 Ultem® Density (lb/in³) (g/cm³) 0.046
1.28
0.048
1.34
0.051
1.42
0.051
1.42
D570 Water Absorption of Ultem®, 24hrs (%)

0.25

0.21

0.19

0.18

D570 Ultem Water Absorption, Saturation (%)

1.25

1.2

1.1

0.9

MECHANICAL
D638

Ultem® Tensile Strength (psi)

16,500

16,800

16,900

17,000

D638 Ultem® Tensile Modulus (psi) 500,000 650,000 700,000 800,000
D638

Tensile Elongation at Break (%)

80

6

3

3

D790 Flexural Strength of Ultem® (psi)

20,000

23,000

25,000

27,000

D790

Flexural Modulus (psi)

500,000

-

-

850,000

D695 Compressive Strength of Ultem® (psi) 22,000 24,000 28,000 32,000
D695 Compressive Modulus (psi) 480,000 - - 625,000
D785 Ultem® Hardness, Rockwell M122/R125 M114/R127 M114/R127 M114/R127
D256 IZOD Impact Notched (ft-lb/in) 0.5 0.6 0.8 1
THERMAL
D696 Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion for Ultem
(x10-5 in./in./°F)
3.1 1.8 1.4 1.1
D648 Heat Deflection Temp (°F/°C)
at 264 psi for Ultem
400 / 204 405 / 207 408 / 208 410 / 210
D3418 Glass Transition Temp (°F/°C) 410 / 210 410 / 210 410 / 210 410 / 210
- Max Continuous Operating Temp of Ultem® (°F/°C) 340 / 171 340 / 171 340 / 171 340 / 171
C177 Thermal Conductivity
(BTU-in/ft²-hr-°F)
(x10-4 cal/cm-sec-°C)

0.85
2.93

1.22
4.2

1.43
4.93

1.56
5.37
UL94 Flammability Rating of Ultem® V-0 V-0 V-0 V-0
ELECTRICAL
D149 Dielectric Strength of Ultem® (V/mil) short time, 1/8" thick 830 - - 770
D150 Dielectric Constant at 1 MHz 3.15 3.5 3.5 3.7
D150 Dissipation Factor at 1 MHz 0.0013 0.0014 0.0015 0.0015
EOS/ESD S11.11 Surface Resistivity (ohms/square)  10^13 10^13 10^13 10^13

 

CNC Technologies for Machining Ultem® Plastic

Upland Fab employs the use of multi-axis machining when working with Ultem®. This application of technology is critical to ensuring the parts are machined correctly the first time with minimal handling and fixturing. Often times even the most complex parts are completed in a single operation.

Digital Product Definition or DPD/MBD processes allow Upland Fab to machine complex Ultem® parts directly from our customers’ CAD models. Working directly from CAD models lets us reduce errors and improve accuracy, which results in decreased costs for our customers.

Other High-Performance Materials We Work With

Are you looking for another material? Here’s a look at some of the other plastics we work with. 

 

  • Celazole®
  • TECASINT™ PI
  • Duratron®
  • PPS
  • Ketron®
  • Ryton®
  • TECATRON™
 
 

 

Discover the Upland Fab Edge and Contact Us Today!

Experience the difference of working with an industry-leading plastic machining company. Contact Upland Fab or submit a Request for Quote to discuss your upcoming Ultem machining project.

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Precision Plastic and Composite CNC Machining

Precision Plastic and Composite
CNC Machining since 1970.

Precision Plastic and Composite CNC Machining
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