Ultem is a popular high strength plastic resin, ideal for parts that require strength and excellent thermal and dielectric properties. It has an extremely high resistance to heat and moisture and can withstand multiple cycles in hot water or steam. Ultem also has one of the highest dielectric strengths of any thermoplastic, making it suitable for applications in the aerospace and electronics industries.
Ultem has a machining cost factor of 0.7 when compared to steel 12L14/
Type | General Characteristics | Alloy | Common Applications | Tolerances for a 1/2" Dia. Bar | Material Cost Factor | Machining Cost Factor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Plastics |
One of the highest dielectric strengths of any thermoplastic
|
ULTEM |
Aerospace and electronics components
|
+.002-000 | 16.5 | .7 |
Type | General Characteristics | Alloy | Common Applications | Tolerances for a 1/2" Dia. Bar | Material Cost Factor | Machining Cost Factor |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Steel |
Designed for excellent machinability. Case hard only
|
12L14 |
Endless commercial products; probably more pounds used in turned products than any other bar stock
|
Cold drawn 0 |
1 | 1 |
Stainless Steel |
Designed for machining, non-magnetic
|
303 |
Electronic hardware, automotive, aerospace, medical instruments, and many applications requiring corrosion resistance
|
Cold finished +/- .002 |
1.9 | 2.7 |
Brass |
Strength, corrosion and wear resistance, and excellent machinability
|
C35300 |
Well suited for parts with knurling or threading
|
+0015 | 3.5 | .07 |
Aluminum |
Designed for machining
|
2011 |
Electronic hardware, endless commercial products
|
Cold finish +/-.0015 |
3.8 | .6 |
Titanium |
High strength, light weight, good bio-compatibility
|
Ti-6Al-4VEli |
Medical implants
|
Ground & polished +/-.002 |
30.2 | 6 |
To review our Machining Materials Guide, please click here.