CNC Machining Materials

Ultem

At a glance

Processes

CNC Mill
CNC Lathe

Lead Time

As fast as 7 days

Colors

Naturally translucent amber color, frosted when machined

Tolerance

With drawing: as low as +/- 0.005 mm
No drawing: ISO 2768 medium

Price

$$$

Applications

Medical applications, electrical and electronics applications

About the Material

ULTEM 1000 is a translucent amber colored plastic with excellent durability, strength, stiffness and heat resistance. ULTEM 1000 may be selected over Nylon or Delrin because it has the highest dielectric properties. Common applications include industrial equipment, medical devices and electronics.

Material Properties

Yield Strength

17,000 PSI

Elongation at Break

40%

Hardness

Rockwell R111-R125

Density

0.046 lbs / cu. in

McMaster Part Number

7612k55

Material Finish

Ultem comes in a naturally translucent amber color. When machined, it is smooth and becomes slightly frosted. Additionally, ULTEM can be machined to a variety of surface roughnesses.

Design Recommendations

Min Wall Thickness

1.0 mm

Min End Mill Size

0.8 mm (0.03 in)

Min Drill Size

0.5 mm (0.02 in)

Max Part Size

1200 x 500 x 152 mm [x,y,z] (mill)
152 x 394 mm [d,h] (lathe)

Undercuts

Square profile, full radius, dovetail profiles

Radii : Depth

Depth must not exceed 12x drill bit diameter.
For end mills, depth must not exceed 10x tool diameter.

CNC Machining Ultem FAQs

What is Ultem used for?

Ultem is often used for components that require high strength and rigidity at high temperatures. Common uses for ULTEM include medical devices, electronics, and industrial equipment.

Can Ultem be used in 3D Printing?

ULTEM is a lightweight alternative for metal and a high-temperature option for 3D printing. The properties of ULTEM allow for the production of high-performance parts. ULTEM can be used to 3D print internal components, such as ductwork or electrical enclosures for ground vehicles and aircraft.

Does ultem have high dielectric strength?

Ultem is easily fabricated and bonded, has excellent electrical properties and chemical resistance. Among thermoplastic materials, Ultem has one of the highest dielectric strengths (830 volts/mil).

Can you vapor polish ultem?

Vapor polishing is a polishing method for clear plastics, such as Ultem and acrylics. It is an excellent choice for see-through applications and is capable of polishing internal features, such as threads and bores.

YOU MIGHT ALSO BE INTERESTED IN

Acrylic vs. Polycarbonate CNC Machining

Optically clear plastics like acrylic and polycarbonate are popular glass alternatives because they have excellent optical clarity (up to 92% visible light transmittance), and are lightweight, easy to machine, and cost-friendly.  This article discusses these two plastics and their general characteristics and applications — including the CNC machining requirements for acrylic and polycarbonate, and when […]

Learn More

9 Tips for Better Engineering Drawings that Save Time and Money

This article was revised by Tessa Axsom in September 2023 Even in 2023, with the rising popularity of model-based definitions, engineering drawings are still a great way to communicate design intent for CNC machined parts that require tight tolerances, material specifications, or other special requirements. That’s why many Fictiv customers in the robotics, aerospace, automotive, […]

Learn More