Materials / ULTEM CNC Machining

ULTEM CNC Machining Service


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CNC Machined Plastics

About ULTEM for CNC Machining

ULTEM is one of the most widely used engineering plastics. It generally comes in two forms: plasticized and unplasticized ULTEM. Unplasticized ULTEM is used in rigid parts like pipes and fittings. CNC machining in ULTEM is generally done with this rigid version of the material. Plasticized ULTEM is used in applications that require flexibility like cables or small tubes. The production of ULTEM uses fewer nonrenewable raw materials by volume than most other plastics, making it one of the greenest plastics available. CNC machining in ULTEM is similar to that of other engineering plastics, and thanks to its rigidity and hardness, it machines relatively easily.


ULTEM material, or polyvinyl chloride, is an engineering plastic with excellent ultraviolet (UV) resistance, insulating properties, and resistance to moisture ingress. It is a popular choice for piping and construction materials, as well as for the electrical, energy, and medical industries. You can select ULTEM as a material for CNC machining in the FlagShip Instant Quoting Engine℠.

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ULTEM CNC machining

Generic ULTEM 1000

Machining ULTEM 1000 allows for a wide array of applications that take advantage of this material’s exceptional properties. Thanks to it's high strength and ability to operate at high temperatures; it is a great material for aerospace applications. It is also hydrophobic and stable when exposed to steam or boiling water, making it suitable for components in reusable medical devices. While generally resistant to a broad range of chemicals, care does need to be taken with certain types, such as strong bases and some halogenated solvents, which can attack the material. ULTEM 1000 is also known for it's exceptional dielectric strength, making it one of the best options for demanding electrical applications.





General ULTEM 1000 Properties

Tensile Strength, Yield (MPa) Elongation at Break (%) Hardness (Rockwell M) Heat Deflection Temperature (°C) at 0.46 MPa Glass Transition Temperature (°C)
90-110 MPa 62-82 109 182-220 210-215




Finishes

ULTEM parts are available in a natural translucent to opaque amber color, depending on grade. Black is also available.


As Machined: ULTEM is easily machined and can achieve smooth surface finishes comparable to 125 uin Ra finish or better. Bead Blast: Any undesirable tool marks may be removed by mechanically abrading the surface with glass beads.
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Cost-saving Design Tips ULTEM is a relatively inexpensive engineering plastic, however, to further save on machining costs, try the following:

Sub-assemblies: ULTEM for machining is supplied in either sheet or bar stock. As such, when CNC machining in ULTEM, it is important to design parts with standard sizes in mind. Large parts machined from a single block of ULTEM can become prohibitively expensive. Instead, consider designing separate sub-assemblies that will later bolt together or get fused via plastic welding. Tolerancing: Achieving extra-tight tolerances with plastics like ULTEM can be challenging. We recommend only calling out tolerances tighter than +/- 0.005" for critical features to reduce the increased scrap, cost, and lead times associated with tight tolerances. Consistent features: ULTEM is available as sheet or bar stock in varying sizes. Plan on your design such that you can create components from these stock sizes and assemble them later into the final part. ULTEM glues are easy to obtain and can be used to cost-effectively create complex parts from multiple sub-assemblies.
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