Choosing Between Polycarbonate, ABS and Die-cast Aluminium
When selecting an enclosure, the first consideration is the material. They can be manufactured from a range of metals and plastics, each offering different benefits and your decision must be based on the surrounding environment.
Listed below are the advantages of three popular materials for industrial enclosures but it is not exhaustive, so if you require any additional information, please do not hesitate to call our technical department on 01724 273228.
Polycarbonate has many strengths and is the most common choice for a plastic enclosure. The main advantage is its resistance to weathering, if you require a plastic enclosure for outdoor placement, polycarbonate is an excellent cost effective option. Polycarbonate has good resistance to UV and oils, it can withstand extremely high and low temperatures and sustains high impact endurance. Just remember to select a sealed enclosure if the application is outdoors. Take a look at our IP66 polycarbonate enclosures here.
Other benefits:
- Transparent versions available
- Aesthetically pleasing finish
- Lightweight
- Excellent insulating properties
ABS enclosures are typically selected as a low cost option for indoor applications. They are suitable for mildly corrosive environments due to ABS’ good resistance to chemicals, but is also sturdy with good insulating properties. Machining with ABS is simple and the enclosures can often be painted in a comprehensive range of colours, which is ideal when they need to be prominent for emergency purposes or blend in with the environment. At Deltron Enclosures we can offer a range of general purpose ABS enclosures plus a range of IP66 ABS enclosures.
Other benefits:
- Lightweight
- High impact resistance
- Easy to install
- Cost effective when shipping
Die-Cast Aluminium boxes are extremely versatile, they are resistant to rust and can be obtained with a higher level of ingress protection than plastics can offer; therefore, they are more appropriate for demanding environments such as marine, water treatment or leisure. The key advantage of aluminium enclosures is their EMI/RFI protection, which is essential for areas with a high level of noise pollution. Deltron Enclosures also offers a range with enhanced EMI/RFI protection after designing a seal that maintains conductivity between the lid and box, and is essential to eliminate high frequency radiated emissions. Our die-cast aluminium enclosures are available in a range of sizes with protection from IP54 to IP68, plus an EMI/RFI protected series. View all our ranges here.
Other benefits:
- Corrosion and rust resistant
- Lighter compared to other metals such as stainless steel
- Suitable for demanding environments
- Can be coated for added resistance
Related Articles:
Four Considerations when Choosing an Electronic Enclosure
What is Ingress Protection (IP)?
Understanding NEMA Ratings
Article first published : 7|4|2017
