How do I choose what material is suitable for my enclosure?
Think about the properties your enclosure needs in terms of application environment and use case. Some examples to consider are: Temperature, UV exposure, Impact resistance, Chemical resistance, Flexibility, Flammability.
Our primary materials are stated below:
ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene):
- Pros: Good impact resistance, easy to machine and mould, relatively inexpensive.
- Cons: Moderate UV resistance - may yellow over time with UV exposure.
- Best For: Indoor enclosures, general-purpose applications.
Polycarbonate (PC):
- Pros: Excellent impact resistance, high transparency, good UV resistance (UV-stabilized grades available).
- Cons: More expensive than ABS, can be prone to scratching.
- Best For: Outdoor enclosures, applications requiring transparency and high impact resistance.
Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate (ASA):
- Pros: Excellent UV and weathering resistance, good aesthetic and gloss finish levels.
- Cons: Commonly not UL94 FR rated (needs to be blended with PC).
- Best For: Outdoor enclosures.