• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

01280 845530 sales@cdt123.com Request Quote

Custom Design Technolgies (CDT)

Custom Design Technolgies (CDT)

Custom Plastic Enclosures and Boxes

  • Home
  • About
    • Our Team
      • Our Ethos
    • Customer Comments
    • Our Services
      • Why use Us?
      • Custom Enclosure Solutions
      • Custom Plastic Design
      • Plastic Fabrication
    • FAQs
    • Careers
    • Privacy Policy
  • Custom Enclosure Type
    • Din Rail Enclosure
    • Rack Mount Enclosures
    • Wall Mount Enclosure
    • Screen Enclosures
    • Tablet Enclosures
    • LCD Display Enclosures
    • ABS Enclosures
    • Clear Plastic Cases
    • IP Rated Enclosures
      • Waterproof Enclosure
    • PCB Enclosures
    • Instrument Enclosures
    • Custom Size Boxes
  • Applications
    • Custom Electronic Enclosures
    • Custom Industrial Enclosures
    • Custom Electrical Enclosures
    • Custom Raspberry Pi Enclosures
  • Plastic Prototype Fabrication
  • PCB Assembly
    • PCB Custom Assembly UK
    • PCB Assembly FAQs
  • Case Studies
  • News
  • Contact

Tips for Selecting the Right Type of Plastic for your next Enclosure

10 May 2019

Tips for Selecting the Right Type of Plastic for your next Enclosure

There are many different types of plastic available for enclosures. The plastic type and thickness you decide to use will depend on many factors including the design, manufacturing method, budget, and usage.

There are a few aspects you may want to take into consideration when selecting the plastic for your next enclosure project. They include:

Impact resistance

Generally, more brittle types with low impact resistance are avoided for enclosures (for example amorphous grades like PS, PSU, SAN) as they tend to lack overall toughness. We find that ABS is a popular choice as it’s highly impact resistant. HIPs are also popular and known for their impact resistance which remains good also in low temperatures.

The effect of temperature on the enclosure

Depending on where and how the enclosure is to be used, temperature may be important when selecting a material. At elevated temperatures plastic tends to have a higher impact resistance (to a limit), but when it is lowered, plastic tend to turn stiffer. As the modulus of the material is increased, some toughness is lost. Amorphous plastics do this gradually but semi-crystalline materials might turn from ductile to brittle very suddenly as the temperature goes below their Tg.  Each plastic material has its own characteristics so best check suitability.

Impact fatigue

Resistance against fatigue also needs to ba taken into consideration. Some plastic products might withstand single shocks well, but fail with repeated impact, even with smaller energy level. Amorphous materials are considered more sensitive to impact fatigue than semi-crystalline, as is the case with normal fatigue.

Reinforcement

Reinforcements can be tricky when it comes to impact resistance. Whilst the increased strength from reinforcing plastic is a benefit, high stiffness can reduce toughness.

Geometry

The geometry can affect impact resistance depending on the material selected. A compromise in material impact resistance does not necessarily mean loss of ductility for your product, however, while even the toughest material fails if the product is not properly designed so do ask advice from your designer.

If you would like to discuss any aspect of plastic enclosure material choices raised in this article please contact us or call us on 01280 845530.

Filed Under: Enclosure, News Tagged With: Top tips for choosing the right plastic

Primary Sidebar

Custom Plastic Enclosure Fabricators UK

Custom Enclosures Solutions:

  • Plastic prototype fabrication
  • Custom electronic enclosures
  • Custom industrial enclosures
  • Custom electrical enclosures
  • Custom Raspberry Pi enclosures
  • IP rated enclosures
  • Plastic enclosure applications
  • Assembly
  • FAQs

Recent Posts

  • CNC Plastic Machining Prototype Developed
  • Bespoke Raspberry Pi Weatherproof Enclosure
  • 2025 Trends in the UK Plastics Enclosure Market
  • Custom Electronic Enclosure Manufacturering
  • Custom PCB Enclosures Expertise

Footer

Bespoke plastic enclosures…

Electronic housings and boxes
IP rated and waterproof enclosures
Waterproof boxes for electronics
Raspberry Pi cases
Control panel enclosures
Wall mount enclosure cabinets
Custom din rail enclosures
Custom rack mount enclosures
Electrical boxes and cabinets
Instrument enclosures
Clear plastic cases

About CDT…

Plastic fabrication specialists, established in 1986, we design, prototype and manufacture high-quality custom plastic enclosures in the UK for:

Machined plastic prototypes
Electronic housings
Electrical enclosures
Marine electronic enclosures
Industrial enclosures
Raspberry Pi casings

 

Contact us…

Phone: 01280 845530
Email: sales@cdt123.com

Address: Unit B, Nigel Court, Ward Road, Brackley, NN13 7LF, England, UK

Business Hours: Mon – Fri 8:00am – 5:00pm

  • Facebook
  • LinkedIn
  • Twitter

CDT is part of the discoverIE plc Group of companies
Copyright © 2025 Custom Design Technologies Ltd | Privacy Policy | Sitemap