• 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

Pros & Cons of Plastic v Metal for Custom Enclosures

10 April 2022

Plastic vs Metal for Custom enclosures

As enclosure specialists, we’re often asked… ‘What’s better for enclosures, metal or plastics?’ Well, whichever you choose each has its pros and cons which are worth knowing about in advance.

And which material you select for your next enclosure project will depend largely on what you need it for, where it will be used, what you are willing to compromise on and how many you are looking to produce.

Pros for plastic enclosures:

The term “plastic” is a blanket term that typically covers many different materials, including ABS, HIPS, PC, PVC and acrylics.

  • Plastic enclosures can be more cost-effective and lighter than metal.
  • Custom plastic housings generally weight less than their metal counterparts.
  • Plastic cases are electrically insulated whereas metals are good conductors so plastic boxes, unlike a metal box, would not need to be grounded. Grounding a metal box takes more time and expense.
  • Also, often plastic enclosures have PCB slots integrated into them which can make the assembly of the components easier and quicker than screws and studs associated with metal units.
  • Plastics have a clean surface with no sharp edges or corners. They look professional and work well where aesthetics are important.
  • Flame retardant plastics can be used where necessary, and if a metallised coating is needed for EMC purposes, then plastic housings can be sprayed with Nickel, copper or silver coatings.

Cons of plastic enclosures:

  • Some plastics are not suitable for long term outdoor use.
  • Plastics have limited chemical resistance relative to metal.
  • When absolute strength is needed then metal will be harder to damage or vandalise than plastic.

Pros for metal enclosures:

  • Metal is fire resistant and in some simple designs can be cheaper than plastic.
  • A metal housing is also stronger over a plastic case.

Cons of metal enclosures:

  • They tend to be more expensive and heavier than plastic enclosures. Metal enclosures also have sharp edges and have to be painted, which adds to the cost of the enclosure.
  • Metal can also be difficult to work with and shape. Shaping a metal part can require die work, welding, grinding, rework, or bending to achieve design specifications and desired look, which can be limiting. Metal also needs to be earthed, given its conductivity which can present safety issues.
  • Metal can get hot to the touch, which may be dangerous.

Check out our FAQs about custom enclosure manufacturing.

Plastic v Metal for Custom Enclosures the Conclusion…

It seems that it is entirely dependent on the application and your budget as in reality, both are possible solutions. Questions around the application, quantity and the environment in which it will be used will all influence the decision made.

If you would like to discuss any aspect raised in this article, please contact CDT, the UK’s leading plastic enclosure experts on 01280 845530.

Filed Under: Enclosure, News

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