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A more detailed description of these common plastics for electronic enclosures follows, including their uses, attributes, and considerations.
1. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)
ABS is one of the toughest thermoplastic polymers. ABS plastic sheeting is a low-cost investment that provides a durable solution for heavy-duty needs.
The automotive and refrigeration industries use ABS, and you can also find it in boxes, toys, luggage, and gauges.
Attributes
Flexible
Glossy
Polyamide (PA)
Highly processable
Ideal for enclosed rooms
Provides extreme resistance against impact
Provides electrical resistance
Provides resistance against many chemicals
Can be used at temperatures down to -4°F
Has a glass transition temperature of 105°F and a melting point of 392°F
Flame resistant to UL 94 HB
Easily custom colorable
Ranges in thickness from 200 microns to 5mm with a maximum 1600mm width
No known carcinogenic or other negative health effects
Considerations
Not ideal for outdoor electronic enclosures
Doesn’t have UV resistance, so cannot withstand exposure to sunlight
Loses strength with thin wall thicknesses
2. Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylester and Polycarbonate (ASA+PC Blend)
Combining Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylester (ASA) with the thermoplastic Polycarbonate (PC) allows it to withstand various stresses and high temperatures.
Unpainted automotive parts and injection molding often uses this blend. It also has flame-retardant applications.
Attributes
Provides excellent performance at both high and low temperatures
Provides increased impact strength
Provides good chemical resistance
Resistance to UV and moisture
Provides waterproof electronics enclosures with excellent moisture resistance
Flame-resistant to UL 94 V-0, which is the highest resistance level (self-extinguishing within 5-10 seconds)
3. Polyamide (PA)
Polyamides occur naturally in the proteins of wool and silk. Cable ties and power tool housings often use artificially-made polyamide plastics.
Attributes
Tough and wear-resistant
Slides well
Great electrical insulator
Considerations
Absorbs moisture and is not waterproof, so not ideal for humidity or if needing waterproof electronics enclosures
Affected by alcohols and acids
4. Polybutylene Terephthalate (PBT)
Plastic electrical enclosures with high-temperature applications often use PBT.
PBT is a thermoplastic polyester, commonly used in electrical engineering housings, automotive construction, and plug connectors.
Attributes
Resistant to chemicals
Resistant to stress
Excellent for high-temperature situations
Considerations
Crystalline
Shrink rate doesn’t allow the designer to switch easily to materials like PC or ABS
5. Polycarbonate (PC)
Polycarbonate is in the polyester family and is a highly popular thermoplastic because of its strength and flexibility for applications where metal is not appropriate.
Polycarbonate exists in products ranging from eyewear and bullet-proof glass to medical devices. It is also common in pipes that transport internal LED light to the outside.
Attributes
Transparent
Easily colorable
Extraordinary impact strength
High ultimate tensile strength and yield tensile strengths
Polycarbonate sheets are 30 times stronger than acrylic and 250 times stronger than glass.
Appropriate as plastics for outdoor use
UV-resistant
Withstands temperatures from -4°F to 284°F
Can be cut or cold-formed on site
Lightweight
Requires less structural support than glass
Considerations
Better when combined into ASA+PC-FR if permanent plastics for outdoor use are needed
Not recommended to use with strong alkalis
Oil- or alcohol-based chemicals can damage it.
PC contains BPA, which is not appropriate for all applications.
February 10, 2026
February 10, 2026
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February 10, 2026
February 10, 2026
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