IoT devices have become an integral part of numerous industries and are rapidly improving and disrupting traditional processes in almost every sector. The most essential parts inside an IoT device are the electronic components which are protected by an enclosure.
Selecting a suitable material for the enclosure is usually challenging for IoT companies and startups as they have to factor in characteristics of heat resistance, cost, rigidity, manufacturing complexity and many others.
ABS plastic has emerged as a preferred choice for IoT devices time and again, and this blog explores why.
What is ABS plastic?
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS full form) plastic is a thermoplastic polymer that offers favourable impact, chemical, and heat resistance characteristics. It is mainly used in injection moulding because of its temperature properties.
There are many reasons because of which it is used to manufacture enclosures:
#1 High impact resistance, rigidity, and durability
Butadiene in ABS plastic gives it toughness, rigidity, and strength, providing the enclosure with high impact resistance. This makes it durable and helps protect the electronic components of the IoT device.
#2 Competitive pricing
ABS plastic is one of the most cost-effective choices for companies, especially considering the scalability factor. In terms of material costs, it provides an edge over most other alternative plastics.
#3 High electrical insulation
Insulation is a must-have property considering the complexity of tiny electrical components within IoT devices. This property is also crucial from a safety perspective.
#4 Glossy surface finish (Aesthetics)
ABS plastic is usually considered best for indoor IoT devices, most of which are end-user products. Aesthetics play a significant role in these cases as consumers want aesthetic devices in their homes, and the styrene present in ABS plastic gives the enclosure a glossy, clear finish.
It can also be coloured easily.
#5 Low melting point, which gives it the much-needed weldability/moldability
The low melting point makes ABS plastic a preferred choice while manufacturing using the injection moulding or 3D printing process.
#6 Heat and chemical corrosion resistance
ABS plastic provides a nice layer of protection to keep electronic components safe and secure from heat and chemical corrosion because of its natural property of high heat and chemical corrosion resistance.
#7 Scratch and stain resistance
Another aspect of ABS plastic’s durability is scratch and stain resistance which makes it even more attractive for indoor use IoT devices.
Choosing a suitable material for your IoT device with Karkhana.io
ABS plastic is one of the most preferred choices for IoT device enclosures (like the ones used in the home automation industry) but might not be the best one in every case. Ideally, a company must factor in a lot of things before finalising the material for their IoT device.
We at Karkhana.io have helped many IoT companies manufacture enclosures by assisting them in deciding the material best suited to their needs. You should choose the material after consulting experienced engineers and manufacturing experts, which is what we help companies with before they start IoT manufacturing engagements with us.
We can help you select the best materials for your IoT enclosures based on the end-use case, cost, design considerations, and other requirements. We help you with all this using our digital manufacturing platform, which includes instant quotation for ABS plastic 3D printing, end-to-end project management, DfM feedback via our expert engineers, sharing project files within your organisation, viewing your CAD files, regular QC, audits of suppliers, logistics, payments, and more.
Want to build the best enclosures for your IoT device based on your business goals? Start by registering on our digital platform.
