Another issue we commonly address here at Polycase is the specific heat tolerance of our plastic electronic enclosures for use in high-heat applications. Whether the heat source comes from hot running components within the enclosure or from process heat and flames created without, having plastic enclosures capable of enduring high temperatures can be vital in some applications. We recognize how important heat resistance is in certain applications, and our enclosures are available in materials that offer a range of heat resistances.
Nearly all of our electronic enclosure series are molded from a flame-retardant ABS polymer resin. This standard material has high heat resistance, with a melting point of 80 degrees Celsius, or 176 degrees Fahrenheit. Combined with the polymer’s flame-retardant properties, standard ABS plastic electronic enclosures are an effective, cost-efficient choice for most applications.
However, for extremely high heat applications, we do offer other materials. Most of our standard electronic enclosures can be molded in NORYL resin instead of the standard ABS resin. NORYL is a polymer material designed specifically to withstand high heat; our NORYL electronic enclosures have a melting point of 95 degrees Celsius, or 203 degrees Fahrenheit. Because NORYL is a specialty material, NORYL enclosures generally require an order minimum.
For applications with heat exceeding 203 degrees Fahrenheit, we do offer an alternative to both ABS and NORYL materials. Our WC clear-lidded enclosure series and our WP opaque series are made from flame retardant, impact-resistant Polycarbonate. Suggested service temperatures for these enclosures range from -40 degrees Celsius to 120 degrees Celsius, equivalent to -40 to 248 degrees Fahrenheit. These polycarbonate enclosures offer additional advantages, particularly for outdoor applications, due to Polycarbonate’s ability to deflect heat expansion and withstand extreme fluctuation in temperature without cracking.
For more information regarding material availability in specific standard enclosures, feel free to contact our customer service representatives.