PVC Enclosures
Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) enclosures are containers constructed of tough plastic that can stand up to a variety of environmental elements. They are often used to house pieces of technology in many different settings. PVC is a preferred material for many types of enclosures because it is so resilient. It can resist many different kinds of acid, alkali, and salt corrosion, as well as being able to withstand a beating from the elements for extended periods without any kind of degradative effects.
PVC can be found in many industrial settings, including e-waste facilities, power plants, and phone company offices. The material is used to make the enclosures for all kinds of electrical equipment. It is the plumbers' tape of our times, being used to wrap around something that needs sealing, like a telephone box or a wastewater treatment plant. But if you look around, you will also find it used in outdoor applications, from street light boxes to electric signs.
PVC is an ideal material for the engineering of enclosures because it combines high strength with good resilience. It can, therefore, withstand a variety of impacts and different forms of harshness that might otherwise damage the enclosure or the infrastructure it is intended to protect. Its high resistance to degradation from corrosion, oxidation, and other forms of chemical attack also make it a perfect choice for many applications.
Subcategories
Products
Non-Metallic Enclosure Types
Characteristics of non-metallic enclosures:
NEMA 4x rating for outdoor use providing chemical resistance and protection from dust, debris, water and rain.
High insulation value, which provides insulation from cold and hot temperatures, but does not dissipate heat from inside the enclosure.
Non-conductive, meaning components cannot be grounded to the enclosure, but it still provides the same security and tamper resistance levels as metallic enclosures when properly locked.
Types of non-metallic enclosures:
Fiberglass
A thermoset polyester material reinforced with glass fibers. It is the most widely used non-metallic material in the industry. It has high impact strength and rigidity (dimensional stability), a superior working temperature range (-31˚F to 300˚F), excellent electrical properties, moisture and chemical resistance, as well as being cost effective.
Polycarbonate
High-performance thermoplastic resin processed by injection molding or sheet extrusion. It has superior impact resistance, good rigidity (dimensional stability), an extended temperature range (-31˚F to 180˚F), excellent electrical properties, fire retention, UV stability and corrosion resistance in some acidic surroundings. It is not suitable for environments with strong alkalis and organic solvents.
ABS or ABS blends
Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene is a common thermoplastic polymer processed by injection molding. It has high impact resistance, but less impact resistance in cold weather compared to polycarbonate, excellent electrical properties, superior chemical and moisture resistance, but a narrower temperature range than fiberglass (-40˚F to 248˚F).
Polyester
High-performance unfilled thermal plastic processed by injection molding. It has high impact resistance, but less impact resistance in cold weather than polycarbonate, excellent electrical properties, superior chemical and moisture resistance, but a narrower temperature range than fiberglass (-40˚F to 248˚F).