In case you need an enclosure for any indoor and outdoor applications, aside from stainless steel and aluminum enclosures, engineers can opt to using polycarbonate enclosure. It is lightweight, incredibly versatile and rugged enclosures can can fit to many possible company applications.

To take a closer look, here are the benefits, features, and common applications for polycarbonate enclosures:

What are the benefits of polycarbonate enclosures?

  1. Durable – polycarbonate enclosures are made of a material which is designed to withstand high temperature applications. Aside from that, it is UV resistant and can also resist other possible chemical reactions. Because of this, this is very ideal for outdoor applications and purposes.
  2. Lightweight – polycarbonate enclosures are lightweight and it is easy to carry them around
  3. Customizable – polycarbonate enclosures are durable and it can handle different customizations and it is easy to add cutouts
  4. Cost-efficient – aside from the fact that they are durable and strong material for enclosures, compare to its metal counterparts, polycarbonate are an affordable material for enclosures.
  5. Protection from ingress and corrosion – polycarbonate enclosures can protect equipment from any kind of ingress (water, dust, rain) and it prevents corrosion from forming.

Common Applications for Polycarbonate Enclosures

Aside from being a very versatile enclosure, it can fit to several applications. From wastewater plants to paper manufacturing plants, engineers can use this enclosure to wide variety of applications:

  1. Wastewater treatment plants – these companies use electronic equipment that use signals to transmit data and information from the machinery to the main data center. Polycarbonate enclosures are a perfect fit for this type of application because it blocks UV rays and allows transmission of signals. It can protect the equipment from moisture and it is lightweight. Enabling the engineers to modify the enclosures depending on different type of needs.
  2. Solar Power Plants – Because of their ability to withstand and have high tolerance for high temperature environments, polycarbonate enclosures are a perfect fit for this application. Aside from this, it can also withstand UV radiation as well as blowing dust and ingress of dirt and rain.
  3. Marine offshore applications – since polycarbonate enclosures can precent corrosion and is lightweight, it can also be used for marine offshore applications. Since in this industry, processes are done near sea side, it is important to have enclosures that can protect equipment from any possible damage. Polycarbonate enclosures can also be submerged temporarily in water.
  4. Manufacturing Plants – in this industry, enclosure should be corrosion and heat resistant. In for example pulp and paper plants, chemicals and mechanical processes can make the environment extremely hot and moist. This can damage the equipment if not protected properly by an enclosure. In this environment, corrosion can happen anytime thus it is crucial that the material used can prevent corrosion.

In conclusion, polycarbonate materials is a perfect alternative if companies want a cost-efficient and effective enclosure. But it cannot be said that these type of enclosures can replace stainless steel and aluminum ones. There are pros and cons in using polycarbonate enclosures and proper knowledge about this can equip design engineers when making their decision.