Meaning
Plastic housings manufactured from a high-performance thermoplastic polymer provide excellent impact resistance and weatherability for electronic devices deployed in harsh environments. A polycarbonate enclosure protects internal printed circuit boards from mechanical damage and exposure to ultraviolet radiation. The material properties allow for the transmission of radio signals, which makes this housing ideal for devices with internal antennas.
Impact Resistance
The high ductility of the polymer allows the housing to absorb significant energy during an impact without cracking. This toughness ensures that the internal electronics remain protected even if the device is dropped onto a hard surface.
RF Transmissivity
The dielectric properties of the plastic have a minimal effect on the performance of integrated antennas. Using a polycarbonate enclosure allows the radio signals to pass through the housing with very low attenuation. This capability eliminates the need for external antennas, which simplifies the mechanical design and reduces the risk of water ingress.
Environmental Sealing
The material can be molded with groove features to accommodate elastomeric gaskets that provide an airtight and watertight seal. These seals are essential for meeting high ingress protection ratings such as IP67, which require the device to withstand immersion in water. The chemical resistance of the polymer must be verified against the specific cleaning agents or industrial chemicals present in the deployment environment.
This verification ensures that the enclosure does not suffer from environmental stress cracking over its operational lifespan.
