aluminum vrs Plexiglas and Lexan

[Dave Boland]

I will be replacing a front panel with some switches, etc.
on it ans was wondering if anyone could point me to a
comparison of the three materials? I'm interested in the
plastics because they are non-conducting, but I know they
are not as strong. Couldn't find a good comparison so far.

Thanks,
Dave

 

[Chuck Olson]

I will be replacing a front panel with some switches, etc.
on it ans was wondering if anyone could point me to a
comparison of the three materials? I'm interested in the
plastics because they are non-conducting, but I know they
are not as strong. Couldn't find a good comparison so far.

Thanks,
Dave

Hi, Dave,

My favorite is Lexan (polycarbonate) - - it is tough, rather than brittle,
the way styrene and acrylic plastic are. Take a piece of Lexan an inch wide
and 1/8" thick and try to break it in half - - you'll be surprised. It can
be drilled, sawed and machined with much less of a tendency to melt than
Plexiglas (acrylic plastic). If I see ANY polycarbonate sheet plastic at the
flea market or in the scrap bin at TAP Plastics, I buy it up - - extremely
useful. For a front panel, you'll probably want to get a product that is
heavily tinted or black - - unless you are proud of what's behind the panel
and want to jazz it up with colored LED's, as in some of the transparent
computer cases on the market.

Good luck

Chuck

 

[martin griffith]

I will be replacing a front panel with some switches, etc.
on it ans was wondering if anyone could point me to a
comparison of the three materials? I'm interested in the
plastics because they are non-conducting, but I know they
are not as strong. Couldn't find a good comparison so far.

Thanks,
Dave

Al keeps a lot of electromagnetic crap out, Plexi and Lexan dont.

It all depends on what you have behind the front panel




martin

 

[Joerg]

Hello Dave,

Personal opinion: I always go for the metal. Keeps EMI in as Martin
said, can (somehow...) be labeled, looks more professional. Also, a deep
scratch on Lexan can't really be polished away anymore. Neither can it
be done on aluminum but it doesn't look as bad if that happens.

Regards, Joerg