Materials
Every engineering article on materials, newest first: specific questions from the plant floor and the panel shop, answered one at a time.
- Oct 30, 2026Wooden electronics enclosure safety for battery devicesAssess wooden electronics enclosure safety for 6 V battery devices, including fault heat, wood movement, finishes, battery access and safety evidence.Explainer
- Oct 30, 2026Thin plastic enclosure materials for small prototypesCompare thin plastic enclosure materials for 1-inch prototypes: styrene, ABS and acrylic, with wall thickness, drilling, bonding and joint space.Comparison
- Oct 30, 2026Spliced vs molded enclosure gaskets for IP67 sealingCompare spliced vs molded enclosure gaskets for IP67 sealing, including joint quality, compression, flange stiffness and repeat opening.Comparison
- Oct 30, 2026Silicone sealant corrosion testing for aluminum enclosuresScreen silicone sealant compatibility with aluminum and electronics using representative coupons, cure checks, adhesion tests and humidity cycling.How-to
- Oct 30, 2026Pressure sensor drift in metal housing: what to checkPressure sensor drift in metal housing can come from deposits, electrical coupling, mounting stress or reference pressure. Test each cause safely.Troubleshooting
- Oct 30, 2026Plastic vs metal electrical enclosure: which to chooseCompare plastic vs metal electrical enclosure choices for corrosion, impact, heat, bonding and shielding, then specify the right cabinet for the job.Comparison
- Oct 30, 2026PLA enclosure safety for a continuously powered PCBAssess PLA enclosure safety for a continuously powered 5 V PCB, including supply faults, cable heating, softening and material evidence.Explainer
- Oct 30, 2026PETG vs ASA outdoor enclosures: heat, UV and creepCompare PETG vs ASA outdoor enclosures by grade-specific heat data, creep, UV exposure and solar heating, then decide when a rated box is needed.Comparison
- Oct 30, 2026Magnesium enclosure coating specification checklistSpecify magnesium enclosure pretreatment, coating coverage and qualification tests for repeated disinfectant wiping, with clear acceptance criteria.Checklist
- Oct 30, 2026Heat damaged electrical enclosure: when to replace itA heat damaged electrical enclosure may lose its seal without a visible hole. Check the cover, gasket and entries, then replace damaged parts safely.Troubleshooting
- Oct 30, 2026Galvanized vs powder coated backplate: which to choose?Compare galvanized vs powder coated backplate finishes for bonding, corrosion, visibility and drilling, then specify the right mounting panel.Comparison
- Oct 30, 2026Fiberglass vs stainless steel enclosure for outdoor useCompare fiberglass vs stainless steel enclosure materials for outdoor electronics, including salt spray, sunlight, heat, grounding and seals.Comparison
- Oct 30, 2026Enclosure touch-up paint: repairing minor coating damageChoose compatible enclosure touch-up paint, repair small coating defects, and protect gaskets, bonding points and hardware during finish maintenance.How-to
- Oct 30, 2026Enclosure gasket chemical resistance above acid tanksDiagnose enclosure gasket chemical resistance above acid tanks, verify PTFE seal limits, and specify materials for the full enclosure assembly.Troubleshooting
- Oct 30, 2026Cracked plastic enclosure repair: when to replace itFor cracked plastic enclosure repair, identify the polymer, check broken bosses and sealing surfaces, and decide when replacement is safer.Troubleshooting
- Oct 30, 2026Carbon black enclosure cavity resonator: limits and lossesA carbon black enclosure cavity resonator can show resonance, but useful Q depends on RF conductivity, wall thickness, seams and dielectric loss.Explainer
- Oct 30, 2026Battery retention foam for a removable enclosure batteryChoose battery retention foam by compression, ageing, temperature and electrical compatibility, while preserving safe removal and swelling clearance.Selection guide
- Oct 30, 2026Anodized enclosure coating loss: causes and checksDiagnose anodized enclosure coating loss, separate faded dye from damaged oxide, assess cleaner residues, and decide when replacement is needed.Troubleshooting
- Oct 30, 2026Aluminum vs plastic UPS enclosure: production tradeoffsCompare aluminum vs plastic UPS enclosure designs for battery retention, insulation, fire performance, cooling, EMI control and production costs.Comparison
- Oct 29, 2026Red residue inside an enclosure: rust, clay or corrosion?Identify red residue in a wet enclosure: iron rust, clay from submersion or copper corrosion. A one-drop acid spot test tells them apart in minutes.Troubleshooting
- Oct 29, 2026Miniature enclosure molded knockouts vs stainlessMolded-knockout polycarbonate case or small stainless box with factory-cut gland holes: sealing, UV, washdown and cost compared, and which one to specify.Comparison
- Oct 29, 2026GRP vs stainless steel junction box selectionGRP or stainless for a junction box: how washdown, chemicals, sun, heat, impact and hazardous-area rules decide the material, and what to put on the order.Comparison
- Oct 28, 2026Junction box inspection checklist for corrosive areasInspection checklist for junction boxes in corrosive areas: gaskets, fasteners, glands, steel condition, inspection intervals and when to re-specify 316L.Checklist
- Oct 28, 2026Foam or rubber gasket for an enclosure door sealClosed-cell foam or solid rubber for a NEMA 4X door gasket: compression, latch force, washdown durability, aging, and how to specify it on a custom order.Comparison
- Oct 28, 2026Can 304 stainless be used outdoors in coastal air304 stainless survives many outdoor sites, but salt air pushes it toward 316L. How to choose grade, finish, fasteners and washing for a coastal enclosure.Selection guide
- Oct 28, 2026Aluminum vs stainless steel enclosure selectionCompare aluminum vs stainless steel enclosure weight, stiffness, heat transfer and corrosion, then specify the right metal for your environment.Comparison
Guide
304 vs 316L stainless
Alloy limits, chloride limits in ppm, coastal distance and road salt, a cleaner and chemical table, and how to keep either grade rust-free.
Read the guideGuide
Materials compared
Stainless, painted steel, aluminum, polycarbonate and fiberglass side by side: corrosion, UV, weight, stiffness, heat, wireless and cutting.
Read the guideGuide
Stainless steel guide
Gauge and thickness, No. 4 vs 2B finish, welded seams and heat tint, passivation, galvanic contact, field drilling and cleaning.
Read the guideGuide
Polycarbonate vs fiberglass
UV and f1 ratings, impact in the cold, temperature, chemicals, UL 94 flame classes, wireless signals and how each one cuts.
Read the guideRatings on this site are manufacturer ratings; not UL listed. NEMA does not test, certify or endorse enclosures.
