Most of the electronics people see in their everyday lives have some amount of plastic in them. It’s difficult to find a modern electronic that doesn’t use some plastic pieces in the casing or internal mechanisms. If you’re wondering the question of “why plastic is so common in consumer electronics and what makes it a good material?” you’re going to want to stick around for the information below.
Great Electrical Insulator
Electronics require materials that won’t conduct electricity to keep the user safe from internal electrical signals. Plastic is a good option, as its high electrical resistance makes it difficult for electricity to impact the user. Manufacturers often times need to follow certain safety guidelines in order to release a product to the general public and plastic is a great way for that product to meet these guidelines. Essentially this is why it’s so popular when it comes to casing material.
Good With High Temperatures
Electronics can heat up as they operate, which can make them dangerous if the materials in the device can’t handle the heat or conduct heat too well. Luckily, many plastics can withstand the heat from most electronic devices while offering the protection necessary for the user. Look at it as a cheap option to avoid injuries.
Durable Material
Another reason why plastic is such a great material for consumer electronics is that it’s durable. While it may not be as strong as metal, plastic can withstand a lot of wear and can hold its shape for a long time. This is very important for consumer items, as people will put their devices—smartphones, tablets, and even laptops—through a lot.
Cheap To Produce
As mentioned above, the ultimate reason why plastic is a good choice for consumer electronics is that it’s cheap to produce. The material is easy to make and highly malleable, which is perfect for items with highly accurate designs. The inexpensive production makes plastic an ideal material for consumer electronics and industries that rely on plastic fabrication.
Now these are just a few reasons why so many electronics use plastic, but the list can go on for days. You can count on the right plastic to make a great casing for numerous electrical devices at an affordable rate. For this reason, you might even want to consider plastic as an ideal material for your own products too!
About Dan Coconate
Dan Coconate is a local Chicagoland freelance writer who has been in the industry since graduating from college in 2019. He currently lives in the Chicagoland area where he is pursuing his multiple interests in journalism.
