Case Study! HMI AutomaticDirect Display Model EA3-S3ML

The product is designated as indoor use only, that being said, there is a composite weather seal on the units edge, therefore any additional material needed to be weather resistant. The original component was shipped with Aluminium brackets that tended to be weak at the thin points on the metal. Aluminium can also be conductive which is bad for an electrical component with a poly propylene plastic housing that degrades quickly and corrodes with time. So the material needed to be comparable in strength to the aluminium part, non-conductive and corrosion resistant.  

Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene with a post process treatment of acid vapor suited this application well. ABS performs well in the weather and the vapor treatment ensured a water tight seal on the component. The structural properties are suitable for this low risk application and the patent pending vapor treatment improved the elasticity of the composite plastic. This allows the part to deform slightly and reform with elastic memory. 

ABS is a non-conductive polymer and this material had an additive that gives it fire retardant properties for safety.

ABS Filament

Density : 1.05g/cm³                         Method: ASTM D 792

Tensile strength: 45N/mm²              Method: ASTM D 638

Elongation: 25%                              Method: ASTM D 638

Flexural strength: 77N/mm²            Method: ASTM D 790

Flexural modulus: 2,650N/mm²      Method: ASTM D 790

Hardness: 116 R Scale                   Method: ASTM D 785

Heat distortion temperature: 95°c   Method ASTM D 648