What matrerials are more commonly used to make a case of a radio and why???

Question

please answer as detailed (and correct) as possible! It's for a design technology project!

Answer 1

Injection Molded plastics are used in the production of Home entertainment radios. This is is based on the product being used in the consumer products market. ABS is one of the more common materials used for cases. ABS has great moldibility and very high impact strength.

Injection molding for Radio cases can be produced in many colors and materials with various surface finishes. Textured finishes will reduce scratches. Also, the Plastic material is lighter in weight and very inexpensive after the tooling is amortized. All plastic consumer products must pass stringent fire tests by UL, CSA and European fire retardant laws.

Also, any required shielding can be applied during a secondary process. All assembly is done by automation, using self tapping fasteners and snap fits.

Visit a local audio products sales outlet and look at the products being sold.

See the following link:

http://www.matweb.com/reference/abspolymermfr.asp

Mav

Answer 2

Plastics. More precisely I think ABS is most common.

ABS is the best plastic for painting and electroplating. If your radio case looks metalic, it's likely painted. Chemicals doesn't stick well to other plastics (i.e polypropylene - too resistant to chemicals neither paint nor glue will stick). So ABS is used commonly for products that must look good.

Also cost. Plastics in general are much cheaper than metals. ABS is among the less expensive plastics.

Answer 3

Plastic or wood are good as it is not a shielding as a metal would be.