Besides good resistance to most solvents and acids, fibre glass reinforced Polyester is flame retardent and self-extinguishing.
The enclosures are generally used as terminal enclosures or as command and information enclosures in chemically aggressive environments, such as refineries or road tunnels.
PROS AND CONS OF POLYESTER ENCLOSURES
Why polyester enclosures? – MBP
PROS |
CONS |
| ✅ Good chemical resistance | ❌ Does not meet high optical demands due to glass fibre content |
| ✅ No softeners/elastomers in the base material | ❌ Higher weight compared to thermoplastics |
| ✅ Absolutely corrosion-free even under mechanical impact (stone chips and scratches) | ❌ Limited choice of colours |
| ✅ High stability and impact resistance due to glass fibre reinforcement | ❌ Low heat conductivity |
| ✅ UV-stable and weatherproof | ❌ Machines with dust extraction system for mechanical processing recommended |
| ✅ Protective insulation of installed components | |
| ✅ Self-extinguishing and flame retardant |
WHAT EXACTLY IS POLYESTER / GRP / FIBREGLASS?
Polyester is also known as glass reinforced plastic (GRP) or fibreglass.
The composite material consists of glass, fibre mats and polyester resin. The resin protects the fibres from external influences and maintains the shape of the pressed part.
In contrast to thermoplastics, polyester enclosures are pressed and not injection-moulded.
In this process, the pre-dosed raw material is placed in a mould, heated and pressed into shape. After demoulding, polyester enclosures require intensive finishing because excess material has to be removed.
SERVICE: MECHANICAL PROCESSING OF POLYESTER ENCLOSURES
The mechanical processing of fibre-reinforced plastics is always a challenge. The reason is the inhomogenity of the material and the significantly different properties of the contents glass fibre and resin.
The glass fibres are abrasive and this causes high tool wear. In addition, the material has poor thermal conductivity, which means that sufficient cooling must be ensured during milling.
Special risks arise during manual, non-machine-enclosed CNC-work. The fine dust particles produced during milling and grinding must not be inhaled. Wearing a face mask is strongly recommended.
MULTI-BOX carries out the mechanical processing on special machines with an appropriate dust extraction system.
DIRECT COMPARISON:
POLYESTER TO POLYCARBONATE & ALUMINIUM
POLYESTER TO POLYCARBONATE & ALUMINIUM
| POLYCARBONATE (SERIES MBM) |
POLYESTER (SERIES MBP) |
ALUMINIUM (SERIES MBA) |
|
| Chemical resistance | ⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Corrosion resistance | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️ |
| Impact resistance | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| UV-stability | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Flame retardancy | ⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Full insulated | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️ |
| Surface quality | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Weight | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️ |
| Thermal conductivity | ⭐️ | ⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Special colours | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
| Mechanical processing | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️ | ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ |
POLYESTER-ENCLOSURES MBP
Color information
| Cover | LIGHT GREY RAL 7001 or BLACK RAL 9005 |
| Base | LIGHT GREY RAL 7001 or BLACK RAL 9005 |
Material information
| Material cover | Polyester GRP |
| Material base | Polyester GRP |
| Material sealing | EPDM |
| Material screws | Stainless Steel V2 A |
Temperature resistance and application areas
| UV-resistant | ✅ |
| Permanent operating temperature max. | 110°C |
| Permanent operating temperature min. | -40°C |
| Permanent operating temperature with special sealing max. | 140°C |
| Permanent operating temperature with special sealing min. | -50°C |
| Suitable for outdoor use | ✅ |
| Suitable for indoor use | ✅ |
Technical specifications
| Protection class | IP66 |
| Flame retardancy | UL94 VO |
| Cover screws | V2A captive |
