Plastics in equipment manufacturing: advantages over traditional materials

Plastics have established themselves in equipment engineering as a versatile and high-performance alternative to classic materials such as metal or glass. Whether in electrical engineering, in mechanical engineering or in medical technology – "plastics in equipment engineering" has long been more than just a trend. The continuous further development of plastic types and their processing makes applications possible today that would have been unthinkable just a few decades ago.

Versatility as a key factor

A central advantage of plastics in equipment engineering is their enormous versatility. Modern plastics can be precisely tailored to specific requirements – whether in terms of mechanical strength, heat resistance, chemical resistance or electrical insulation. This allows equipment manufacturers to select materials that are optimally suited to their specific application.

Particularly noteworthy is the variety of thermoplastic plastics, thermosets and high-performance polymers that are installed in a wide range of equipment – from everyday devices to highly complex industrial equipment.

Advantages over traditional materials

In direct comparison with classic materials such as steel, aluminium or ceramics, plastics in equipment engineering offer numerous advantages:

1. Lower weight: Plastic parts are significantly lighter than their metallic counterparts, which reduces energy consumption and improves ergonomics.

2. Design freedom: Plastic can be formed into almost any shape, making complex geometries and compact designs possible.

3. Corrosion resistance: Unlike metals, plastics do not corrode and are resistant to many chemicals.

4. Cost savings: The production of plastic components is often more cost-effective than that of metal parts, especially at high volumes.

5. Integration of functions: With plastics, several functions can be combined in a single component (e.g. mounting, seal and cable routing in one part).

Typical areas of application for plastics in equipment engineering

Plastics are used in equipment engineering across all industries. The most common applications include:

• Housings of electrical and household appliances
• Mountings, clips and spacers in technical devices
• Insulating components in electrical and electronic applications
• Seals, membranes and flexible elements
• Carrier systems in medical or analytical devices

Comparison table: plastic vs. metal in equipment engineering

Criterion	Plastic	Metal
Weight	Very light	Significantly heavier
Corrosion behaviour	Corrosion-free	Prone to corrosion (without protection)
Machinability	Easily formable, versatile	More complex, limited design freedom
Costs in series production	Low to medium	High (especially for complex shapes)
Mechanical load capacity	Medium to high (material-dependent)	Very high (for metals such as steel)
Thermal load capacity	Limited to high (for high-performance plastics)	Very high

Increasing importance through sustainability and recycling

Another aspect that will make plastics even more relevant in equipment engineering in the future is the development of recyclable and bio-based plastics. Especially with regard to environmental requirements and legal regulations, materials that can be produced in a resource-saving way and recycled are gaining in importance. Lightweight construction concepts, which are made possible by the use of plastics, also contribute to energy efficiency.

Conclusion: plastics are indispensable in equipment engineering

Thanks to their material diversity, formability and combination possibilities, plastics in equipment engineering offer clear advantages over traditional materials. They enable technical innovations, reduce production costs and improve the usage properties of modern devices. For many applications, they are therefore not just an alternative, but the first choice.