The Complete Guide to PC Case Materials: Steel, Aluminum, and Tempered Glass

1. Introduction: The Foundation of Your PC

Did you know that a premium-grade PC case can weigh above 40 pounds (18 kg) before any components are added? That's a lot of weight! Some PC case suppliers use premium materials with heavy gauge for a sturdy build that comes with advantages, such as better sound dampening and lower vibrations, making the overall system quieter. But how do we know when the value for money starts to decrease when selecting premium PC case material?

This guideline provides an in-depth analysis of each type of PC case material, highlighting what makes their selection crucial for specific scenarios. Users can select which material is best for gaming, corporate work, server, or home use. It will address questions about the properties, purpose, costs, and durability of each material in a PC case. Let's get started!

2. Metal: The Durable and Premium Option

Metal is the foundation of a PC case. It acts as the backbone supporting all the PC components and ensuring that the structure remains intact. PC case designers employ various techniques, such as riveting, spot welding, and fastening metal sheets, to form a sturdy frame. They can use the following metals for the frame:

A. Steel (SPCC)

Typically, Steel Plate Cold Commercial (SPCC) material is a preferred choice for the PC case. The material has a low carbon content (0.15%), which makes it bendable and allows it to be formed into various shapes. However, it still offers an incredible tensile strength of 270+ MPa (megapascals). Its sturdiness and low cost make it the priority choice for all PC case suppliers.

*Note: A steel (SPCC) with a thickness of 0.5mm is enough to form a durable chassis while maintaining a price/performance ratio.

B. Aluminum

In higher-grade or premium cases that may need to be suitable for portability, Aluminum takes the lead. It's a lower density of 2.70 g/cm³, which leads to a lower overall weight. However, the material comes with a higher cost. It is also less resistant to impact in comparison to SPCC.

*Note: Aluminum to have good strength needs to be around 1.5mm to 2mm. It is also better at conducting heat than SPCC.

C. Factors to Consider in Metal

• Corrosion-Resistance: To ensure that the case does not corrode with time, processes such as galvanization, where a layer of zinc is coated over the material to protect the steel, are used. Whereas, aluminum creates a protective oxide layer naturally and does not require galvanization.
• Coatings and Paint: Powder coatings and paint can prevent rust on steel. Therefore, it's essential to consider their quality. For aluminum, an anodizing process forms an oxide layer, which is then sealed using a dye. For steel, it's usually covered with powder coatings and paint. The powder coating can be polyester-based, and paints are generally acrylic or urethane-based, which are used in automotive to protect metal.

3. Plastic: The Versatile and Cost-Effective Choice

After you have a solid foundation, you need to move toward the selection of plastic. As the PC case will have lots of metal and electronics, there are chances for low-voltage currents to reach the metal. Therefore, PC cases will often use plastics at locations where human interface is expected during power operation. PC case manufacturers will use any of these three types of plastics:

A. Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene (ABS)

ABS is the most common type of plastic used in PC cases. It has a good impact and stress resistance for everyday use. Moreover, the material has a lower density of 1.01-1.06 g/cm³, which makes it lightweight. It is primarily used in front panels and non-structural components. However, it's known to get damaged under UV light.

*Note: Suitable for all gaming and personal use applications.

B. Polycarbonate (PC)

It is the least common material in PC cases, but it has better stability in UV light and provides a tensile strength of 55-75 MPa, which is significantly stronger and more rigid than ABS (30-50 MPa). It also has higher heat resistance (130-140 °C) and better heat transfer than ABS.

Define PC as a strong, transparent thermoplastic known for its high impact and heat resistance.

Explain its common use in clear side panels and windows.

*Note: Preferred in portable PC cases, server PCs, and workstations.

C. PC-ABS Blends

This material combines the properties of both PC and ABS to achieve a balance in strength and flexibility. It is moderately priced and offers better impact resistance than ABS.

4. See Through Window: For Aesthetics and Showcase Builds

Almost all gaming categories and personal computers now feature a transparent window to showcase the internal hardware. The PC case supplier can use either glass or plastic for their build. Let's analyze these materials:

A. Tempered Glass

Glass that is heat and chemical-treated to exhibit impact strength that is far greater (5x) than regular glass. They are highly scratch-resistant, break into small pieces on impact, have clear aesthetics, and are heat-resistant. It is the most common material used in the front or side panels of PC cases.

B. Regular Glass

Some low-end PC cases feature regular glass, which has lower strength and can shatter into large, sharp pieces. They are incredibly fragile and can get damaged during transport. Using them in the side panel of a PC case is usually not recommended.

C. Plastics

Use of plastics like polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) or polycarbonate (PC) is common in PC case side panels. They offer excellent impact strength and are lightweight, which reduces transport costs. However, they are prone to scratching, which can occur during cleaning, and may become yellow over time due to exposure to sunlight (UV).

5. Is Maintaining A PC Case Challenging?

When you have the right combination of materials that offer longevity, maintaining PC case aesthetics and durability is not challenging. However, you will need to frequently clean the PC case if you live in a dusty environment. Here are some tips to maintain PC case materials:

• Regular Cleaning: Use a microfiber cloth to clean the glass using a glass cleaner. Avoid using chemicals that can damage the surface finish or paint.
• Air-Blowers: To remove dust from the PC case, it's best to use an air-blower instead of brushes or any abrasive material. The high velocity from the airblower will remove all the dust, then follow up cleaning with a clean microfiber cloth.
• Avoiding Direct Sunlight: UV light can damage plastics and cause them to yellow over time. It can also cause paint degradation or color change, so keep the PC case away from sunlight or direct UV light.
• Select High Quality Material: When buying a PC case, look for material that offers the most durability to avoid frequent replacement or damage during assembly/cleaning.

6. Premium vs. Low-Quality Materials

PC case suppliers will offer varying materials to ensure price relevance. They can provide premium, high-end, mid-range, and budget-friendly PC cases made from a variety of materials. Here are some tips to ensure that you have the premium material for your PC case.

• Always prefer a thicker gauge of steel and aluminum.
• Pick tempered glass over plastics or regular glass.
• Ensure high-quality powder coating or automotive-grade paint.
• Observe the weight of the PC case. Higher weight typically means a more sturdy build.
• See the form-factor in the specification. A Mid-tower case is usually the most stable with 0.5 mm-thick sheet metal. However, full-tower or bigger cases may need thicker material.

7. Making Your Final Decision

The combination of all the materials, including plastics, metal, and glass, collectively results in a sturdy PC case. Knowing what material to select from the PC case supplier is the first step. Arming oneself with knowledge of materials helps individuals make accurate decisions based on usage scenarios for consumers or target audiences for business owners. The most common, widely accepted, and stable PC case designs feature SPCC, ABS, and tempered glass as their raw materials.

If you are looking for a PC case supplier for premium to high-end PC cases that can also handle large production volume, then consider ESGAMING. Their wide range of PC cases follows the latest trend and customer demand. ESGAMING uses 0.5mm+ SPCC steel and tempered glass panels, coated with durable powder finishes that resist scratches and wear. With tool-free panels, modular layouts, superior airflow, and RGB integration, their cases combine aesthetics, functionality, and reliability, making them ideal for gamers and system builders worldwide. Visit the ESGAMING PC case section on their website for more details!