There are different types of materials when it comes to sheet metal enclosures. The metals or plastics that are being treated in stamping including steel, aluminum and plastic. But to help you have a better informed desicion, let's find about the pros and cons of each material.
Steel
Steel, traditionally renowned for its robustness and resistance to the forces of time - running overtime without accruing damage or incurring a toll. Of course, steel is pretty damn heavy so not ideal for all purposes. Moreover, steel is not rust-proof (without proper maintenance) and needs regular servicing to protect that element from degradation.
Aluminum
Unlike steel, aluminum is also a lightweight material and offers good corrosion prevention. That makes it suitable for use in weight-sensitive applications. Aluminum is likewise pliable, meaning it tends to be effectively shaped with a lot of details involved. While aluminum offers these up-sides, aluminum does fall short in that it is not as strong as steel and may not be ideal for use cases requiring high structural strength.
Plastic
Sheet Metal Enclosures: Sheet metal enclosures made of plastic are lighter than their metallic counterparts. It can be shaped into complex forms which makes it suitable for use in applications that need intricate designs. Nevertheless, it is worth to note that plastic might not be durable as hard material like steel or aluminum specially when in used heavily duty scenario. Plus, you might need to make sure the plastic can withstand very cold temperatures as well.
Well, the bottom-line is that choosing an appropriate sheet metal enclosure material can be a game-changer for your application. Things such as durability, weight and cost should be considered. Each of steel, aluminum and plastic has its unique set of pros'n'cons hence you must considerdecide carefully when selecting one according to your needs/requirements.