The shell of a power bank directly affects the user’s first impression of the product. The material and craftsmanship of the shell are not only related to the appearance, texture, and grip feeling but also closely related to product quality, safety performance, cost, and market competitiveness. Currently, there are a variety of options for power banks, such as plastic, metal, and composite materials. For brand owners, how to choose the suitable shell material. Let’s dive in and explore!
一、Advantages and Disadvantages of Power Bank Shell Materials
The main materials for power bank shells are plastic (ABS, PC, PC/ABS alloy), aluminum alloy, etc. There are different
They are different in some aspects, including appearance, durability, heat dissipation, and safety performance. Plastic is widely adopted for power bank due to its simple manufacturing processes, excellent moldability and high production efficiency. Aluminum alloy typically used in mid-to-high-end power bank due to its exceptional durability, premium texture, and heat dissipation capability. The main differences are as follows:
Plastic:
Injection molding
Colorful
Various shapes
Surface Finishing Processes(Sun Texture/3D Engraving, Matte UV Coating, Glossy UV Coating, Soft-Touch Rubber Paint…)
Aluminum alloy:
Stamping
Die-casting
CNC processing
Improve the appearance texture
Impact resistance and durability
Superior heat dissipation capability
More used in mid-to-high-end models
Surface Finishing Processes(Sandblasting Anodizing, Spray Coating, Polishing, Brushing, Electroplating…)
| Material | Feature | |
| Plastic | ABS | Advantages: good toughness, easy processing and forming, high surface gloss, high cost performance Disadvantages: easy to crack, poor heat dissipation, the price of fireproof ABS plastic is 2-3 times higher than that of the non-fireproof. |
| PC | Advantages: high strength, impact resistance, high temperature resistance… Disadvantages: difficult to process, Moderate abrasion resistance, high price | |
| PC/ABS Alloy | PC and ABS mixture, excellent comprehensive performance, PC high strength, high temperature resistance and ABS easy processing… | |
| Aluminum Alloy | Advantages: light weight, Superior heat dissipation capability, impact resistance, durability and premium texture Disadvantages: high cost | |
二、What factors should be considered when selecting the material for the power bank shell?
When selecting the material for the power bank shell, it is necessary to comprehensively consider various factors such as appearance color matching, process, market positioning and safety performance. The specific design adaptation strategy can be referred to as follows:
1.Market Position Needs: Different materials are used according to the different market positioning of the product. For the mid-to-low end market, ABS and PC/ABS alloy is the preferred choice, while aluminum alloy shells are recommended for the mid-to-high end segment to meet varying aesthetic and tactile requirements across different price tiers.
2.Heat Dissipation & Durability: High-power fast-charging power banks are preferably made of aluminum alloy, which has excellent thermal conductivity and is easier to dissipate heat, making the fast-charging process safer and more stable.Normal power banks are mainly made of plastic, which is lightweight, colorful, and easy to shape.
3.Cost & Mass Production Efficiency: Plastic injection molding technology is mature and has a short production cycle, which is particularly suitable for mass production to control costs. Although aluminum alloy has high processing precision requirements, it can significantly improve the product texture and is more suitable for mid-to-high-end market positioning.
4.Environmental Protection & Compliance: Strictly comply with international certification standards, including RoHS, REACH, WEEE, and UN 38.3. PC/ABS alloy and aluminum alloy are prioritized for their superior flame-retardant properties, aligning with global sustainability trends and environmental protection requirements.”
5.Safety Performance Priority: Flame retardant performance UL94 fire rating (V0 > V1 > HB), V0 level is the primary consideration (China has added S.2 needle flame test); high temperature resistance index (PC>PC/ABS alloy>ABS); impact resistance (metal material>plastic material, ABS needs to add toughening agent).
三、What are the materials of Joway power bank shell?
Joway mainly uses PC/ABS alloy and aluminum alloy materials as power bank shells. PC/ABS alloy could successfully pass the S.2 needle flame test and 94-V0 fire rating test, and is extremely safe. The aluminum alloy shell has also passed the fire test and uses sandblasting oxidation technology, which imparts a premium texture to the product and has a significant effect on the improvement of brand premium space.
Customized design can be carried out according to the different needs of customers, such as ultra-thin design, high flame retardancy, special surface treatment, and other needs. The product has multiple functions, diverse styles, and rich colors, which can meet the needs of consumers at different levels, including mid-range, mid-to-high-end, and high-end.
Joway is a professional OEM focusing on power bank manufacturing for more than 20 years, supporting OEM/ODM/gift customization. Feel free to contact us for consultation at any time!
四、Q&A about shell materials
1.Q: Is V0 material required for the EU market?
A: According to the EN 62368-1 standard, it must at least meet the UL94-V1 fire protection level, but V0 level can cover more markets, so it is recommended to use V0 materials.
2.Q: Is material compliance certification provided?
A: Joway provides material compliance certification based on the customer’s target market to ensure that the product meets the needs of the market access.
3.Q: What is PC/ABS alloy material?
A: PC/ABS alloy is a composite material made by mixing PC and ABS, which brings out their advantages in both materials and effectively overcomes their respective shortcomings. The specific performance is related to the ratio of the two.
