The plastic main control board of the washing machine is the core control component of the washing machine. The selection of materials and design for it should take into account electrical performance, mechanical strength, environmental resistance and cost. The following is an analysis of common materials and their characteristics:
Plastic main control board of washing machine is the principal control component of the washing machine. Its material and design should take electricity into account.
The main materials of the plastic main control board of washing machines produced by ZIBO HUIWEN are:
(1) ABS (Acrylonitrile-Butadiene-Styrene Copolymer)
- Excellent overall properties: balance between rigidity, toughness and impact resistance, suitable for structural components.
- Easy to process: good injection molding performance, electroplating or painting can be applied on the surface (for decorative needs).
- Chemical resistance: resistant to weak acid and weak alkali, but may ages with detergents after a long period.
- Weak points: general heat resistance (80-100℃), sensitive to ultraviolet (require additives to improve).
(2) PC (Polycarbonate)
- Characteristics:
- High heat resistance: The long-term use temperature can reach 120℃, suitable for high-temperature applications.
- Transparency/Insulation: Transparent ones are offered for easy observation of circuits, with excellent insulation performance.
- Impact resistance: High strength, but more expensive than ABS.
- Disadvantages: Prone to stress cracking, avoid contact with certain organic solvents.
(3) PC/ABS Alloy
- Characteristics:
- Balance Performance: With PC heat resistance and ABS processing property, the mechanical strength is excellent.
- Environmental Stress Resistance: Reduces the danger of cracking, suitable for complex structures.
- Moderate Cost: Cheaper than pure PC, used in mid-to-high-end models widely.
(4) PP (Polypropylene)
- Characteristics:
- Excellent chemical resistance: detergent and oil corrosion-resistant, widely used in washing machine drum.
- Low cost: economical and practical, but with inferior rigidity and temperature resistance (usually used for non-primary structure components).
- Modified PP: can be glass fiber reinforced for load-bearing parts.
(5) Flame-retardant materials (e.g., flame-retardant ABS/PC)
- Characteristics:
- Safety compliance: Meets UL94 V-0 and other flame-retardant standards to prevent any fires due to circuit short-circuiting.
- Additive influence: May reduce mechanical properties, and a balance in formulation is required.
The main control board of the washing machine is mainly made of ABS and PC/ABS alloy, with cost and performance balance. Flame retardancy, chemical resistance, and structure stability are the main requirements. The selection of the material depends on the customer's specific requirements:
Main factors for material selection
- Electrical safety: High insulation, flame retardancy (especially for high-voltage components).
- Environmental tolerance: Resistance to moisture, detergent corrosion, resistance to temperature change (e.g., for drying function models).
- Structural requirements: Resistance to vibration, assembly accuracy (e.g., snap fasteners, screw hole positions).
- Cost control: ABS or PP for high quantity production washing machines; PC/ABS for high-end models.
ZIBO HUIWEN can undertake special processing techniques according to customer's requirement.
- Moisture-proof coating: Three-proof paint (moisture-proof, mold-proof and salt-spray protection) protects the circuit area.
- Anti-static design: Carbon fibers or anti-static agents are added to avert adsorption of dust.
- EMI shielding: Metalized coating or conductive fillers (less used for main control boards of household appliances).