Best case materials? (scientific answer)

[patrick3027]

Hello everyone,

 

I've got a simple question, but it seems kinda hard to find a good anwser: what is the best material for a smartphone case if I want it to survive a drop?

 

I've found several materials mentioned in different articles:

- polycarbonate

- thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU)

- silicone

- ballistic nylon

- kevlar

- carbon fiber

- metal (seriously?)

- leather

 

Sources:

http://androidandme.com/2014/08/opinions/what-you-need-to-know-about-phone-cases-and-drop-protection-warning-science-content/

http://www.freshlytechy.com/polycarbonate-smartphone-cases-provide-strong-durable-coverage/

http://dealnews.com/features/Dont-Drop-That-Phone-Or-How-the-Right-Case-Can-Protect-Your-Gadgets/565111.html

http://ahtsham97.hubpages.com/hub/Cell-Phone-Cover-Material-Leather-Plastic-Silicon-and-Others

http://www.forbes.com/sites/marcwebertobias/2011/07/29/how-to-pick-a-case-for-your-smartphone/2/

 

First of all, what about classification? Are TPU, silicone and ballistsic nylon different forms of polycarbonate or are those different things?

 

Secondly, what material absorbs the most energy when dropped? Is it possible to have numbers on this? What should be considered, the tensile strenght (in N/m²) or the absorption energy (in Joule)?

 

TIA

 

[W-L]

-SNIP-

 

TPU or Silcone with a hard shell made of ABS or poly-carbonate would be best, which is the basic design of the Otterboxes. 

 

I'd personally still want stainless steel or 6060-T6 at the minimum for a phone rather than polymers. 

[SPAS-ID]

Hard Plastic is a good choice.

[patrick3027]

TPU or Silcone with a hard shell made of ABS or poly-carbonate would be best, which is the basic design of the Otterboxes. 

 

I'd personally still want stainless steel or 6060-T6 at the minimum for a phone rather than polymers. 

ABS wasn't mentioned in any of the articles. I guess it's pretty tough since they use it in the production of LEGO blocks since 1963.

[W-L]

ABS wasn't mentioned in any of the articles. I guess it's pretty tough since they use it in the production of LEGO blocks since 1963.

 

Pretty cheap and widely available material always a good thing