Plastic vs. Aluminum RC Parts: A Head-to-Head Match-Up

Plastic vs. Aluminum RC Parts: A Head-to-Head Match-Up

The smallest details can make a big difference. This idea applies to just about anything in life. With that said, it takes on even greater meaning when working with something as small as an RC vehicle. As any seasoned pro would tell you, minor upgrades add up to better performance in the long run.

One great example that most laypersons would not even consider is the material from which the vehicle’s parts are made. You can learn whether plastic or aluminum RC parts are right for you in this article. We will go over each type’s upsides and downsides, so you can decide for yourself.

Flexibility

It does not matter how much experience you have with driving. At some point, your vehicle will take a hit or crash. Each impact on the exterior will reverberate through the interior. The inside must be just as capable of withstanding stress as the outside.

Many will argue that plastic parts are better in this regard. They may bend, yes, but they are flexible enough to eventually bend back. In contrast, aluminum is much more rigid. This strength makes it less susceptible to damage, but once it is bent, it is bent forever.

If you decide to mix the two, which we will get more into later, be careful. Aluminum RC parts may transfer the force of impact onto the weaker plastic parts.

Durability

Flexibility is important for recovering from an impact, especially with the parts in the vehicle’s innards. With that said, aluminum needs it less because its durability is already so high. The material holds up much better in crashes than plastic. It can take a real beating before bending out of shape.

To be fair, plastic is not universally weak. Certain kinds are much more durable than others. Examples include polycarbonate and high-impact nylon. Their strength combined with plastic’s absorbency may still not be enough to match aluminum in toughness. Even so, it is still a viable alternative.

Cost

Aluminum RC parts generally cost more than their flimsier counterparts. The price only grows with each additional purchased part made from that material. As a result, casual users may want to stick with plastic. Aluminum presents too much of an investment for those who only use RC cars every once in a while as recreation.

Of course, the principle of parts adding up in price also applies to plastic. These pieces break more often than aluminum, and broken parts need replacement. Many enthusiasts do not mind, but it is still worth noting and remembering as you choose between the two materials.

Longevity

All that discussion brings us to the matter of longevity. Aluminum RC parts will last much longer than their plastic counterparts. They may not last forever, as the material’s durability can only sustain so much. Despite that, the extent of its lifespan may make the cost feel completely worth it.

There are ways to make plastic RC parts last longer as well. Reinforcing them with aluminum can help, though you should read our warning from earlier. Using hardier plastics helps. Sometimes, what helps most is avoidance. Vehicles consisting mostly or entirely of plastic parts should stay out of contests where they might get knocked around a lot.

Weight

Speaking of contests: some people choose parts and materials intending to make their cars less vulnerable to damage. Other people make their choices based on what would make their vehicles lighter. Lower weight allows for higher speed, and reducing weight by just a fraction of an ounce can make the difference between winning and losing.

Put simply, aluminum is heavier than plastic — by a wide margin. In a race between two cars, one with plastic parts, one with aluminum parts, both otherwise identical, the former is more likely to win. Anyone interested in competitions that rely on speed may want to steer towards plastic.

Tuning

Technically minded RC fans will want to pay close attention. The choice of material for parts is not the only small detail that can have a big effect on performance. A wide range of aspects, invisible to the layperson’s eye, can contribute to the outcome of a competition. Tiny adjustments can make or break you.

Plastic RC parts are flexible in their structure, but aluminum RC parts are flexible in a different way. They often come with multiple settings, so you can tune them and make slight changes in their performance. This factor is one big way that aluminum differs from plastic in the world of RC vehicles.

How About Mixing the Materials?

No RC vehicle needs to consist solely of plastic or aluminum RC parts. You can mix the two in creative ways that minimize the weaknesses and maximize the strengths of the respective materials. Different RC veterans will have different opinions, but aluminum is advisable for bulkheads and caster blocks. Meanwhile, plastic is popular for shock towers and arms.

We should repeat our warning from earlier that aluminum can transfer force from an impact to plastic, potentially damaging it in the process. Getting good strong plastic can help with that. Another piece of advice from our experience: if you expect to replace it often, you might as well get the metal. Finally, it is worth mentioning that RC parts made of other materials are available as well.

Plastic & Aluminum RC Parts at AbsoluteHobbyz.com

Plastic and aluminum RC parts have their respective pros and cons. The six types we described above are only among the most important aspects, and you can analyze them based on many other factors. We did not write this article to say that one is better than the other. We wrote it so hobbyists could make more educated decisions and pick the material that best suits their needs.

No matter which types you prefer, you can find an array of RC vehicle parts made from various materials here at AbsoluteHobbyz.com. We strive to offer every kind of component an enthusiast may need, all from reliable brands. Check out our selection at our online store and see what a difference our parts can make.