Overview: Pros and Cons of Common RC Chassis Materials
When it comes to building or upgrading your RC car, choosing the right chassis material is one of the most important decisions. It affects everything from performance and durability to cost and handling. In this guide, we break down the most popular RC chassis materials, their pros and cons, and which type of RC driving they’re best suited for.
- Chassis Flatness: Why It Matter
- A screw is used to inject the plastic material under high pressure into the mold. The shape of the mold and its design will determine processing factors such as the pressure and flow rate at which the plastic is injected into the mold. Shrinkage rate of the plastic is also considered to ensure the proper size of the final product, and to avoid deformation during cooling off.
Flatness is a critical but often overlooked factor in RC chassis performance—especially in racing. Whether you're running on-road or off-road, a perfectly flat chassis helps maintain consistent suspension geometry, proper weight distribution, and predictable handling.
Why Flatness Is Important:
Suspension Tuning Accuracy: If the chassis is warped or twisted, your camber, toe, and ride height settings won't behave consistently across the car.
Cornering Stability: A flat chassis ensures balanced traction across all four tires, giving you more control through turns.
Reduced Drag and Friction: In on-road cars, chassis drag against the track can be minimized with a flat, rigid base.
Materials and Flatness:
Carbon fiber and aluminum chassis are usually machined or molded with high precision, offering excellent flatness out of the box.
Plastic chassis can warp over time—especially with heat, rough impacts, or improper storage.
Graphite composites may flex slightly but can maintain flatness if properly mounted and braced.
Pro Tip:
Check your chassis flatness regularly by placing it on a glass sheet or flat setup board. If it rocks or there's visible bowing, it might be time for a replacement—or at least a re-tune.
1. Plastic (Nylon or ABS)
Pros:
Lightweight
Inexpensive
Flexible—absorbs shocks well
Easy to replace
Cons:
Less rigid—can flex too much under load
Not as durable in high-impact scenarios
May crack under repeated stress
Best For: Beginners, budget builds, and bashing
2. Aluminum
Pros:
Strong and rigid
More durable than plastic
Good heat dissipation
Looks premium (often anodized)
Cons:
Heavier than plastic or carbon fiber
Can bend on hard impact
More expensive than plastic
Best For: Bashers, trail rigs, and hobbyists who want durability with good performance
3. Carbon Fiber
Pros:
Ultra-lightweight
Very rigid—offers precise handling
High-end racing look and feel
Corrosion-resistant
Cons:
Expensive
Brittle—can crack under sharp impact
Hard to repair
Best For: Competitive on-road or track racers where performance is key
4. Graphite Composite / Fiberglass
Pros:
A good middle ground between carbon fiber and plastic
Lighter than aluminum
Often cheaper than full carbon fiber
Cons:
Not as stiff or durable as carbon fiber
Can delaminate over time
5. 420 Stainless Steel
Pros:
Extremely strong and durable
High wear resistance—good for rough, abrasive environments
Corrosion-resistant due to chromium content
Maintains chassis flatness well under stress
Cons:
Very heavy compared to aluminum or carbon fiber
Less common in RC chassis—custom work may be required
Harder to machine and modify
Can transmit more vibration without dampening
Best For: Custom builds that prioritize maximum durability over speed, such as heavy-duty crawlers, tank-style RCs, or extreme conditions like mud, rocks, or snow.
Flatness Note:
420 stainless steel is excellent in terms of structural integrity and maintaining flatness under pressure and heat. Unlike plastic or softer metals, it’s highly resistant to warping, making it a solid choice for precision setups in harsh conditions—though at the cost of weight.
RC Chassis Material Comparison Table
| Material | Weight | Durability | Cost | Flatness Stability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic (Nylon/ABS) | Light | Medium | Low | Low | Beginners, bashing |
| Aluminum | Medium-High | High | Medium | High | Bashers, rugged use |
| Carbon Fiber | Very Light | Medium | High | Very High | Racing, high precision |
| Graphite/Fiberglass | Medium | Medium | Medium | Medium | Intermediate racing |
| 420 Stainless Steel | Very High | Very High | High | Very High | Heavy-duty, custom builds, extreme terrain |