Optical Disc Jewel Cases

Basics

• A Method of Optical Disc Packaging
• Typically made of Polystyrene although Polypropylene versions are available
• It is a hinged design made of seperate pieces
  • Allows for repairability
• It has slots for paper cards to be put for labels
• Most Music CDs are sold in Jewel Cases unless they are in a cardboard sleeve etc
• On the left side there is either black plastic or it is clear as well, the "insert" piece can also be black
  • Carbon Black can help some plastics with UV Resistance and such so may be a better option, but for something sitting in a box not too big of a factor most likely
  • Some music albums have used the clear section for more album art or whatever as well, so whoever is selecting materials for whatever project should think that aspect over

Sourcing

Polypropylene

• Premium Shatterproof Polypropylene CD PP Poly Cases - 10.4MM Thickness (Black) (Pack of 50) (28 USD)

Polystyrene

• "Super Clear" seems to be a marketing synonym for this
• If being overly cautious if not listed it probably is PS as well, although if i get that Plastic Scanner sometime can mess around and see
  • That or if consumer websites like Amazon would actually have all the damn information and lay it all out for you!
• AcePlus - Premium Single Disc Jewel Cases in Super Clear with 10.4 mm Standard Thickness Assembled (10-Pack) (~24 USD)
• Maxtek 10.4 mm Standard Single Clear CD Jewel Case with Assembled Clear Tray, 25 Pack (~25 USD)

Some of the Best Selling Ones Unnamed Plastic, Probably PS

• Verbatim CD DVD Blu-Ray Clear Slim Jewel Cases, 5.2 mm – 25 Pack (~13 USD)
• Maxtek 10.4 mm Standard Single Clear CD Jewel Case with Assembled Black Tray, 10 Pack ( ~16 USD)

Polycarbonate and HIPS

• This Store Page by Blank Media Printing Says Quote:
  • "This standard CD jewel case is manufactured with 100% new high-quality polycarbonate and general-purpose and high impact polystyrene. "
  • The rest is marketing fluff, but if correct this would be very nice!
  • By that logic too, the Clear Version should be all Polycarbonate?
  • 0.43 Unit Cost, 25 Minimum Order, $10.75 (Probably have to add in shipping, either way this seems promising, at least as the nobby long term option)

Internal Links

• Optical Disc Jewel Case Storage Box
• Optical Disc Packaging

External Links

• The Wikipedia Page on Jewel Cases
• WeWow Ltd - Plastic CD/DVD Packaging - Polystyrene vs Polypropylene (Doesn't seem that great of a source upon further inspection, will leave it regardless]
  • Accelerated Aging Tests of Plastics and maybe a glance at their various "strengths" /
  • Quick check, and at least as per This Page by "Omnexus" Short of High Impact Polystyrene and various reinforced composites, Polypropylene should be stronger, at least in the quantitative data Charpy Impact Test / Izod Impact Strength Test
  • Granted as per This Xometry Page it seems that without knowing the "secret sauce" it can very quite a bit. Still though outside of optical clarity it seems with the right selection Polypropylene would still win out.