DurablePlasticFanGuardsOEMVentilationSafety

Durable Plastic Fan Guards: Essential OEM Ventilation Protection
GardTec's durable plastic fan guards offer reliable, low-cost safety for cooling systems in electronics and industrial applications, preventing debris damage while preserving airflow.
Key Benefits at a Glance

Cost-Effective Safety: Affordable barriers that protect fans and users from hazards, with UL 94V-0 flame-resistant materials ensuring compliance in electrical environments.
Optimal Airflow Design: Wide grill openings maximize ventilation (up to 90% free air passage) while narrow slots block foreign objects, reducing overheating risks.
Low-Noise Performance: Engineered to minimize operational noise, ideal for quiet-sensitive setups like computers and servers.
Easy Installation Options: Choose screw-mount (thru-hole) or tool-free snap-on styles for quick OEM assembly.
Versatile Sizing: Fits fans from 40mm to 172mm, with custom colors and shapes available for tailored fits.

Product Overview
These guards are crafted from high-grade plastic, standard in black but customizable, and serve as a lightweight alternative to metal options. They enhance ventilation safety by shielding blades without compromising efficiency, making them a staple for OEMs in computing and electronics.
Applications and Compliance
Primarily used in computer cooling, electrical enclosures, and industrial ventilation, they meet UL 94V-0, RoHS, REACH, PFOS, UL, and CE standards. Recent updates include advanced models like SC120-P70 and SC120-P71, cross-compatible with Qualtek parts at lower costs.
Quick Sizing and Model Guide
Select based on fan size and mounting needs. Here's a table of common options:









































Fan Size (mm)Model ExamplesMounting TypeKey Features40mmSC40-P10Thru-HoleBasic screw mount, compact protection60mmSC60-P10, SC60-P15/45Thru-Hole/Snap-OnMesh clip, available in bulk packs80mmSC80-P10, SC80-P30Thru-Hole/Push-OnVersatile for PC fans, low profile120mmSC120-P10, SC120-P30, SC120-P70, SC120-P71Thru-Hole/Push-OnUpdated high-flow models, RoHS compliant172mmGeneral variantsSnap-On/Thru-HoleLarge-scale industrial use
For custom needs, contact GardTec at (262) 634-5560.

GardTec Inc.'s durable plastic fan guards represent a cornerstone in OEM ventilation safety, blending affordability, functionality, and regulatory adherence to safeguard cooling systems across diverse sectors. As electronic devices grow more compact and power-intensive, the need for unobtrusive yet robust fan protection has never been greater. These guards, manufactured with precision in facilities spanning the US and China, deliver "Total Value" through innovative designs that prioritize airflow efficiency, user safety, and ease of integration.
At their core, GardTec plastic fan guards are molded from flame-retardant plastic rated UL 94V-0, a standard that ensures self-extinguishing properties within 10 seconds of ignition exposure. This material choice not only mitigates fire risks in enclosed electronics but also resists common environmental stressors like humidity and minor impacts, extending product lifespan in demanding applications. Standard offerings come in a sleek black finish, but customization extends to alternative colors—such as white or gray—for aesthetic alignment in consumer products or branded enclosures. The guards' lightweight construction (typically under 20g for smaller sizes) avoids burdening fan motors, preserving energy efficiency and reducing overall system weight.
Design philosophy centers on balancing protection with performance. Grill patterns feature narrow slots—often 4-6mm wide—to effectively bar fingers, tools, or debris from reaching spinning blades, thereby preventing injuries and mechanical failures. Yet, these openings are strategically sized to allow 85-95% of unrestricted airflow, as validated through internal testing, ensuring heat dissipation remains optimal. Noise reduction is another hallmark; the smooth, rounded edges and aerodynamic mesh configurations dampen turbulence, achieving decibel levels 2-4dB lower than comparable metal guards. This makes them particularly suited for noise-sensitive environments, from home PCs to data center racks.
Installation versatility sets these guards apart for OEM workflows. Thru-hole models, like the SC120-P10, secure via 2- or 4-screw patterns for permanent fixtures, ideal in vibration-heavy industrial setups. Snap-on or push-on variants, such as SC80-P30, press-fit through existing fan holes without tools, enabling rapid assembly lines and field retrofits. Shapes vary between square and circular to match fan frames precisely, with thickness options (1-3mm) accommodating tight clearances behind panels. For larger fans, the 172mm variants provide expansive coverage, supporting high-CFM blowers in HVAC or server applications.
Recent innovations underscore GardTec's commitment to evolution. In a major refresh after over 15 years—the release of SC120-P70 and SC120-P71 for 120mm fans—these models boast enhanced UL 94V-0 ratings alongside full RoHS, REACH, and PFOS compliance. They also align with international UL and CE certifications, facilitating global exports. Notably, they serve as direct, cost-saving alternatives to Qualtek Electronics' 09120-G and 09121-G, often at 20-30% lower pricing through direct channels or distributors like Digi-Key and Onlinecomponents.com. These updates improve airflow by 10-15% over legacy designs via refined grill geometries, without increasing material costs.
Applications span a broad spectrum, reflecting the guards' adaptability. In consumer electronics, 40mm and 60mm models (e.g., SC40-P10, SC60-P15/45) shield laptop and desktop fans from dust ingress, potentially cutting failure rates by 25% in dusty offices. For industrial use, 80mm and 120mm options protect enclosure ventilation in automation panels, maintaining IP-rated integrity while allowing passive cooling. Bulk packaging, such as 100-unit boxes for SC60-P15/45, supports high-volume OEM production, with consignment stocking available to streamline supply chains.
Customization elevates these guards from commodity to strategic component. Beyond colors, clients can specify grill density for finer filtration (e.g., in cleanrooms) or integrated clips for hybrid mounts. GardTec's engineering team, reachable at (262) 634-5560 or via gardteconline.com, offers CAD prototyping for bespoke sizes up to 200mm, ensuring seamless integration into proprietary designs. This flexibility has earned praise from sectors like telecommunications and medical devices, where precise airflow equates to regulatory approval.
In comparative terms, plastic guards like these outperform wire alternatives in corrosive or lightweight scenarios, offering superior impact resistance without conductivity risks. They also edge out filters by avoiding periodic replacements, though hybrid combos with GardTec's fan filter assemblies are recommended for ultra-dusty environments. Sustainability notes include recyclable plastics and low-waste molding processes, aligning with eco-certifications.
To aid selection, the following expanded table details models across sizes, incorporating mounting and compliance:



























































Fan Size (mm/inches)Model SeriesMounting OptionsThickness (mm)Airflow RatingCompliance HighlightsTypical Use Case40mm (1.57")SC40-P10Thru-Hole (2/4 screws)1.590% freeUL 94V-0, RoHSSmall PC peripherals60mm (2.36")SC60-P10, SC60-P15/45Thru-Hole/Snap-On1.8-2.288% freeUL 94V-0, CEDesktop cooling, bulk OEM80mm (3.15")SC80-P10, SC80-P30Thru-Hole/Push-On2.092% freeUL 94V-0, REACHServer enclosures120mm (4.72")SC120-P10, SC120-P30, SC120-P70, SC120-P71Thru-Hole/Push-On2.5-3.095% free (updated)UL 94V-0, RoHS/REACH/PFOS, UL/CEIndustrial electronics, cross-ref Qualtek162/172mm (6.38")Custom variantsSnap-On/Thru-Hole2.8-3.585% freeUL 94V-0, CELarge HVAC blowers
This table highlights how variations in thickness and openings fine-tune performance—thicker models for ruggedness, finer grills for stricter safety.
Ultimately, GardTec's plastic fan guards embody practical innovation: they don't just guard; they enable reliable, efficient ventilation that powers progress. Whether outfitting a startup's prototype or scaling enterprise infrastructure, these components deliver peace of mind through proven durability and thoughtful design. Explore the full lineup at gardtecinc.com/products/plastic-fan-guards or shop via gardteconline.com.