Cistern lever arm/flush arm - why are these made of plastic?

[Rollerball]

This is an example of what I'm referring to:

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Toilet-Cistern-Flush-Lever-Arm/dp/B0874PTLQ2

Plastic breaks. Why not make this out of aluminium or even brass?

I've broken a few over the years and I'm sure they're getting more flimsy and breakable.

 

[Alec_t]

Why not make this out of aluminium or even brass?

Cost. Things these days are designed down to a price.

 

[Rollerball]

Cost. Things these days are designed down to a price.

But often things designed down to a price can have more expensive equivalents that are designed to be long lasting.

Maybe I'll hunt out a bit of aluminium and make one of my own lever arms ....... how hard can it be?

 

[Tigercubrider]

They used to be metal

 

[Rollerball]

They used to be metal

Doesn't surprise me, but how long ago?

 

[polesapart]

If you're pumping away that hard your syphon washer needs replacing.

 

[Rollerball]

If you're pumping away that hard your syphon washer needs replacing.

I'm not though, it flushes pretty easily, my current plastic lever arm failed yesterday after having been in use for a few years.

 

[polesapart]

https://www.screwfix.com/p/essentials-brass-cistern-lever-arm-75mm/4912r