1. The importance of hardware materials
Hardware is widely used in decoration and daily life, from kitchen sinks and faucets to bathroom showers and floor drains, and furniture hinges and handles. Hardware is everywhere. In decoration, the quality of hardware directly affects the overall decoration effect and service life. For example, a poor quality faucet may leak, rust and other problems, which not only affects the user experience, but also may cause damage to the surrounding decoration materials. Damage. In daily life, the quality of hardware is equally important. For example, if the hinges of the wardrobe are of poor quality, the door may become loose and not close tightly, affecting the use of the wardrobe.
2. Common hardware materials and characteristics< /h2>
(I) Copper alloy Material
Copper alloy material is widely used in hardware products. It has many advantages First of all, copper alloy has good corrosion resistance, is not easy to rust, and can maintain stable performance in various environments. At the same time, copper alloy has excellent properties and moderate hardness. It has certain strength and is easy to process. As a special material in copper alloy, its scarcity makes it more valuable in the market. Environmentally friendly copper has less impact on the environment during the production process, which meets the requirements of modern society for environmental protection. In products such as bathroom accessories, products made of environmentally friendly copper not only have beautiful appearance, but also reliable quality and can be used for a long time without problems.
(II) Aluminum alloy material
Aluminum alloy is one of the more common hardware materials. It is durable and widely used in many fields. However, aluminum alloy is generally considered to be a low-end On the one hand, aluminum alloy is light in weight, which is an advantage in some cases, but it is also easy to cause deformation during use, and this deformation is often irreversible. The surface treatment of the steel also has its own characteristics. Through processes such as anodizing, a protective film can be formed on the surface to enhance its corrosion resistance and aesthetics. However, the effects of different surface treatment processes are also different, and they need to be determined according to the specific use environment and Need to make a selection.
(III) Zinc alloy material
Zinc alloy is a low-end product in hardware products. Zinc alloy is usually cast This manufacturing method can easily lead to an uneven surface of the product, affecting the appearance quality. In addition, the zinc alloy coating is also easy to fall off, which not only affects the appearance of the product, but also reduces its corrosion resistance. , zinc alloy is easily corroded by the external environment, thus shortening the service life of the product.
(IV) Stainless steel material
Stainless steel is also common in hardware products and is usually considered a low-end product. The advantage of stainless steel is that it has good anti-rust performance and can be used for a long time in a humid environment without rusting. However, stainless steel also has some disadvantages. First of all, stainless steel welding is difficult and requires professional welding technology and equipment. Secondly, the shape of stainless steel is relatively simple, which makes it difficult to meet the personalized needs of some consumers. In addition, the processability of stainless steel is also poor, and special tools and processes are required during the processing, which increases the production cost.
(V) Space aluminum material
Space aluminum has many advantages. First of all, the strength and anti-corrosion performance of space aluminum They are very high and can withstand thousands of degrees of high temperature and strong impact. This makes the hardware products made of space aluminum maintain good performance in various harsh environments. Secondly, the price of space aluminum is economical and affordable compared to other Compared with high-end hardware products, space aluminum is more affordable. This is one of the important reasons why space aluminum is popular among consumers. Hardware products made of space aluminum have the advantages of environmental protection, non-fading, and durability, and are widely used in home furnishings. , especially kitchen and bathroom accessories, have become a new trend in modern homes.
3. Identify the quality of hardware materials Methods
(I) Identify raw materials
Inferior products usually use inferior recycled materials and cut corners to reduce Cost, such as recycled aluminum, loose structure, light weight, and light feel. High-quality products use foundry copper, high-quality zinc alloy or titanium alloy, with a tight structure, heavy weight, and a thick feel. Pure copper is the best raw material. The bathroom storage rack is made of high-quality materials, with a smooth feel and a stable frame. Generally speaking, hardware products made of high-quality materials have a tighter structure and greater durability.
(II) Identify the quality of accessories
Inferior products use iron screws as fasteners, which are easy to rust. Glass products use low-grade domestic products, which are uneven in thickness, low in transparency, and cloudy in appearance. Superior products use stainless steel screws or copper screws as fasteners. , glass products use imported glass rings and plates, which are uniform in thickness, high in transparency and clear in vision. According to statistics, inferior products made of iron screws have a rust probability of up to 80% in a humid environment, while stainless steel screws or For high-quality copper screws, the probability of rusting is as low as less than 5%.
(III) Identification of die casting and processing technology
Inferior products are made of small die-casting machines and simple machine tools, with insufficient pressure and poor quality. The rough surface has pores, silk lines, cracks and surface inequality, the polishing process is rough and the process is simple. The high-quality products are made of large-scale precision computer-controlled die-casting machine tools and digital precision machine tools. The surface of the rough is smooth, flat, without pores and silk lines. The grinding and polishing process is rigorous and involves many procedures. The accuracy of products manufactured by large precision machine tools can reach 0.01 mm, while the accuracy of products manufactured by small and crude machine tools is often above 0.1 mm, with a significant gap.
(IV) Identification of coating quality
Inferior products are electroplated with cheap brighteners, with loose structure, poor bonding strength, and gloss Dull and whitish. Due to the direct chrome plating on the zinc alloy, it is very easy to rust, wear, bubble and peel in a short period of time. The coating thickness is less than 3 microns, and there are many scratches and burrs on the coating surface. The electroplating layer of high-quality products is bright and has good bonding strength. The coating is compact, uniform, and crisp in color. The coating thickness is generally above 6 microns. Experiments show that the coating of high-quality products can be kept free of rust for more than 5 years in a simulated humid environment, while inferior products may rust within a few years. Serious coating damage occurred within a month.
(V) Identify packaging quality
The inferior product packaging box uses inferior raw materials, the printing is rough, the trademark is blurred, and the general The packaging and inner box of the products are not marked with the manufacturer, and some are even "three no" products. The packaging design of high-quality products is beautiful, the trademark is clear and eye-catching, and the manufacturer and detailed address are generally indicated. The inner box has a quality inspection certificate, installation instructions, etc. Instructions, etc. Good packaging not only reflects the quality of the product, but also provides consumers with more information and protection.
(VI) Identify after-sales service
Inferior products have no after-sales service, and there is no effective installation manual inside Or quality assurance. High-quality products generally have a solemn 3-5 year quality assurance commitment, and contain a valid quality assurance certificate, inspection mark, installation instructions and the manufacturer's address and phone number. Products with quality assurance make consumers Users are more relaxed during use
Fourth, other identification skills
(I) Divide the environment by material
In different environments, it is very important to choose the right hardware material. In humid environments, such as bathrooms and kitchens, stainless steel is an ideal choice. This is because stainless steel contains chromium, which can form a dense oxide film on the surface to prevent oxygen and moisture from further corroding the metal, thus having good corrosion resistance. For example, in a humid bathroom, stainless steel faucets, showers and other hardware can remain bright for a long time and are not easy to rust. In a relatively dry environment, cold-rolled steel can be considered. Cold-rolled steel has good strength and processing performance, and its cost is relatively low. Although the corrosion resistance of cold-rolled steel is not as good as that of stainless steel, it is less likely to rust in a dry environment. At the same time, cold-rolled steel can be further improved through surface treatment, such as painting, galvanizing, etc. Its corrosion resistance.
(II) Look at the angle
The angle of the hinge has an important impact on the use of the cabinet door. At the corner, the 180-degree hinge has obvious advantages. First, the 180-degree hinge can open the cabinet door completely, making it easy to take and put items. Compared with the traditional 90-degree hinge, the 180-degree hinge can provide a larger opening space, avoiding the difficulty of taking items due to the small opening angle of the cabinet door. Secondly, 180-degree hinges can make better use of space. In special locations such as corner cabinets, 180-degree hinges can make the cabinet door and cabinet body fit more closely, reducing space waste. In addition, some hinges with special angles, such as 175-degree hinges, are suitable for large wardrobes with one door to the top, and the large door opening angle makes it more convenient to take things; 135-degree hinges are mainly used together with 175-degree hinges to make linkage doors; 45-degree hinges and 30-degree hinges are mainly used in kitchen corner cabinets, etc.
(III) Look at shock absorption
Hinges with damping play an important protective role for cabinet doors. Damping hinges can provide a buffer when the cabinet door is closed, avoiding direct impact between the cabinet door and the cabinet body, thereby reducing noise and vibration. At the same time, damping hinges can also protect the cabinet door and cabinet body from damage and extend the service life of the hardware. For example, when the cabinet door is closed, the damping hinge can slowly pull the cabinet door back to its original position, avoiding deformation or damage to the cabinet door caused by excessive closing force. In addition, damping hinges can also improve the comfort of cabinet doors. Traditional hinges may produce loud noises and vibrations when closing, causing discomfort. Damping hinges can provide a smooth and smooth closing experience, making people feel a more comfortable living atmosphere.
(IV) Look at the ingredients
304 stainless steel should be used as much as possible, and 201 should be avoided for the following reasons. First, 304 stainless steel has better corrosion resistance. 304 stainless steel contains more nickel and chromium elements, which makes it have excellent corrosion resistance. In humid and acid rain environments, 304 stainless steel can be protected from corrosion and rust and maintain a long service life. The nickel element contained in 201 stainless steel is less than 1%, and its corrosion resistance is relatively weak. Secondly, 304 stainless steel has higher strength. When storing a large amount of liquid or under great pressure, 304 stainless steel water tanks can fully meet the needs of storing liquid. The strength of 201 stainless steel is relatively low. In addition, 304 stainless steel is more environmentally friendly and safer. 201 stainless steel contains a lot of manganese, which is a metal that is harmful to the human body. The chromium and nickel elements contained in 304 stainless steel are not only harmless to the human body, but also highly environmentally friendly and can be recycled after the service life of the water tank expires.
(V) Three-step quick identification method
- See if the brand is well-known and be wary of affiliated products. When choosing hardware products, brand awareness is an important reference factor. Well-known brands usually have stricter quality control systems and better after-sales service. At the same time, be wary of some affiliated products, which often carry the banner of foreign brands, but in fact the quality cannot be guaranteed. You can judge whether the brand is well-known by looking at its history, reputation, market share, etc.
- Weigh the weight of the product, heavy materials are harder. If the weight of products of the same specifications is heavier, it at least means that the materials used by the manufacturer are harder. For example, high-quality hinges are usually made of cold-rolled steel or stainless steel, which have a higher density, so the product weight is relatively heavy. Inferior hinges may be made of cheap metals such as thin iron sheets and are lighter.
- Look at the details, pay attention to the reset spring, bearing grease, door lock handle inner ring and drawer slide paint film surface. Details determine quality, and we must pay attention to the details of hardware products. For example, the reset spring of the cabinet door hinge, good products usually use high-quality grease such as silicone oil to ensure the smooth reset of the spring; the bearing of the door hinge uses molybdenum-containing grease to increase the service life of the bearing; the Baroque style door lock handle, in addition to the surface, the inner ring of the vortex is also polished, which is more beautiful and exquisite; the paint film surface of the drawer slide is flat, which can ensure the smooth push and pull of the drawer. These details can reflect the quality and quality of the product.
V. Summary and Suggestions
When choosing hardware products, it is crucial to distinguish the quality of their materials. We need to consider various factors, including material characteristics, identification methods and techniques.
Different hardware materials have their own advantages and disadvantages. Copper alloy materials are corrosion-resistant and have excellent properties; aluminum alloy materials are durable but easy to deform; zinc alloy materials are low-grade and the coating is easy to fall off; stainless steel materials are rust-proof but difficult to weld and have a single shape; space aluminum materials have high strength, good corrosion resistance and affordable price. In actual selection, the appropriate material should be determined according to the specific use environment and needs.
There are many ways to distinguish the quality of hardware materials, from identifying raw materials, accessories quality, die-casting and processing technology, coating quality, packaging quality to after-sales service, each link can reflect the quality of the product. At the same time, looking at the material environment, looking at the angle, looking at the shock absorption, looking at the composition and the three-step quick identification method can also help us better choose hardware products.
It is recommended that you choose a brand with quality assurance when purchasing hardware products. Well-known brands usually have stricter quality control systems and better after-sales services, which can provide more guarantees for consumers. You can refer to the top ten hardware brands, such as Hafele, Hettich, Yajie Hardware, Dinggu, Jianlang and other brands. These brands are very influential in the hardware accessories industry and have reliable product quality.
In addition, when buying hardware products, don't just look at the price, but pay attention to the quality and cost performance of the product. You can learn more about hardware products and improve your ability to distinguish so that you can choose hardware products with better quality and more suitable for you in the market.
In short, to distinguish the quality of hardware materials, we need to consider multiple aspects comprehensively and choose brands with quality assurance to ensure that we buy satisfactory hardware products and provide better protection for our decoration and daily life.