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A Quick Guide to Essential Furniture Hardware Knowledge

Release time：

2024-09-21

Furniture hardware refers to the metal components used in or on furniture, such as slides, hinges, sofa legs, lifters, backrest frames, springs, nails, foot codes, and connectors for various functions like movement, fastening, and decoration. These are also known as furniture fittings. In China, as early as the Spring and Autumn and Warring States periods, copper hinges for cabinets and gilded copper corner pieces and foot parts for lacquered tables were in use.

Among furniture hardware, handles are the most widely used. These handles can be embedded with trendy elements and high-end cabinet accessories, crafted with innovative techniques and produced to the standards of fine art. Popular finishes include antique bronze, brushed nickel, pearl silver, powder-coated black, gold plating, and more, offering a wide range of home décor styles.

1. Classification of Furniture Hardware
- By Material:
Zinc alloy, aluminum alloy, iron, plastic, stainless steel, PVC, ABS, copper, nylon, and more.

- By Function:
- Structural Hardware: Metal frames for glass coffee tables, metal legs for conference tables, etc.
- Functional Hardware: Soft-close drawers, hinges, cam connectors, slides, shelf supports, etc.
- Decorative Hardware: Aluminum edging, decorative handles, hanging accessories, etc.

- By Application:
Panel furniture, solid wood furniture, metal furniture, office furniture, bathroom hardware, cabinet fittings, wardrobe fittings, and so on.

2. Features of Zinc Alloy
- High density.
- Excellent casting properties, allowing for the creation of complex, thin-walled precision parts with smooth surfaces.
- Suitable for various surface treatments such as electroplating, spraying, and painting.
- Does not absorb iron, corrode, or stick to molds during melting and casting.
- Good mechanical properties and wear resistance at room temperature.
- Low melting point, melting at 385°C, making it easy to cast.

3. Features of Iron Legs
- Stable raw material cost compared to zinc alloy.
- Simple to manufacture with low mold costs.
- Commonly available in two types: black iron and white iron, with black iron being more economical.
- Suitable for surface treatments such as electroplating, spraying, and painting.

4. Features of Stainless Steel Legs
- Raw materials are stable compared to zinc alloy.
- Simple manufacturing process, often using straight, slanted, or square tubes.
- Rust-resistant surface that can be polished without the need for electroplating.
- Commonly used materials include 201 and, to a lesser extent, 202 stainless steel.

In Ming-style furniture, hardware was already extensively used, including locks, rings, hinges, slides, leaf plates, turn-heads, tags, foot covers, fasteners, and decorative elements. The craftsmanship was exquisite, featuring techniques such as embossing, gold plating, and silvering. Today, furniture hardware comes in numerous varieties, categorized into nine major types based on their use, form, size, and style. The evolution of furniture hardware is moving towards standardization, modularity, multifunctionality, and easy assembly and disassembly.

Understanding these characteristics can help you make informed choices when selecting hardware for different furniture applications. Whether you’re a designer, manufacturer, or just someone interested in home decor, knowing the right materials and features can elevate your projects to the next level!

Material Selection and Manufacturing Processes for Structural Furniture Hardware

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