Stainless steel vs. aluminum hinges
Stainless steel or aluminum hinges?
The material you choose to support doors, panels or lids helps determine the performance of your hinge. This guide is designed to help you make the right decision for your application, covering the issues you need to know:
Choosing the right hinge material
First, you need to think about the type of hinge you need. You can learn more about your choices in our guide, Types of hinges and where to use them. Once you’ve chosen the type, you need to consider what you want from your hinges. This will, of course, have helped you determine the best hinge type for your application, but it also plays a role in helping you decide if you should choose a stainless steel hinge or an aluminum hinge.
- Will the door, panel or cover they’re adjoined to open and close frequently, creating a high amount of wear and tear
- What is your application’s maximum working load?
- What about environment? Will the hinges resist corrosion? Will they be used outdoors?
- Is aesthetic appeal important?
- Should the material offer good workability? It’s not uncommon to have to cut or weld a hinge.
And of course, budget will always be a consideration. Once you determine your priorities, you’ll have a better idea of the right material for your needs.
Stainless steel hinges: pros and cons
Stainless steels come in different grades. This has nothing to do with quality, but rather, each grade is formulated differently. You can learn more in our guide, Understanding stainless-steel grades.
Pros:
● Corrosion resistance
Stainless steels are iron-based alloys with a minimum of 10.5% chromium. The more chromium, the more corrosion resistance. Over time, corrosion can form in crevices. Surface pitting can also develop, but this can take years to happen, depending on the grade.
● Strength-to-weight ratio
Stainless-steel door hinges can be thinner than other metal hinges, yet still maintain its strength while providing greater load-bearing capabilities. This can be reflected in the cost of the hinge, as you’re paying for less material.
● Temperature resistance
The chromium that makes stainless steel corrosion resistant also helps it stand up to high temperatures. Stainless steel also contains nickel and manganese, which helps the material withstand sub-zero temperatures. It does risk becoming brittle, but still, stainless steel hinges are ideal for outdoor applications.
Cons:
● Upfront cost
While the strength-to-weight ratio means thinner material can do the job, stainless steel can still be expensive compared to other metals. The cost, however, is upfront. Given the advantages of stainless steel, it offers good value for the money.
Aluminum hinges: pros and cons
Durable aluminum has low tensile strength, so it’s typically alloyed with other metals to improve its performance. This means that not all aluminum hinges are created equal. So much depends on the mechanical properties of the alloys used. Still, we can make some generalizations.
Pros:
● Lightweight
Pure aluminum is a lightweight material. Even with the addition of alloys, it remains light. Steel hinges are around 40% heavier than aluminum, which in turn weigh about a third of stainless steel hinges. This is why aluminum is so popular for components in industries such as automotive and aerospace.
● Long lasting
Don’t mistake these hinges’ light weight for lack of durability. These are long lasting. You can even find heavy-duty aluminum hinges.
● Resistance to cold temperatures
While aluminum doesn’t compare to stainless steel for withstanding hot temperatures, it does do a better job of resisting the cold. As already mentioned stainless steel can become brittle in freezing cold, while aluminum’s tensile strength increases.
● Corrosion resistance
As there is no iron in aluminum, hinges made from this material don’t rust – even when exposed to moisture. This is why aluminum hinges for boats are commonplace. Like stainless steel, aluminum hinges are ideal for outdoor applications.
● Workability
Stainless steel hinges are abrasion and wear resistant, while aluminum is a softer material. This makes aluminum hinges easier still to drill, for example.
Cons:
● Stainless steel vs aluminum strength is no contest. If toughness is your first priority, choose stainless steel over aluminum door hinges.
Hinge applications: examples
Both hinge materials serve many of the same applications. The differences between these materials are therefore more nuanced than distinct. For example, aluminum shutter hinges and those made of stainless steel both perform well outdoors. Your choice therefore might come down to cost, or if you need the toughest material. Below are examples of common applications for each material.
|
Application |
Stainless steel |
Aluminum |
|
Machinery covers |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Electrical panels |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Security doors |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Cabinets |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Enclosures |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Specialty vehicles |
|
✔ |
|
Gates |
✔ |
✔ |
|
Outdoor furniture |
|
✔ |
|
Generators |
✔ |
|
Heavy-duty hinges
These are needed to support and provide stability to frequently used heavy doors and gates. For interior doors, heavy-duty steel hinges are the norm while stainless-steel hinges for doors are used outside. Generally, grade 316 stainless steel exterior door hinges are considered heavy duty.
Another definition is simpler: heavy-duty stainless steel hinges and aluminum heavy-duty hinges use a thicker gauge of material than their everyday counterparts. Nearly every hinge has a heavy-duty version, such as heavy-duty stainless-steel lift-off hinges.
Types of stainless-steel hinges
Below are examples of stainless-steel and hinges, along with their uses.
Stainless-steel lift-off hinges make it easy to remove flush-mounted doors.
- Right-handed mounting
- Maximum rotation angle: 180°
- Electropolish finish
Ideal for: Electric panels and machinery covers
Threaded-stud mount leaf hinge
These stainless-steel hinges for doors are suited for both right- and left-hand applications.
- Flush-mounted doors with threaded stud installations
- Maximum rotation angle: 270°
- Electropolish finish
Ideal for: Plain/flush mounted doors, electrical panels and covers
Stainless steel strap hinge combined with a butt hinge, also known as a T hinge.
- Long leaf provides extra stability
- Maximum rotation angle: 180°
Ideal for: Generators, machinery covers, electric panels
Stainless-steel cabinet hinges ensure the door sits flush to a surface.
- Easy to remove door for access
- Universal mounting orientation
- Maximum rotation angle: 180°
Ideal for: Machinery covers and cabinets
Stainless-steel concealed hinges are installed inside enclosures to prevent tampering from the outside. These are a type of stainless-steel security hinges.
- Provides a minimalist look
- Maximum rotation angle: 120°
Ideal for: Metal enclosures and machinery covers
Types of aluminum hinges
Examples of aluminum hinges include the following:
Used when the hinge must be secured to a metal surface, especially when space is restricted.
- Installed by welding
- Flat surface for ease of welding
- Stainless-steel bullet hinges also available
Ideal for: Security doors, specialty vehicles, metal cabinets and gates; you can learn more in our Guide to weld-on bullet hinges.
Download free CADs and try before you buy
Free CADs are available for most solutions, which you can download. You can also request free samples to make sure you’ve chosen exactly what you need. If you’re not quite sure which solution will work best for your application, our experts are always happy to advise you.
Whatever your requirements, you can depend on fast despatch. Request your free samples or download free CADs now.
Questions?
Email us at sales@essentracomponents.com or speak to one of our experts for further information on the ideal solution for your application 800-847-0486.