Why do stainless steel hinges rust? How to prevent it?

When brown rust spots are found on the surface of stainless steel hinges, it is generally mistakenly believed that there is a quality problem with the stainless steel. In fact, this idea stems from a misunderstanding of stainless steel hinges. To understand the reason for rusting hinges, let Xuan Yi reveal the answer for you.

The surface treatment of hinges can be divided into two types: spraying and electroplating, which are two completely different surface treatment processes. Spraying, also known as baking paint, is the process of using resin powder as a base and adding other chemical color components to create different colors, such as white, black, coffee, etc. After spraying the powder onto the surface of the hinge, it is baked at high temperature to melt the powder and evenly adhere to the hinge surface. So as to beautify the surface and resist corrosion.

So what is the reason for rust? One is inadequate surface treatment, such as blind spots in spraying; The other is caused by scratches, bumps, and other damages to the surface coating after spraying. The main reasons for electroplating rust can be understood in two aspects. Firstly, there are process treatment issues in electroplating production, such as acid washing before electroplating. The purpose of acid washing is to make the surface of the black embryo hinge to be plated clean and free of impurities. Impurities will affect the quality of electroplating. Only hinges with a clean and impurity free surface can fully conduct electricity during electroplating, and thus fully receive the adhesion of metal ions in the electroplating solution, forming an electroplating layer. The electroplating layer is the key to ensuring the beauty of hinges and maintaining their corrosion resistance.

In principle, the thicker the electroplating layer, the more complete the electroplating, and the corresponding electroplating time is longer. The thicker the electroplating layer, the higher its surface resistance to salt spray and corrosion. Secondly, the protection of the electroplating layer after electroplating is necessary to avoid collision and scratching. After electroplating, collision and scratching can easily scratch the electroplating layer, exposing the iron inside. As a result, when the air humidity increases, it is easy to oxidize, making the hinges prone to rusting.

The following are commonly seen in daily life:

1. The surface of stainless steel hinges contains dust or foreign metal particles containing other metal elements. In humid air, the condensed water between the attachments and stainless steel forms a micro battery, triggering an electrochemical reaction that damages the protective film, known as electrochemical corrosion.

2. The surface of stainless steel hinge hinges adheres to organic substances such as vegetables, soup, phlegm, etc. In the presence of water and oxygen, organic acids are formed, which can corrode the metal surface over time.

3. The surface of stainless steel hinges adheres to substances containing acids, alkalis, and salts (such as alkali water and lime water splashes from decorating walls), causing local corrosion.

4. In polluted air (such as atmosphere containing a large amount of sulfides, carbon oxides, and nitrogen oxides), encountering condensed water can form sulfuric acid, nitric acid, and acetic acid droplets, causing chemical corrosion. All of the above situations can cause damage to the protective film on the surface of stainless steel hinges, leading to corrosion.

So, in order to ensure that the metal surface remains bright and not corroded, it is necessary to regularly clean and scrub the stainless steel hinge surface of the cabinet, remove attachments, and eliminate external factors that may cause decoration. If used and maintained improperly, stainless steel will rust. At the same time, be aware that mechanical abrasives, sediment, hard water, and bleach can cause stainless steel to rust.

1. Solution for rusted hinges:

1. Use rust remover to remove the rust on the hinges, but it is necessary to follow the correct use of rust remover in order to better remove the rust;

2. Remove the hinges directly, but this requires two people to assist together. Remove the rusted hinges and install the new hinges into the holes left on the original door frame;

3. When purchasing hinges, be sure to choose stainless steel because it can prevent hinges from rusting and is also more durable. The selection should also be of better quality;

4. Apply some oil to the hinges to lubricate them and make them smoother to use, without encountering any problems when opening or closing doors;

5. The hinges should be cleaned as much as possible in daily life, because hinges are contaminated with dust and may change over time, so cleaning is also extremely important;

6. Rust on hinges should indeed be taken seriously, as it is difficult to guarantee that the door will collapse due to this, so it is important to pay attention to the expiration date and replace it in a timely manner.

2. Preventive measures for rust free hinges:

Firstly, it is necessary to understand the process and method of surface treatment for hinges. Strictly speaking, under certain other conditions, the surface treatment of hinges is directly proportional to their rust prevention ability, that is, the better the surface treatment, the stronger the rust prevention ability, and the worse the surface treatment, the worse the rust prevention ability. So the surface treatment of hinges also affects the grade of the product and its service life in terms of corrosion resistance.

1. Do not leave water stains on the hinges for a long time. If water stains are accidentally left on it, it is necessary to immediately dry it with a dry cloth or tissue to prevent rusting of the hinges.

2. Avoid stains such as oil, salt, sauce, and vinegar on the hinges. Getting these things on is the same process as dealing with water stains.

3. When using hinges, pay attention to the amount of force applied. Do not use too much force or force to push or pull, as hinges can easily loosen or even detach from doors and windows.

4. Pay attention to the opening and closing direction of hinges, and open or close them according to their opening and closing direction.

5. After using it for a period of time, lubricate it with oil. This can not only prevent rust, but also make the hinge opening smoother.

6. When purchasing hinges, it is important to choose high-quality materials with fine workmanship, smooth luster, etc., which can prevent hinges from rusting and are also durable.

Usually, hinge maintenance is not taken seriously. In fact, hinge maintenance is very important. Proper maintenance can not only extend the service life of hinges, but also reduce costs. Here are a few maintenance methods for hinges:

1. The hinges should be kept clean and dry. If they come into contact with water, they should be wiped dry in a timely manner to prevent the formation of watermarks;

2. Do not use steel wire balls or hardened cloths for wiping, and do not use chemical cleaning agents or acidic liquids for cleaning, in order to avoid damaging the surface, causing scratches and erosion;

3. When cleaning the hinge, first gently wipe off the surface stains with a soft cloth, and then use a cloth strip dipped in rust proof machine oil to wipe, keeping the page dry at all times;

4. Apply a layer of polishing wax on the surface of the hinge appropriately, which can effectively prevent corrosion from other substances;

5. Proper use of lubricants to avoid the noise caused by the rotation of hinges over time;

6. Do not use sharp or hard objects to scrape the surface. Instead, use a damp cloth to scrub or dip it in neutral detergent or cleaning agent, and then apply a drying agent.

7. Do not place high-temperature items directly on furniture hardware accessories (glass, stainless steel, hardware handles, etc.). Use tripods, insulation pads, etc. to avoid surface discoloration or blistering.

8. Keep hardware accessories clean. If water stains are accidentally caused on the surface during use, they should be wiped dry after use. Keep the surface clean and dry regularly.

9. If there are serious stains or scratches on the surface, or if there are burns caused by fireworks, you can use fine sandpaper (400-500) to lightly polish the surface, and then use a white cleaning cloth to scrub.

10. Metal guide rails, hinges, mother and child hinges, etc. should be regularly lubricated with lubricating oil to maintain bright lubrication. Never hit or scratch the surface of hardware accessories with hard objects or sharp objects, and avoid contact with hydrochloric acid, salt, brine, and other characteristics.

Foshan Xuanyi Technology Equipment Co., Ltd. is a manufacturing and manufacturing company that integrates production, design, research and development, and sales. With 17 years of production practice experience, a modern production base, automated production equipment, and an elite team in the industry, we are committed to producing various materials (stainless steel, iron, copper, aluminum, titanium) including hinge series, chain plate series, hinge series, door and window hardware stamping accessories series.