Importance of Friction Hinges in Austenitic steel for Coastal Climate
The most popular material of construction for Friction Hinges are:
- SS430 – FERRITIC STEEL
- SS304 / SS316 – AUSTENITIC STEEL
SS430 has higher Chromium (17%) content but less Nickel (0.5%) content making it magnetic. It is cheaper and suitable for dry climatic conditions.
SS304 has higher Chromium (18%) and Nickel (8%) content making it non-magnetic. It is costly (80-90%) compared to SS430, and strongly recommended for humid Coastal climatic conditions.
In coastal climate, the chance of catching rust is high and SS430 is prone to rusting. Therefore, it is essential that the Friction Hinges used in Coastal areas are made out of SS304.
The most common austenitic stainless steel is SS 304, also known as 18/8. SS 304 is extensively used in such items as, cookware, cutlery, and kitchen equipment. SS 316 is slightly superior than SS304.
Austenitic steels are non-magnetic stainless steels which contain high levels of chromium and nickel and low levels of carbon. Known for their formability and resistance to corrosion, austenitic steels are most widely used grade of stainless steel.
Since UPVC windows have a long life of 35-40 years, it is essential that the hardware like Friction Hinge should be long lasting and trouble-free. To ensure this in Coastal climate, it is essential that Friction Hinges are made out of Austenitic steel.
