Contrary to common belief, not all hinges have a knuckle or pin. Some hinges are made of a single piece of flexible material, thereby eliminating the need for these parts. Known as living hinges, they are used to connect two objects. Below are five facts about living hinges.
#1) Silent Operation
Living hinges don’t squeak like traditional hinges. Thanks to their flexible construction, they operate silently. Living hinges are flexible. You can pull and bend them without breaking them. And even when used over the course of several years, living hinges will operate silently; you won’t have to worry about them squeaking.
#2) Made of Alloyed Polymer
While traditional hinges are typically made of stainless steel, carbon steel or aluminum, living hinges are made of alloyed polymer. Alloyed polymer is a flexible material with rubber-like properties. Most living hinges are made by injecting heated alloyed polymer into a mold cavity.
#3) Maintenance Free
Living hinges don’t require any maintenance. They are one of the few types of maintenance-free hinges. Other types of hinges may require lubrication. As dirt accumulates inside of a hinge’s knuckle, it may no longer rotate smoothly. Spraying a small amount of lubricating into the knuckle will reduce friction while promoting a smoother operation.
But living hinges don’t have a knuckle, so they don’t require lubrication. Living hinges also don’t feature threaded fasteners, so you won’t have to tighten them.
#4) Supports a Variety of Application
You’ve probably used a living hinge in the past. The caps on certain types of medicine bottles consist of a living hinge. Cosmetic products like shampoo and conditioner may also consist of a living hinge. Some food snacks even use a living hinge for their respective cap. The bottom line is that living hinges support a variety of applications/
#5) Inexpensive
Living hinges are inexpensive. While prices vary, they typically cost less than traditional hinges. As previously mentioned, living hinges are made of alloyed polymer. Alloyed polymer almost always costs less than steel, aluminum and other materials from which traditional hinges are made.
You can also purchase living hinges in rolls. Living hinges aren’t sold individually. Rather, they are typically sold in rolls of alloyed polymer. Some of these rolls are 50 feet long, whereas others are 100 feet long. After receiving a roll, you can cut it into strips — with each strip being a separate living hinge. Because they are sold in rolls, living hinges cost less than traditional hinges.