If you’re thinking about using a living hinge, you might be wondering how much weight it can support. Living hinges typically aren’t used in high load-bearing applications. Instead, they are used in applications involving repeated flex cycles. All hinges, however, have a load capacity — and living hinges are no exception.
Max Load Per Linear Inch
The load capacity of living hinges is typically measured in max load per inch. As the name suggests, this represents the maximum load a living hinge can safety withstand per inch of hinge length.
How to Calculate the Load Capacity of a Living Hinge
You can calculate a living hinge’s load capacity by taking its max load per linear inch and multiplying that number by the length of the hinge (in inches). Most living hinges have a max load of about 100 pounds per linear inch. With this specification, a 2-inch living hinge has a load capacity of about 200 pounds, whereas a 4-inch living hinge has a load capacity of about 400 pounds.
Living Hinge vs Standard Hinge Load Capacities
Living hinges and standard hinges have different load capacities. Living hinges are characterized by a flexible construction. They don’t have leafs, a pin or a knuckle. Instead, they consist of a single strip of flexible material, such as polypropylene. Standard hinges, on the other hand, are rigid and consist of several parts. This rigid design typically allows them to withstand heavier loads.
Most standard hinges have a flat load capacity. Some of them have a 100-pound load capacity, whereas others have a 150- or 200-pound load capacity. Living hinges don’t have a flat load capacity such as this. Instead, their load capacity is based on the length of the hinge.
What Affects a Living Hinge’s Load Capacity?
The main factor that affects a living hinge’s load capacity is the length. A long living hinge will have a higher load capacity than a shorter living hinge. This is because they distribute the load across their entire body. If you use a short living hinge, the load will be focused and isolated, resulting in a lower load capacity.
Thickness is another factor that affects a living hinge’s load capacity. While all living hinges are made of a flexible material, some of them are thicker than others. Living hinges made of a thick material typically have a higher load capacity than those made of a thinner material.