Ever wonder what factors affect the load capacity of a hinge? Hinges are commonly used on heavy objects, such as doors and gates. As mechanical bearings, they connect objects to an adjacent surface while allowing for a limited angle of rotation. Hinges, however, must be able to support the weight of the objects with which they are used.
Cabinet hinges are designed for light-duty applications and typically have a load capacity of 20 to 50 pounds. Door hinges are designed for medium-duty applications, boasting a slightly higher load capacity of about 200 to 500 pounds. There are also hinges designed for heavy-duty applications, such as gates, that often have a load capacity of 1,000 pounds or more. Here are some of the top factors that affect a hinge’s load capacity.
Leaf Size
The size of a hinge’s leafs will affect its load capacity. Most hinges have two leafs that, when interlocked together, form a knuckle in the center. The bigger a hinge’s leafs, the more weight it will be able to support.
Wide and thick leafs allow hinges to accommodate more weight. They better weight distribution so that the hinge is exposed to less stress.
Pin Size
Hinges with a large, thick pin will typically have a higher load capacity than those with a smaller pin. The pin is responsible for holding the two leafs together. If it fails, so will the hinge. The two leafs will separate, at which point the hinge will no longer support the object with which it’s used.
Some hinges have larger pins than others. Heavy-duty hinges, for instance, often have thick pins so that they can support gates and other heavy objects. Light-duty hinges often have thin hinges — simply because they don’t need to support a lot of weight.
Material
The material from which a hinge is made will affect its load capacity. You can find hinges in a variety of materials, some of which include carbon steel, stainless steel, brass, bronze and aluminum.
Carbon steel is an iron alloy with a high concentration of carbon. It’s exceptionally strong and durable, making it a popular choice for heavy-duty hinges. Stainless steel has a lower concentration of carbon and a higher concentration of chromium, which helps to protect it from corrosion. Brass and bronze hinges lack the strength of their steel counterparts but offer an attractive rustic finish that many consumers prefer. Finally, aluminum hinges are lightweight and used in light-duty applications.