How to Choose the Right Hinge: Types, Materials, and Applications

Hinges are indispensable parts in daily necessities and industrial equipment.
Whether it is furniture cabinet doors, car hoods, or factory access doors, hinges bear the key functions of connection and rotation. Hinge selection is related to product performance and safety, improper selection can easily lead to door sagging, jamming or hidden danger.
This article will explain in detail the hinge material classification, common types, applicable scenes, and provide selection guide.

What Is a Hinge?

Basic Definition

Hinge is a mechanical device that consists of two metal pieces (hinge pieces) connected by a hinge pin. Its core function is to allow the object to rotate around a fixed axis, while dispersing the pressure generated by the movement. For example, a door opens and closes smoothly through a hinge, while the pivot point inside the hinge reduces friction and extends service life.

The Basic Structure of the Hinge

Hinge Piece (Leaf)

Metal piece fixed on the surface of the object, usually with mounting holes.

Hinge Section (Knuckle)

Connect the two hinge pieces of cylindrical structure, internal hinge pin.

Hinge Pin (Pin)

Inserted into the hinge section of the metal shaft, determines the hinge’s ability to rotate.

The Working Principle of the Hinge

Hinge is a mechanical device to realize rotary motion, which is composed of three parts: shaft, blade and bearing. The core principle is to provide a stable rotating pivot point through the shaft, two or more metal blades are fixed to the connecting objects (e.g. door and door frame), and the bearing structure takes the load and reduces the friction resistance. When an external force is applied to the object, the blades move in an arc around the center of the shaft, and the ball or lubricant inside the bearing makes the rotation smoother. According to mechanical design, the load-bearing capacity of hinges depends on the thickness of the shaft diameter, the thickness of the blades and the strength of the material. Common types include hinge hinges, spring hinges and concealed hinges. Modern hinges have both durability and silent effect through precision machining and surface treatment technology, which are widely used in doors, windows, furniture, industrial equipment and other fields, and are the key functional parts to realize the limited angle of the object opening and closing.

Hinge Material Classification: Metal vs Plastic

Metal Hinge

Plastic Hinge

Common Hinge Types and Application Scenarios

Types of Hinges

Classified by Structure

Functional Hinges

Specialized Hinges

Application Scenarios

Cabinet Doors

Keep a clean look with hidden hinges;

In Industrial Scenarios

Need to support the weight of large access panels (e.g. mechanical, electrical cabinets) to prevent deformation or falling off

Electronic Products

Laptops, cell phones, etc. need to accurately control the screen opening and closing angle (e.g. 0-180 ° free hovering)

Automotive Field

Doors and hoods are exposed to rain and salt spray for a long time, so stainless steel or galvanized material is needed to prevent corrosion.

Hinge Selection Key Factors

Opening Angle

Determine the opening and closing angle of the door, different hinges support 90° to 270° rotation range.

Demand for Disassembly

Removable hinges can be separated quickly without tools, which is convenient for maintenance and repair.

Material Matching

Stainless steel for outdoor use to resist corrosion, brass/plastic for indoor decoration.

Load-Bearing

Door thickness over 40mm requires reinforced hinges to match the thickness to ensure stability.

Appearance Design

Open hinges are decorative, concealed hinges are hidden to enhance the safety and beauty.

Positioning Function

The torque hinge can realize any angle hovering/automatic return control.

Anti-Corrosion Grade

Chemical/coastal environments prioritize 316 stainless steel or Teflon coating.

Environmental Sealing

IP54 grade or above waterproof hinges are suitable for humid/dusty/extreme temperature difference environments.

Conclusion

Hinge as the core component of connection and rotation, selection needs to take into account the material, function and scene.
Metal hinges (stainless steel, steel) are suitable for load-bearing or humid environments, while plastic hinges (nylon, ABS) are suitable for lightweight or corrosion-resistant needs. Common types include concealed (cabinets), spring-loaded (self-closing) and torque hinges (screen hover).
Selection keys include load capacity, opening angle, corrosion resistance (e.g. IP54) and environmental suitability (stainless steel for outdoor use).
Industrial scenarios require reinforced hinges to prevent deformation, and electronic equipment requires precise angle control. Priority should be given to ISO certified products to ensure performance and safety.

Hinge Glossary

Basic Hinge Terminology

Term	Definition
Pin / Hinge	The part that connects the two leaves and provides the axis of rotation.
Leaf	The part of the hinge that attaches to the door and frame.
Pivot	The central rotating part; used in some heavy-duty hinges.
Opening Angle	The maximum degree to which a hinge can open (e.g., 90°, 180°).
Closing Force	The force exerted by the hinge when closing; some have spring-assisted closure.
Mounting Hole	Hole for screws to fix the hinge during installation.
Center Distance	The spacing between mounting holes that determines installation position.

Construction and Mounting Terminology

Term	Definition
Surface Mount	The hinge is installed on the outer surface of the door and frame.
Concealed Mount / Hidden Mount	Hidden after installation; common in furniture applications.
Inset Mount	Door is fully embedded within the frame.
Half Overlay	Door partially overlaps the frame edge.
Full Overlay	Door completely overlaps the frame edge.
Threaded Hole	Allows screws to be driven into pre-threaded holes.
Weld-on Mount	Hinge is welded directly to the metal frame.

Type Terminology

Term	Definition
Spring Hinge	Built-in spring for automatic closing or opening.
Damping Hinge / Soft-Close Hinge	Equipped with a damping mechanism to slow door closure.
Folding Hinge	Multi-stage foldable hinge used for folding doors.
Detachable Hinge	Allows for quick removal without tools.
Lift-off Hinge	Removable by lifting, allowing easy maintenance.
Heavy-Duty Hinge	Designed for high loads or large doors.
Continuous Hinge / Piano Hinge	Runs along the full length of the door or panel.
Center Hinge / Pivot Hinge	Pivot point located on or near the door’s centerline.

Functional Features Terminology

Term	Definition
Self-Closing Function	Automatically closes the door after opening.
Stay-Open Function	Keeps the door open at a specific angle.
Soft-Close	Cushions the door when closing to avoid impact.
Corrosion Resistance	Surface treated to prevent rust or corrosion.
Waterproof Design	Prevents water ingress through the hinge area.
Heat Resistance	Withstands high temperatures without deformation.

Material and Finish Terms

Term	Definition
Stainless Steel	Corrosion-resistant, commonly 304 or 316 grade.
Carbon Steel	Strong and cost-effective, often used indoors.
Zinc Alloy	Aesthetic and commonly used for furniture hardware.
Anodized	Treated aluminum surface for enhanced corrosion resistance.
Galvanized	Zinc-coated surface to resist corrosion.
Electrophoresis	Uniform coating process to increase durability and corrosion resistance.