How to distinguish between good and bad materials in sheet metal filing cabinets?

How to distinguish between good and bad materials in sheet metal filing cabinets

Metal filing cabinets, also called steel cabinets, are, as the name suggests, primarily made of steel plates. But what exactly is a true metal filing cabinet? The editor from Henan Huadu Times Furniture will introduce it to you:

The most basic material for metal filing cabinets is cold-rolled steel sheet. Cold-rolled steel sheet is made from hot-rolled coils, rolled at room temperature below the recrystallization temperature. It is steel sheet produced through a cold-rolling process, with a moderate carbon content, generally below 2.0%, hence the name "cold-rolled sheet." The thickness of cold-rolled sheet is generally between 0.1 and 8.0 mm, with the thickness and width determined by the equipment capabilities of each factory and market demand. Cold-rolled steel sheet has a smooth surface and excellent processing. The process involves sheet metal work, bending, punching, welding into finished products, inspection, qualified products, hot water washing (pre-degreasing), degreasing, water washing, hydrochloric acid rust removal, water washing, water washing, neutralization, water washing, surface conditioning, water washing, phosphating coating, pure water washing, powder coating, and high-temperature curing, ultimately transforming it into a filing cabinet.

Metal Filing Cabinet Material Specifications

The choice of materials for sheet metal filing cabinets directly determines their quality stability and aesthetic appearance. The first consideration is the thickness of the sheet metal. In the market, filing cabinets are generally categorized by thickness into thick and thin sheet metal cabinets. Currently, the common thin sheet metal filing cabinets on the market typically have a steel plate thickness of 0.3-0.5mm, while thick sheet metal cabinets are generally 0.6-0.8mm. The finishing coating adds another 0.1mm-0.2mm to the thickness. Because thin sheet metal filing cabinets use such thin materials, their load-bearing capacity and durability cannot be guaranteed. These are products resulting from excessive price competition and continuous cost-cutting, and strictly speaking, they do not meet the actual needs of users for sheet metal filing cabinets. Therefore, only by choosing sheet metal filing cabinets with a bare sheet thickness of 0.6mm or more before coating can the long-term use of the filing cabinet be guaranteed.

However, the thickness of the sheet metal is not the sole determinant of a metal filing cabinet's quality; the quality of the material itself is far more important. Even with the same thickness, steel plates produced using different materials will yield vastly different qualities. High-quality materials result in filing cabinets with moderate carbon content, making them more suitable for bending, stamping, and assembly, leading to a smoother, more aesthetically pleasing, and more stable finished product. The advantage of cold-rolled steel sheets is their moderate hardness, ensuring minimal bending errors during manufacturing and a smooth, wave-free surface. Filing cabinets made with high-quality materials have flat, minimal errors, resulting in a neat and aesthetically pleasing appearance, unlike some inferior sheets that appear wavy from a distance, affecting both appearance and product stability. A high-quality sheet metal filing cabinet will have a smooth, bright surface, with an even smoother finish after painting, providing an excellent feel and making the metal filing cabinet look stylish and modern in an office setting. Therefore, sheet metal thickness is not the only criterion for judging the quality of a metal filing cabinet; the quality of the sheet metal itself is paramount.

Besides the materials used in the filing cabinet, the surface coating and workmanship are also important factors in determining its quality. This discussion will only cover materials and will not delve into details. When purchasing a metal filing cabinet, don't be misled by low prices, and don't get caught up in the misconception of steel plate thickness alone. Pay more attention to whether the steel plate meets national standards, its quality, the manufacturer, and the subsequent production processes. Ultimately, you should consider the manufacturer's production capabilities and brand reputation.