Glossary

A - C

Anodising

Anodizing changes the surface chemistry of metals to protect it from corrosion, scratches and other impact damage. Other than increasing the strength of the metal, it also raises aesthetic quality.

Antimicrobial

Copper and its alloys, such as brass and bronze, have antimicrobial properties. They prevent the spread of germs through their surfaces.

Alloy

An alloy is an admixture of metals, which forms an impure substance (admixture) that retains the characteristics of a metal. Alloys are made by mixing two or more elements, at least one of which is a metal.

Bar Handles

We use the term Bar when the product is bar/cylinder-shaped. Bar handles are adaptable to many different furniture styles and always manage to look clean and contemporary.

Bending

Bending is one of the popular sheet metal processing processes. There is plenty of bending in metal manufacturing such as to make v-shapes, u-shapes or channel shapes. It is mostly done to sheet metal through heavy machinery.

Backplate

The spine of the hardware which sticks to surfaces and gives the product it’s carrying (pulling) strength.

Casting

It’s the process of pouring liquid metal into a mould. Once the metal solidifies, it takes on the shape of the mould of the desired shape.

Clear coating

Clear coat or protective coating is the transparent layer of paint used to protect a surface. It prevents the surface from environmental damage and increases its longevity.

Corrosion

Natural decay that occurs through the life of all products. Refined metal reacts to the environment and gets rusted over time. It is the gradual destruction of materials by chemical and/or electrochemical reaction with their environment.

D - L

Ductility

It is a material’s ability to be stretched until failure. If ductile, a metal can be stretched into a wire and it is similar to malleability.

Engraving

It is the process of removing materials to leave a permanent mark on a surface. It is mostly used to write or draw on products.

Ebonised

Ebonisation is the process of darkening wood to make the tone ebony.

Finishing Hardware

visible or exposed hardware

Formability

The capacity of a material, as sheet steel, to be readily bent, stamped, shaped etc.. A metal with a long body has good formability because it can take on a lot of stress.

Handle

Any component used to grip or hold onto an object. It could be an extension of the object itself or attached to the product separately.

Living Finish

When the material is left natural with no protective layer, it results in natural ageing aka the popular ‘vintage finish’.

M - P

Machining

It is the process of removing material to shape a product into a desired form. Power tools and heavy machinery is necessary for this process.

Malleability

Malleability is similar to ductility. It is a material’s ability to be reformed into a different shape after putting it through intense pressure. For example - hammering a metal into a metal sheet. Or Bending a rod to desired shape.

Matte

Having a dull or lustreless surface. Finishes that absorb light and not reflect is known as matte.

Oxidize

Metals oxidise naturally as they react to oxygen in the air. Stainless steel and Brass are alloys of metals which resist oxidation.

Pattina

It is the natural green colour that copper or bronze takes on over time and exposure to the environment. Usually green film formed naturally on copper and bronze by long exposure or artificially (as by acids) and often valued aesthetically for its colour.

Powder Coating

It is the process of coating a product with dry powder. It is different from applying liquid paint to a product and more durable. It is applied electrostatically and then cured under heat or with ultraviolet light.

R - T

Recessed

A space which is artificially created into a wall to fit another element like a window, cabinet or lamp.

Sand-blasting

It’s the process of removing rust or impurities from surfaces by blasting fine sand at high pressure onto the corroded surface.

Shou Sugi Ban

It’s a Japanese practice of charring wood to turn it black and also make it waterproof. After burning the wood, you can remove the excess char, clean it and then apply oil to give it a glossy finish.

Taping

The process of drawing threads into the surface so that it can accommodate screws. A thread is a uniform ridge drawn down the exterior or interior of a cylinder.

Threading

It’s the process of installing ridges on the outer diameter to make screws.