Firstly, steel is much harder than plastic or wood, which is why most people prioritize steel furniture when choosing a piece.
In the steel office furniture industry, the material determines the product's lifespan; therefore, most people prioritize steel furniture.
So why is surface treatment so important for office furniture?
Steel itself has a major drawback-it rusts easily in humid environments and oxidizes upon contact with water. If not addressed promptly, this can lead to many problems during use. Conversely, using a high-quality coating for surface isolation achieves excellent results:
1. Longer lifespan
2. Less prone to scratches and dents
3. Effectively isolates from air and moisture
4. Resists daily water splashes and cleaning contact
Many people think this process is simply cutting and painting, but it's actually a complete and complex process: Material preparation-cutting-punching-bending-welding-semi-finished product trial assembly-acid pickling and phosphating-packaging.
After successful trial assembly, the product undergoes pickling, phosphating, and powder coating. This step removes rust, improves oxidation resistance, and passivates the product, enhancing its corrosion resistance.
After pickling and phosphating, drying is required, typically for 1-2 hours; otherwise, powder adhesion will be affected. After drying, powder coating is applied, either machine-based or manually. Machine coating often misses edges and the joints between panels, while manual coating requires careful control of the thickness; too thin or too thick a coating will affect aesthetics. Powder coating forms a layer with higher corrosion and wear resistance, and is also more environmentally friendly. Different parts require different spraying temperatures and speeds. After powder coating, the product needs to be dried again and finally placed separately with pearl cotton to prevent scratches.
In addition to surface treatment, we recommend carefully checking the following aspects when purchasing:
A. Feel the edges to see if they are smooth and burr-free; observe whether the surface coating is uniform; check if welds are completely covered and free of rust risk.
B. Uniform color, no color difference
C. Moderate thickness, textured feel
Good steel products depend on quality selection, but more importantly, on daily use and maintenance. A slightly thinner but well-crafted steel cabinet will definitely be much more durable than a very thick but poorly made cabinet. Value is not only measured in money, but also in the investment in the product's lifespan.
