What are line pins made from?

29th February 2020


What are line pins made from?


	Shop for Line Pins


		Metal line pins
		Line pins are typically made from a single piece of forged steel that has been tempered for hardness and given a chrome or zinc coating to protect it from corrosion.

		Steel Steel is metallic compound formed when iron and carbon are alloyed together. Adding small amounts of carbon to iron improves its strength, hardness and durability.

		Forging Forging is a manufacturing process whereby steel is deformed (usually whilst hot) into desired shapes by compressive force such as hammering. Shaping the steel whilst hot allows you to make very intricate designs and, depending on how quickly or slowly it is cooled, it can be given various levels of hardness.

		Tempering Tempering is a metallurgy process whereby iron-based metals are heat-treated and cooled to improve qualities such as hardness and strength.

		Chrome coating Chromium (or more commonly “chrome”) is a metallic element used in many manufacturing processes. Many products are given a thin outer coating of chrome. This may be for purely decorative reasons, or to increase corrosion resistance, ease cleaning procedures or increase surface hardness.

		Zinc coating Zinc coating is a manufacturing process whereby a product is coated with a thin outer layer of zinc. Zinc is a silvery-white metal element, and coating a product with it prevents oxidisation and corrosion. It also makes it easier to clean and more aesthetically pleasing.

		Plastic line pins
		There are also line pins made of impact-resistant polycarbonate plastic, though these are less common than their metal counterparts.

		Polycarbonate Polycarbonates are thermoplastic polymers that are easily thermoformed and moulded into specific and sometimes intricate shapes. Thermoforming is a process whereby plastics are heated until malleable and then shaped in a mould into a usable product. Because of their readiness to be worked, polycarbonates are used in many manufacturing processes and find many applications for their use.

		Impact resistance Impact resistance means that the plastic line pins will not easily snap or shatter if dropped or struck.