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Introduction
Drawer hinges are an essential component of furniture design, allowing for smooth opening and closing of drawers. However, over time, these hinges can experience fatigue and failure, leading to issues with functionality and safety. In this study, we investigate the fatigue life and failure mechanisms of drawer hinges to better understand the factors that contribute to hinge failure.
Experimental Methods
Our study involved subjecting drawer hinges to various loads and cyclic stresses to simulate real-world usage conditions. We used a universal testing machine to apply loads to the hinges and monitored the stress and strain response of the hinges over time. We also conducted visual inspections of the hinges to identify any signs of wear or damage.
Results and Discussion
Our experiments revealed several key findings regarding the fatigue life and failure mechanisms of drawer hinges. Firstly, we found that the fatigue life of the hinges was highly dependent on the load and stress conditions they were subjected to. Hinges that were exposed to higher loads and cyclic stresses had a shorter fatigue life than those that were subjected to lower loads. Secondly, we observed that hinge failure was often caused by the development of cracks and fractures in the hinge material. These cracks typically originated at stress concentrations such as corners or edges and propagated over time until the hinge failed completely. Finally, we found that the material properties of the hinge, such as its hardness and ductility, also played a significant role in determining its fatigue life and failure mechanisms.