Metal profile
Metal profile
In furniture construction, metal profiles are used to support or connect wooden panels or boards. Especially in cabinets and storage cupboards with large storage capacity and few demands on aesthetics, metal profiles are often used to create a repetitive structure in which plywood particleboard or other panels can be placed. They are ideal for demountable and adjustable furniture.
Metal profiles exist of a tube or have a L-shaped section in order to form a stable structure. They are provided with holes at regular distances to make connections between profiles in various places. Metal profiles are usually made of aluminium, galvanized steel or stainless steel.
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High energy Using metal profiles, the embodied energy of wood increases rapidly. For example, with the energy required to produce only 1 kg of stainless steel you can produce 19 kg of Scots pine wood, for 1 kg of aluminum 27 kg (TU Delft Ecocost database)
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High footprint Metal profiles are definitely the components of woodworking that are produced at the highest environmental costs. Although metals can be recycled, you never know for sure that it will.
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Non toxic No toxics offgas or leach from metal. Quick Using more metal than wood you will save a lot of time, but most of the environmental benefits of working with wood risk to be nullified. |
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Non toxic No toxics offgas or leach from metal Long lifespan Very much depending on the quality, size, and purpose of the profile that is used of course, but they can make a highly durable connection and structural reinforcement. |
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Easy recycling Steel or iron that is used to make metal profiles can be recycled 100%. |
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Other Connections
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Examples on Harvestmap.org