What Metal is a Filing Cabinet Made Of?
A filing cabinet is an essential piece of office furniture used to store important documents and records securely. While filing cabinets may look simple, they are precision-engineered for durability, security, and ease of use. One of the most critical design elements of a filing cabinet is the metal used in its construction. Selecting the right metal impacts the cabinet’s strength, weight, corrosion resistance, fire resistance, and overall lifespan.
Steel is the Most Common Metal for Filing Cabinets
The vast majority of modern filing cabinets are made of steel. Steel is a strong, durable, and cost-effective metal perfect for fabricating the panels, drawers, rails, and frames of a filing cabinet. The most commonly used steel alloys include:
- Cold-rolled steel – This is steel that has been processes through a rolling mill to improve strength and precision. Cold-rolled steel has a smooth, clean finish ideal for filing cabinets.
- Galvanized steel – Steel that has been coated with zinc to prevent rusting and corrosion. Galvanized steel offers excellent corrosion resistance for long-term durability.
- Stainless steel – Steel alloyed with nickel, chromium, manganese and other metals to resist corrosion, rust, and stains. Stainless steel provides the ultimate in durability and ease of cleaning. It is more expensive than other steels.
Steel thicknesses typically range from 20 to 22 gauge for most office filing cabinets. Key parts may use even thicker 16 to 18 gauge steel for added strength. The steel grants filing cabinets their sturdy feel and provides security for confidential contents.
Aluminum and Titanium Offer Lightweight Alternatives
While steel reigns supreme for most filing cabinets, metals like aluminum and titanium are also sometimes used:
- Aluminum – A lightweight metal that offers good corrosion resistance. Aluminum filing cabinets weigh up to 50% less than steel for easier mobility. However, aluminum is not as strong or secure as steel.
- Titanium – An ultra-light, ultra-strong and corrosion resistant metal. Titanium offers the highest strength-to-weight ratio of any metal. It is also more costly. Titanium is sometimes employed in high-security or fireproof cabinets but remains uncommon in most office settings.
Metal Choice Impacts Strength, Weight, and Fire Rating
The metal selected for a filing cabinet has direct impacts on:
- Strength – Steel offers the greatest tensile strength, load capacity and impact resistance. Aluminum and titanium dent and deform more easily under force.
- Weight – Steel cabinets tend to be heavy, with large 4 or 5-drawer models weighing 200 pounds or more. Aluminum and titanium filing cabinets weigh around 50% less.
- Fire protection – Steel withstands heat and offers fire protection far longer than aluminum. Special high-temperature coatings can further improve fire resistance.
- Corrosion – Stainless steel best resists moisture damage. Galvanized and aluminum also resist corrosion well. Cold-rolled steel can corrode over time.
- Cost – Steel is the most economical choice. Stainless steel costs 2-3x more. Titanium 10x more. Aluminum lies in the middle price-wise.
In summary, steel offers the best balance of durability, security, and cost-effectiveness for most filing cabinets. But alternative metals give specialized options for mobility and fireproofing. Consider the needs of your office to select the ideal filing cabinet metal.
Filing Cabinet Construction Varies by Price Point
It’s not just the metal that determines filing cabinet quality. Engineering and manufacturing processes also play key roles, affecting structural rigidity and precision.
Basic Office-Grade Filing Cabinets
Affordable filing cabinets found in most offices feature:
- Cold-rolled steel construction
- Spot welded frames
- Fold-over edges for moderate structural reinforcement
- Thinner gauge steel (around 22 gauge)
- Decent precision but some play in the drawers
While cost-effective, these units have more flex and lower weight capacities than commercial or industrial filing cabinets. But they suffice for most paper document storage needs.
Commercial and Industrial Grade Cabinets
Heavy-duty filing cabinets designed for high-capacity or legal/fireproof storage employ:
- Thick, reinforced cold-rolled or stainless steel (16 to 18 gauge)
- All-welded and reinforced frames
- Full-extension, ball-bearing drawer slides
- Tight manufacturing tolerances for seamless operation
- Optional features like locks, counters, or fireproof insulation
These premium cabinets handle heavy loads with minimal flex and open/close smoothly despite crammed contents. The all-welded construction resists prying or forcing open. And features like fireproofing provide an added layer of protection.
Key Differences Between Grades
| Feature | Office Grade | Commercial Grade |
|-|-|-|
| Steel Gauge | 22 | 16 to 18 |
| Construction | Spot welded | All welded |
| Drawer Slides | Small, no ball bearings | Full extension, ball bearing |
| Tolerances | Moderate | Very Tight |
| Features | Basic | Reinforced/fireproof options |
Locks and Drawer Slides Are Also Essential Components
Filing cabinets incorporate a few other key components beyond the core metal framing:
Locks
- Cam or plunger – Most common. A cam mechanism engages notches or slots to lock drawers. Provides moderate security.
- Pin tumbler – High security locks like on safes. Key lifts pin tumblers to engage. Provides excellent security.
- Electronic – Digital keypad or RFID unlocking. Adds convenience. Some integrate auditing.
- Biometric – Scan fingerprints or retinas to unlock. Ultimate security but very expensive.
Drawer Slides
- Friction slide – Basic nylon or plastic glides. No ball bearings. Sticks over time as grit accumulates.
- Ball bearing full extension – High precision ball bearing rolls for effortless motion. Allows full drawer extension.
- Soft-close – Drawers close slowly and softly with a hydraulic mechanism. Prevents slamming.
So in summary, while steel forms the bones of most every filing cabinet, other components come together to produce the complete package – from the manufacturing methods to hardware like locks and slides. Carefully inspect all aspects when investing in filing cabinets.
Alternative Metals Offer Niche Options
While steel serves well for general office filing, alternative metals provide specialty capabilities:
Aluminum – Lightweight Mobility
Aluminum filing cabinets weigh up to 50% less than steel. This aids mobility, allowing easier repositioning and making drawers feel lighter when fully extended. Aluminum works well for:
- Mobile cart filing cabinets
- Caster-mounted lateral filing cabinets
- Any setting where moving files often is beneficial
Just note aluminum has lower weight limits than steel and deforms more readily. Not ideal for legal or fireproof records.
Titanium – Extreme Security
Titanium offers unmatched strength given its light weight. This makes it ideal for high-security applications like:
- Government or military document storage
- Law enforcement evidence lockers
- Banking/financial records storage
Titanum withstands cutting torches, drills, and prying. But the cost is astronomical.
Stainless Steel – Harsh Conditions
Stainless steel provides maximum corrosion and rust resistance. It is the optimal choice when filing cabinets will face:
- Damp, humid, or salt air environments
- Exposure to water or steam (like medical facilities)
- Corrosive chemicals and cleaning agents
While costlier than regular steel, stainless steel holds up well in the harshest conditions over decades of use.
Key Takeaways on Filing Cabinet Metal
- Steel provides the best balance of strength, durability, weight, and cost for most filing cabinets. Cold-rolled and galvanized steels are most common.
- Alternative metals like aluminum and titanium offer niche benefits for mobility, security, or corrosion resistance. But come at a higher price.
- Cabinet construction also affects quality – from spot vs seam welding to drawer slides. Commercial grade cabinets have tightest tolerances and reinforcements.
- Locks, slides, and other hardware further influence functionality and security. Ball-bearing slides ensure the smoothest operation.
So in summary, steel makes a strong, secure, and cost-effective choice for general office use. But situations requiring light weight portability, extreme security, or corrosion resistance benefit from alternative metals and custom options. Carefully match the metal to your specific filing needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Filing Cabinet Metals
What is the most common metal used in filing cabinets?
Steel is by far the most common, making up around 90% of all filing cabinets. The low cost, high strength, and good durability make steel an ideal choice for most settings.
Is stainless steel or aluminum better for a filing cabinet?
Stainless steel is better if corrosion and rust resistance are critical. Aluminum is preferable when light weight and mobility are priorities. Stainless has greater strength while aluminum has a lower cost.
What gauge steel is best for filing cabinets?
Around 20 to 22 gauge steel meets general office needs well. Commercial grade cabinets often use 16 to 18 gauge steel for maximum durability under heavy loads. Thicker steel also enhances security.
Can filing cabinets be made of wood instead?
Yes, wood was used historically for file storage. But wood is far less secure, not fire resistant, and susceptible to bugs/mold. Metal filing cabinets have significant advantages for document protection.
Do legal or fireproof cabinets use different metals?
They typically employ thicker, high-grade steel along with proprietary insulation and reinforcements. Some do utilize alternative metals like stainless steel for added protection.
Conclusion
Filing cabinets may seem simple on the surface, but properly engineering them requires careful metal selection and manufacturing processes. While alternative metals fill specialty roles, steel remains the standard for combining durability, security, weight, and cost-efficiency. Matching the metal and construction to the intended filing use ensures optimal performance safeguarding your vital records and documents.
