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Finishes can also help hinges look like metals which are typically not suitable as a base metal for hinges, such as nickel. Nickel, a silvery metal, is rarely used in pure form. In fact, nickel was not even discovered to be a distinct element until 1751, when Axel Fredrik Cronstedt of Sweden accidentally extracted pure nickel, instead of copper, from the mineral niccolite.

Brass versus brass plated.
Many hardware items are made of pure brass. Brass is a fairly soft metal, but it is weatherproof. It may be used inside or outside the house. It has to be used with care around salt water, however, because this can make it corrode. Brass plated is simply steel that has been coated with brass. It is not weather proof.
Bronze.
This is also available in pure form, and as such is weatherproof. Items made of it can be used inside or outside the house. It does not corrode; indeed, it is often used in marine applications. Bronze is also a very strong metal.
Bronze Plated.
Like brass plated, this is steel that is coated with bronze. Unlike pure bronze, however, it will not stand up to weather.



Galvanized.
This is a special kind of finish applied to steel items. The galvanizing may be hot-dipped or coated-technically, electroplated. The hot dipped galvanizing is far the superior of the two. Both are weatherproof. Most outdoor items are galvanized.
Zinc or cadmium plated.
These terms are really synonymous. It is a wash coating that is given to hardware that makes them rust resistant but not rustproof. Galvanized items are far superior to ones with zinc or cadmium finishes.




Blued.
This is hardly a finish but just a treatment given to items to keep them from rusting in the box while waiting to be sold.
Japanned.
This is a baked enamel finish, but only about as weather resistant as items that are blued.
Chrome plated.
This is a highly polished finish used on cabinet hardware and many plumbing items. It is highly resistant to corrosion and quite good-looking.