Our collection of Mz del Rio taps is characterized by the quality of our taps, which places us above the quality standard. For this reason, many times we answer the questions of customers and users that can be summed up as: what material are the good / quality taps made of?
So throughout this article we will analyze what material the taps are made of and what factors we must take into account to ensure their durability and proper functioning. These are the characteristics that usually differentiate a low cost faucet from a quality faucet
What material is best for a faucet?
We find three main materials: brass, nickel and chrome (or Epoxy paint for the most modern finishes).
The taps are made of brass, that is, an alloy of copper and zinc. The most important thing to keep in mind is that the raw material of this faucet has the lowest possible level of lead in this alloy. Committed to the health of our users, at Mz del Rio we have reduced the lead content in brass to insignificant levels, replacing lead with harmless metals that ensure that lead contamination of drinking water is at an absolute minimum. Our taps are manufactured in Spain with top quality brass of European origin.
Another very important aspect is the coating of the product, which will prevent oxidation. In this sense, in the manufacture of a quality faucet, a high layer of nickel is used to protect the product: the more microns that adhere to the body, the more protected it will be from corrosion. Nickel protects the product by preventing corrosion caused by being in contact with the water and by the gases from the siphons. With an optimal nickel coating, the typical pitting of faucets with black spots will not occur.
And we come to the last layer: the finish. Chrome is responsible for the characteristic shine of the taps. In addition, the longer the chrome bath lasts, the greater the resistance of the taps over time. Specifically, in our taps we ensure that the chrome always remains bright, thanks to a 15 μm nickel and 0.5 μm chrome bath.
With the arrival of new trends in the tap market, chrome is sharing the limelight with special finishes for taps in other shades, such as white or matte black taps. For this, high quality Epoxy paint is used, which goes through an oven at a high temperature.
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What is a chrome faucet?
A chrome faucet is one that has a final layer of chrome that has an aesthetic function in terms of brightness. In addition, depending on its quantity, it will also promote resistance to corrosion, surface hardness and allow it to be easily cleaned.
Chrome plating is a technique that consists of depositing a thin layer of chrome on another metal (or plastic). In the case of Mz del Rio taps, after brass and nickel we find chrome.
Which is better: stainless steel or chrome-plated brass?
The most common material in taps is chromed brass, although stainless steel is also found. Just as different quality factors influence brass taps, in INOX taps the quality of the tap will be subject to a scale. The 300 series stainless steels are superior to those of the 200 series. Mz del Rio uses 304, which has a very good resistance to corrosion in domestic water, while 316 is the highest quality; in fact, it is the one used in marine atmospheres, where corrosion is very high.
In search of the best bathroom and kitchen faucet…
In summary, when choosing a good kitchen or bathroom faucet it is important that the amount of lead is negligible, as well as that the nickel and chrome plating is optimal to promote both protection and shine. .
It is also significant that the components used in the taps are made with food oils, which take care of your health and preserve the quality of the water in your mouth.
Find more information about our bathroom taps and our kitchen taps here. Enjoy our top quality materials, with the peace of mind of the most rigorous standards of the European and American markets!