Metal zipper

Metal zippers are mainly made of brass, nickel and aluminium, and given their durability, they are mostly used in jeans, work-wear, heavy luggage and heavy-duty garments that must withstand high strength and tough washing.

The metal teeth may be made of Brass, Aluminium or Nickel, and they are designed to interlock like clasped hands, linking the rows, thus creating a "Continuous Clothing Closure" as Elias Howe would have referred to it.

The slider is operated by hand, and depending on the direction of its movement, the two rows of protruding metal teeth will either be interlocked or separated.

Metal zippers are most effective when used on heavy weight or thick materials such as denim and leather among other heavy-duty fabrics.

These zippers are commonly found in denim trousers and jackets, leather outfits, shoes and heavy luggage and bags.

The first attempt at making a zipper was in 1851, when Elias Howe was working on the "Automatic Continuous Clothing Closure".

Ever since, the metal zipper has transitioned into denim trousers, children’s clothing, luggage, shoes, leather goods and other objects that require easier fastening.

The tape should have top and bottom extensions that extend beyond the teeth for easier sewing at the ends of the zipper.

Since then, there have been a number of key players in the metal zipper manufacture industry, with the following being the most consistent and most respectable producers around the world.