WHAT IS A LAMINATE?

Laminates are surface coating materials produced by impregnating papers with melamine formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde resins and pressing them under high temperature and pressure. There are two kinds of laminate products depending on the pressing and production techniques:

• High Pressure Laminate (HPL)
• Low Pressure Laminate (CPL)

There are three types of high pressure laminates based on their application :

• Post Forming Laminate
• Standard Laminate
• Compact Laminate

HIGH PRESSURE LAMINATE (HPL) HPL is produced by multi-layered presses after a period of 60-90 minutes under 220-485lbs/0.15sq.feet (100-120 kg/cm 2) pressure and 338F(170 0C) temperatures. The high pressure and temperature provides molecular compaction of the mass and avoids formation of bacteria. For this reason, it is highly preferred by medical institutions. High pressure laminates have both vertical and horizontal uses. The production is made in three different stages.

• Preparation of the paper,
• Pressing,
• Dimensioning.

CONTINUOUS PRESSURE LAMINATE (CPL) This is also known as roll laminate. It is produced in between steel bands stretched in between two drums, and under 338F (170C) temperature and 55-110lbs/0.15sq.feet (25-50 kg/cm 2) pressure. It is then cooled and rolled around a spool. ADVANTAGES OF USAGE OF LAMINATE OVER THE OTHER MATERIAL

• It is highly resistant to abrasion, breaking and failure.
• It has very low water-absorbing capacity.
• It is highly resistant to high temperatures (20 minutes at 356F (180C).
• It is highly resistant to moisture.
• The vertical and horizontal application of the material allows design flexiblility for commercial & residential use.
• It has attractively low cost compared to wood coating.
• It has post forming features.

APPLICATION FIELDS OF LAMINATE

• In residential ; as kitchen and bathroom cabinets, kitchen countertops, doors, bedroom furniture and more.
• In schools ; as student’s desks, tables, teacher’s desks and doors, storage cabinets and more
• In offices ; as desks, wall covering office furniture and more
• In hospitals ; as clinic, operation room and inner space covering and more
• In laboratories ; as tables, benches, inner space coverings and more
• In hotels and holiday villages, as covering for dressing rooms and shower enclosures, furniture and more
• In elevator cabins,
• In wet spaces such as bathrooms and restrooms,
• In suspended ceiling designs.
• compact laminate for exterior may be used for outside wall cladding on comercial buildings.