Technical Information dispelling traditions - Formica

formica_technical.qxd:formica_technical.qxd 28/11/08 16:01 Page 8PerformanceStandardsResistance toChemicalsThermalPropertiesFormica ® decorative laminates areproduced to conform to EN 438 andISO 4586. These standards define theperformance of the various grades oflaminate, in relation to their application.For example, the wear resistance specifiedfor horizontal grade laminates is higherthan that for vertical grade laminates.To conform to these specifications,laminates are required to be tested for:Resistance to surface wear.Resistance to boiling water.Resistance to dry heat.Dimensional stability.Resistance to impact.Resistance to cracking.Resistance to scratching.Resistance to stains.Resistance to colour changein artificial light.Resistance to cigarette burns.Resistance to steam.Postformability.Reaction to fire.For information on performancevalues relating to particular gradesof laminate, please contact ourTechnical Services Department.PerformanceNo effect after 16 hours contact time.No effect if completely removed within10-15 minutes.Permanent staining or surface attackprobable, necessitating immediate removal.Formica decorative laminates have beenwidely and satisfactorily used for manyyears in laboratories in medicine andindustry. They easily meet the requirementsof EN 438, which specifies resistance tostaining by over 40 substances which arelikely to be encountered in everyday use.These include tea, coffee, milk, citric acid,acetone, alcohol, fruit juices, detergents,bleaches and colouring agents, but donot include chemicals more likely to befound in laboratories.The chart below shows the effects ofcontact with some of the more aggressivematerials commonly used in laboratories.For information on resistance to specificchemicals please contact our TechnicalServices Department.ChemicalAcetic acid, acetone, ammonia, alcohol,amyl acetate, benzene, butyl acetate, carbontetrachloride, caustic soda (solutions lessthan 10%), citric acid, detergents, olive oil,paraffin, phenol, petrol, soaps, sugarsolutions, toluene, xylene.Caustic soda (solutions greater than10%), ferric chloride, formic acid, hair dyes,hypochlorite bleach, hydrochloric acid (lessthan 10%), hydrogen peroxide (less than30%), iodine, nitric acid (less than 10%),oxalic acid, phosphoric acid (less than 10%),potassium permanganate, silver nitrate,sulphuric acid (less than 10%).Hydrochloric, nitric, phosphoric and sulphuricacids in concentrations greater than 10%.Dry HeatFormica decorative laminates will withstandsurface temperatures of up to 180°C (356°F)for short periods without deterioration ofsurface or colour (although in some casesa slight loss of gloss may occur) butcontinuous localised heat must be avoided.It should be noted that cooking vessels canachieve much higher temperatures in normalusage, e.g. the base of a pan containingcooking fat can exceed 250°C, which iswhy it is recommended that hot pans etc.should not be placed directly onto laminatefaced work surfaces.When used in situations involvinglocalised heat, e.g. adjacent to ovens etc,the maximum temperature to which thelaminate should be subjected for longperiods (up to 8 hours) is 100°C. There areother applications, such as the use in firesurrounds, where laminates are subjectedto direct heat more or less continuously.In such cases, the surface temperatureshould not be allowed to exceed 60°C,and heat resistant adhesives should beused to prevent lifting of the laminate fromthe substrate. In addition, design detailsshould be carefully considered to avoidpanel distortion and cracking from theinternal corners of cut-outs.Resistance to Cigarette BurnsFormica decorative laminates have a goodresistance to damage by lighted cigarettes,and will normally only suffer a loss of glossand/or slight to moderate brown staining;however, excessive localised heating canresult in blistering of the laminate surfaceand it is therefore prudent to avoid directcontact with burning cigarettes or cigars.Resistance to Boiling WaterFormica decorative laminates are resistantto steam and boiling water and are thereforeideal for applications where cleanliness andhygiene are important factors.ColdFormica decorative laminates areunaffected by extreme dry cold andcold storage conditions.7Formica Limited, Coast Road, North Shields, Tyne & Wear NE29 8RE. Tel: 0191 259 3000. Fax: 0191 258 2719.Formica is a registered trade mark of Formica Corporation or its subsidiaries.Technical Services Department April 2004.