Applications
Typical horizontal applications include counter and table tops, contract furniture and casework, as well as store fixtures. Typical vertical applications can include wall paneling, interior doors, elevator cab interiors, cabinetry, casino slot bases, and bar fronts
Installation
All surfaces to be laminated should be inspected prior to installation to ensure that they are clean and free of surface defects. The protective coating (peel coat) should be removed prior to inspection. All defects should be corrected before application. Material, equipment, and workmanship should conform to industry-standard practices, conditions, procedures, and recommendations specified by National Electrical Manufacturers Association (NEMA) LD 3-2005 Annex A, Architectural Woodworking Institute (AWI) Quality Standards, and the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) 161.2-1979 standards. Substrates: Laminart general purpose high pressure decorative laminates should be adhesively bonded to a substrate, or to a sheet substrate forming a new composite component which will be used in other assemblies. Suitable substrates may include but are not limited to particleboard (minimum density 45 pounds/cubic foot), medium-density fiberboard (MDF) or high density fiberboard (HDF). Materials with insufficient dimensional stability or internal bond strength such as plywood, steel, aluminum, fiber reinforced plastic, plaster, gypsum board, and similar materials are not recommended for use as substrates. Adhesives: Surfaces to be adhered must be sound, thoroughly dry, clean, free of dust, wood chips, oil and other types of surface contamination. When a laminating press is not available, such as an on-site installation, contact adhesives may be used, however this method should be restricted to small areas only. Ensure full adhesive coverage of both surfaces to be bonded and apply a pressure of at least 50-75 pounds per square inch until full bonding is achieved. Spot bonding should never be used. In all cases, with all types of adhesives, comply with the adhesive manufacturer’s usage recommendations. Backing Sheets: To avoid warping of a panel assembly faced with Laminart general purpose high pressure decorative laminates, stresses resulting from thermal and hygroscopic forces on both sides of the assembly must be balanced. The best results are obtained when a backing sheet, with characteristics comparable to the face sheet, is laminated to it. Alternatively, balance may be achieved using an ordinary high pressure laminate of the same thickness on the back side of the assembly. Narrow panels for wall applications, held rigidly in place by a securing system can have just a face side if the back side is protected from excess humidity and covered with a suitable sealant such as paint, lacquer, or a vapor-retarding varnish
