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Objectives• Explain the composition of plastic laminates• Identify the advantages and disadvantages of
plastic laminates• List the types of plastic laminates and what each
is used for• Describe solid surface materials
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Objectives (continued)
• Explain how solid surface materials and plastic laminates differ
• Identify the advantages and disadvantages of solid surface materials
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Introduction• Plastic laminates and solid surface materials are
both manufactured synthetic products– Both are tough and durable, making them popular
materials for fabricating countertops and other items– Both are used widely in residential and commercial
construction
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Plastic Laminates• Similar to veneers, but are synthetic and much
tougher• Waterproof and highly resistant to chemicals,
heat, and wear• Attached to a substrate such as plywood, MDF,
or particleboard
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Plastic Laminates (continued)
• Core and back are made up of multiple layers of Kraft paper impregnated with phenolic resin
• Top layer of paper is:– Typically thicker than other layers– Printed with a color and/or a decorative design– Impregnated with a clear melamine resin that
provides a protective layer
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Plastic Laminates (continued)
• Layers of the laminate are bound together with a hydraulic press under heat and pressure
• Back of laminate is roughened for easier adhesion to substrate
• Top finish may be gloss, satin, low glare, or textured
• May be rigid or flexible
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Plastic Laminates (continued)
• Types of plastic laminates– General purpose laminates– Vertical-surface laminates– Post-forming laminates– Backing laminates– Liner laminates
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Plastic Laminates (continued)
• Advantages of plastic laminates:– Tough and durable– Waterproof and stain and chemical resistant– Available in a wide array of colors and patterns
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Plastic Laminates (continued)
• Disadvantages of plastic laminates:– Color and pattern layer is very thin– Scratches will reveal the underlying layers, which are
not colored or patterned– Scratches are not repairable– Not particularly heat resistant
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Solid Surface Materials• Acrylic materials that are manufactured into flat
sheets• Not applied to a substrate
– Thicker material: most commonly seen in half-inch thicknesses
• Designed for use in both interior and exterior applications
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Solid Surface Materials (continued)
• Suitable for a wide variety of applications, including kitchen countertops and bathroom vanities
• May be applied horizontally or vertically• Available in a wide variety of colors and patterns
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Solid Surface Materials (continued)
• Most are a combination of two main ingredients: filler and binder
• Filler and binder are combined and then cast in a curing process that results in a sheet or shape
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Solid Surface Materials (continued)
• Advantages of solid surface– Chemical, stain, water, and fire resistant– Hard enough to give impact resistance, but soft
enough to be workable with standard woodworking tools
– Stable and nonporous– Sheets may be bonded to one another using color-
matched fusion adhesives to create a continuous, seamless appearance
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Solid Surface Materials (continued)
• Advantages of solid surface (continued)– May be inlaid with another color or pattern of solid
surface to create visual interest– Scratches, cuts, and burns can be sanded away
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Solid Surface Materials (continued)
• Disadvantages of solid surface– Substantially higher cost compared to plastic
laminates– To purchase solid surface material, buyer must
usually be certified by the manufacturer
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Summary• Plastic laminates and solid surface materials are
widely used synthetic products• Both are tough products that will take a lot of
abuse• Plastic laminates are relatively thin and are
glued to a substrate• Solid surface materials can be bonded together
for a seamless appearance; because they are solid, they may be inlaid or profiled