Phenolic resins for decorative laminates
Decorative plastic laminate is a durable flat sheeting material used in home and industrial furnishings.
Laminates are basically a blend of paper and plastic. Decorative laminate is commonly used to surface kitchen counters, table tops, and cabinetry because of its resistance to stains, scratches, and heat. The laminate sheets are made up of three layers: the bottom layer of brown paper coated with phenolic resin, a second layer of paper decorated with the desired pattern, and a third layer of clear sheet. Brown paper and decorative paper soaked in phenolic and melamine resins are hard-pressed together to form a stiff laminate sheet.
Decorative laminates can be manufactured as either high- or low-pressure laminate, with the two processes not much different from each other except for the pressure applied in the pressing process.
HPL is the abbreviation for High Pressure Laminate. HPL is made up of several layers that are compressed (laminated) under very high pressure. This creates a very dense, hard and form-retaining sheet (HPL). It is considered to be one of the most durable decorative surface materials and is available with special performance properties including chemical, fire and wear resistance.
Fenolit under the BOROFEN® brand offers a range of different phenolic resin binders for decorative laminates to meet specific customer requirements and needs such as low free phenol and formaldehyde content for safety, health and environmental protection, good impregnating properties (good paper wettability and good reactivity), good mechanical properties, long storage life and general environmental considerations and regulations.
