Decoline Low Pressure Melamine

Low Pressure Melamine (LPM) surfaced panels are the most wear resistant of the range of pre-finished boards.

Papers impregnated with a melamine based thermosetting resin are applied to each side of the substrate in a short cycle hot press. Heat and pressure cause the melamine to flow into the board surface to give a hard plastic finish that is an integral part of the surface. As the paper is coloured or printed before impregnation the textured, coloured or printed appearance also becomes an integral part of the board surface protected by the hard wearing melamine resin.

Decoline LPM products cover a wide range of solid colours, wood grains and abstract patterns available together with a variety of surface textures. Those readily available include satin, velvet and various wood grain textures. The manufacturers' literature should be consulted for the complete range. Low Pressure Melamine products have a wide use in furniture manufacture, shop fittings, built-in units and kitchen cabinets. Although they are not recommended for kitchen work benches, the standard product is suitable for shelving and vertical surfaces. Melamine surfaced products for commercial applications such as computer work stations and toilet partitions may require better wear characteristics than standard products. Panels overlaid with thicker, more wear-resistant surfaces are termed Horizontal Grade and should be selected where tougher service conditions apply.

There is an industry - accepted standard for visual grading of board surfaces. This standard permits minor imperfections on one face of the overlaid panel. Specifiers should enquire about details of grades and grading standards from individual manufacturers, so that any special requirements can be negotiated well in advance of product supply. The principles of Quality Control detailed above are also applied to LPM products. In addition to the visual grading of the surface quality, there are several physical tests carried out on products to ensure that the impregnating resin has been cured in the manner necessary to give the required properties. These tests are based on Australian Standards AS/NZS 4266.

They include:

WEAR RESISTANCE - A standard abrasive test ensures that the melamine impregnated finish retains its integrity, pattern and/or colour under normally expected wear.

SURFACE STAIN RESISTANCE - LPM surfaced boards must have the ability to withstand the effects of common materials used in the home or office. Stain resistance is tested for about 25 substances.