High Pressure Laminate Vs Melamine

This is a product that results when a thin paper is pressed at a high pressure of 300 500psi to a board.

High pressure laminate vs melamine.

The high pressure laminate hpl which is manufactured under 1400psi will give you a better product that will chip and crack less than a low pressure laminate. General purpose vertical surfacing and post forming and is generally not attached to wood. Of course there is a cost savings with thermal fused melamine. In creating high pressure laminate the layer of laminate is adhered to the substrate under pressures of 70 to 100 bars and temperatures of 280 to 320 degrees fahrenheit using adhesives.

The process used to attach the melamine infused laminate paper to a substrate is really where the high pressure laminate differs from the low pressure laminate. Also called direct or low pressure laminate. Melamine high pressure laminate is commonly referred to as hpl and is manufactured under 1000kg per square metre of pressure pressing down on 6 to 8 layers of kraft paper bonded with phenolic resin glue then topped by a polymer facing. Applications include bench tops joinery wall panelling lockers tables where scuff resistance is prominent.

Melamine is also referred to as direct pressure laminate or low pressure laminate. It s important to note that both high pressure laminate and thermal fused melamine provide a durable low maintenance solution for any office space. Low pressure laminate also known as pre finished board or melamine is a thin single melamine paper bonded directly to a substrate usually craft wood or particle board. So it is a give and takes the situation.

A high performing durable engineered surface used for a variety of vertical and horizontal applications wilsonart s hpl also offers a broad range of attractive patterns and texture possibilities. However it is popular among the people only as melamine. Made up of a wear resistant overlay decorative sheet and impact resistant kraft wilsonart high pressure laminate hpl offers long lasting beauty function and performance. However low pressure laminates cost less.

Since then laminex laminate has become a mainstay in australian homes and commercial spaces. The material is a high pressure laminate hpl manufactured under 1 400 pounds of pressure per square inch more than three times over melamine sheets. Laminex launched the first high pressure laminate or hpl onto the australian market way back in 1952. Plastic laminate comes in three grades.

Technically speaking melamine is the glue used to saturate the layers of paper transformed into a solid plastic surface through thermal fusion. It s what you get when thin paper is applied at 300 500 psi on a substrate board. Understanding the differences between high pressure laminate and low pressure melamine is the best way to choose the right product for the project.