Use and Care Guide

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Formica Group Technical Guide | 1

FTB-0824 | Rev 8 | 06/20

FORMICA

LAMINATE BY FORMICA GROUP

TECHNICAL DATA

GENERAL PURPOSE GRADE 10 AND POST-FORMING GRADES 12 & 20

PRODUCT DESCRIPTION

Melamine-impregnated decorative surface papers are combined

with phenolic-treated kraft paper and consolidated in a press at

high pressures. The sheet back is sanded to maintain a uniform

thickness and facilitate bonding.

COLORS AND FINISH

Formica

Brand Laminate sheets (horizontal general purpose grade

10/HGS) are available in a broad selection of designs and colors.

Standard nishes for each pattern are detailed in the Formica

Corporation - National Product Guide. Not all nishes are available

in all Solid Colors / Patterns / Wood- grains. All Grade 10 material is

Make-to-Order, with the exception of Formica Architectural Doors

Formica

Brand Laminate sheets (horizontal post-forming grade

12/HGP and vertical post-forming grade 20/VGP) are available in a

broad selection of designs and colors. Standard nishes for each

pattern are detailed in the Formica Corporation - National Product

Guide. Not all nishes are available in all Solid Colors / Patterns /

Woodgrains.

RECOMMENDED APPLICATION

GRADE 10/HGS

Formica

Brand Laminate – general purpose grade 10/HGS is

intended for application to interior horizontal or vertical surfaces

where design, appearance, quality, durability, resistance to stain,

and resistance to heat from ordinary sources are important

considerations.

GRADE 12 /HGP

Formica

Brand Laminate – post-forming laminate grade 12/HGP

is intended for application to interior horizontal or vertical surfaces

requiring

⁄8"(15.9 mm) or greater outside radiused edges, and/or

⁄16"

(4.8mm) cove radii, where design, appearance, quality, durability,

resistance to stain, and resistance to heat from ordinary sources

are important considerations.

GRADE 20/ VGP

Formica

Brand Laminate – post-forming grade 20/VGP is intended

for application to interior vertical surfaces requiring

⁄2" (12.7 mm) or greater outside radiused edges, where design,

appearance, quality, durability, resistance to stain, and resistance to

heat from ordinary sources are important considerations.

FABRICATION AND ASSEMBLY

LIMITATIONS

Formica

Brand Laminate is designed for interior use only. Do not

adhere directly to plaster, drywall (gypsum board), or concrete.

Do not use in areas exposed to temperatures exceeding 275°F

(135°C) or for exterior applications. When using Grade 20, nished

panel widths should not exceed 24" (610mm) maximum, unless the

adhesive system is a rigid set adhesive like PVA (wood glue). We

do not recommend contact adhesive for Grade 20 panels wider

than 24" (610mm). When using Grade 20-90 gloss nish on a panel

application, there will be a degree of telegraphing on the surface.

Formica Corporation recommends using Grade 10-90 or 12-90

gloss for these applications.

MACHINING LOW SHEEN L AMINATE SHEETS

Formica

Brand Laminate with low sheen surfaces are subject

to marring. Fabricating with peel coat on surface (if applicable) is

recommended. Router base should be clean and free of burrs and

debris. Table saws should be clean, at, and free of burrs.

STORAGE

Formica

Brand Laminate should be stored horizontally, with a caul

board or other protective sheet placed on top to protect the material

from possible damage. The material should be protected from

moisture, and should never be stored in contact with the oor or

an outside wall. Optimum conditions for storage are approximately

75°F (24°C), and 45% to 55% relative humidity.

PRECONDITIONING

Prior to fabrication, allow laminate sheet and substrate to acclimate

for at least 48 hours at the same ambient conditions. Optimum

conditions are approximately 75°F (24°C), and relative humidity of

45% to 55%. Provisions should be made for the circulation of air

around the materials.

SUBSTRATES

Formica

Brand Laminate sheet should be bonded to an

appropriate substrate such as Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF),

or #45 density particleboard (ANSI A208.1 - 1999). A marginal

substrate such as plywood may be used; however it must meet

APA standards and be “A” faced, hardwood veneer or multi-ply

core plywood. If you choose to use plywood Formica Corporation

recommends F200, F270 or PVAc adhesives to bond HPL. Refer to

the Substrate Tech Guide. Substrates should be sanded smooth,

and should be clean, free of oil or grease, and uniform in thickness.

Formica

Brand Laminate sheet (grade 10/HGS) can be bonded

to metal substrates using contact adhesive (see recommendations

below, under Adhesives). Refer to Formica

Laminate Brief -

Veneered to Metal Substrates for General Information, Materials,

Conditions and Methods. Formica Corporation does not warranty

this particular application.

Summary of content (6 pages)

PAGE 1
Formica Group Technical Guide | 1 FORMICA LAMINATE BY FORMICA GROUP ® TECHNICAL DATA GENERAL PURPOSE GRADE 10 AND POST-FORMING GRADES 12 & 20 PRODUCT DESCRIPTION Melamine-impregnated decorative surface papers are combined with phenolic-treated kraft paper and consolidated in a press at high pressures. The sheet back is sanded to maintain a uniform thickness and facilitate bonding.
PAGE 2
Formica Group Technical Guide | 2 FORMICA LAMINATE BY FORMICA GROUP ® TECHNICAL DATA GENERAL PURPOSE GRADE 10 AND POST-FORMING GRADES 12 & 20 ADHESIVES Contact, semi-rigid (PVAc), or rigid (urea, resorcinol) adhesives may be used. Follow the adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations. Certain combinations of finish, substrate, and adhesive can cause telegraphing.
PAGE 3
Formica Group Technical Guide | 3 FORMICA LAMINATE BY FORMICA GROUP ® TECHNICAL DATA GENERAL PURPOSE GRADE 10 AND POST-FORMING GRADES 12 & 20 FIRE TEST DATA – ASTM E- 84 Formica Corporation conducts and maintains an active fire testing program to provide code regulators, architects, and designers with current information on a variety of panel assemblies. Fire test data using Formica® Brand Laminate sheets (grades 10/HGS, 12HGP, and 20/VGP) is available upon request.
PAGE 4
Formica Group Technical Guide | 4 FORMICA LAMINATE BY FORMICA GROUP ® TECHNICAL DATA GENERAL PURPOSE GRADE 10 AND POST-FORMING GRADES 12 & 20 HOT OBJECTS Cookware still hot from the stove, oven or microwave, as well as electric skillets, waffle irons, curling irons and hot rollers, should not be placed directly on laminate surfaces. Prolonged exposure to temperatures of 140°F (60°C) or higher may cause the laminate to separate from the core material.
PAGE 5
Formica Group Technical Guide | 5 FORMICA LAMINATE BY FORMICA GROUP ® TECHNICAL DATA GENERAL PURPOSE GRADE 10 AND POST-FORMING GRADES 12 & 20 SOME MATERIALS AND LIQUIDS, SUCH AS DYES AND PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS, WILL PERMANENTLY STAIN LAMINATE.
PAGE 6
Formica Group Technical Guide | 6 FORMICA LAMINATE BY FORMICA GROUP ® TECHNICAL DATA GENERAL PURPOSE GRADE 10 AND POST-FORMING GRADES 12 & 20 LIMITED WARRANTY Formica Corporation expressly warrants that, for a period of one (1) year from the date of first sale, these products will be reasonably free of defects in materials and workmanship, and that when properly handled and fabricated, will conform, within accepted tolerance, to applicable manufacturing specifications.