Use and Care Guide

Formica Group Technical Guide | 1
FTB-0882 | Rev 6 | 03/19
FORMICA INFINITI
®
SURFACING BY FORMICA GROUP
TECHNICAL DATA
RECOMMENDED APPLICATION
Formica Inniti
®
surfacing oers a super matte soft-to-touch nish
that provides a beautiful look and feel that is impossible to resist.
Formica Inniti
®
surfacing is an oering for any space calling for a
tactile yet durable and matte surface. With the added benets of
resisting ngerprints and antimicrobial surface protection, thermal
healing capabilities, and chemical resistant properties, Formica
Inniti
®
surfacing has a home in just about every space! Formica
Inniti
®
surfacing is ideal for high trac areas such as cafes,
diners and quick-service restaurants, hotels and retail, healthcare,
commercial oces or any setting that calls for countertops, tables,
doors, partitions, cabinets and furniture. Formica Inniti
®
sheets are
available in a horizontal postforming and may be postformed to a
5
⁄8" (16mm) outside radius and a minimum
3
⁄16" (4.8mm) inside cove
radius. Postforming provides an ergonomic edge and an excellent
protection against ngerprints and bacteria.
Formica Inniti
®
ColorCore
®
2 is also available where the brown line
seen on standard laminate is eliminated but still maintains the same
attributes as standard Inniti. This product is not postformable but
can be used in any horizontal or vertical application.
NOTE: Color will tend to shift from standard laminate. Request
a sample for true color representation. This color shift does not
constitute a defect.
FABRICATION AND ASSEMBLY
LIMITATIONS
Formica Inniti
®
laminate sheets are not recommended for
application directly to plaster, drywall (gypsum board), concrete,
or solid lumber underlayment. Formica Inniti
®
laminate is for
interior use only. It should not be used in areas where temperatures
exceed 275°F (135°C) for prolonged periods of time, or for
exterior applications. Do not expose Formica Inniti
®
surfacing to
continuous direct sunlight. Do not chop, slice, pound or hammer on
Formica Inniti
®
surfaces.
STORAGE
Formica Inniti
®
laminate sheets should be stored horizontally,
face-to-face and back-to-back with the top sheet turned face
down. A caul board should be placed on top to protect the material
from possible damage and reduce the chance of warpage of the
top sheets. The material should be protected from light, heat and
moisture and should never be stored in contact with the oor or an
outside wall. It is important that Formica Inniti
®
laminate sheets
be stored at a temperature not less than 60°F (16°C) and a relative
humidity not less than 40%.
PRECONDITIONING
Formica Inniti
®
laminate sheets and substrates gain moisture
and expand under high relative humidity conditions, and lose
moisture and shrink under low relative humidity conditions. Prior
to fabrication, allow the Formica Inniti
®
laminate sheets and the
substrates 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 components. Formica Inniti
®
laminate
sheets move about twice as much across the grain as it does in the
length direction (sanding direction). Whenever possible, minimize
the dimension of the cross-grain direction.
NOTE: Stress cracking can result when high-moisture material
is glued and subsequently exposed to low humidity conditions.
Excessively dry material may expand and cause bubbling if
improperly glued.
CUTTING
Formica Inniti
®
laminate sheets have a special ngerprint resistant
surface. We recommend the use of sharp, carbide-tipped cutting
blades with low or negative hook proles. Low feed speeds and
high tool speeds are also suggested. A feather board should be
clamped to the saw fence to stabilize the stock and prevent chatter,
producing safer, cleaner cuts.
SUBSTRATES
The recommended cores for Formica Inniti
®
surfacing are 45#
density, industrial grade particleboard (CS 236-66; Type1, Grade B,
Class 2) and Medium Density Fiberboard (MDF).
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
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.
Refer to Substrate Section Guide.
Do not use drywall (gypsum board), plaster, concrete, solid lumber,
plywood or underlayment.
ADHESIVES
Contact, semi-rigid (PVAc) or rigid (urea, resorcinol) adhesives may
be used. Follow the adhesive manufacturer’s recommendations.
Certain combinations of nish, substrate, and adhesives can cause
telegraphing.
Similar to ColorCore
®
2 Fab guide, Formica Inniti
®
ColorCore
®
2 is
more brittle than standard Formica Inniti
®
thus the following will
help to minimize inside corner stress cracking:
When using contact adhesive, stress crack performance will be
greatly improved if PVAc (white or yellow glue) is used at all inside
corners (see below).
NOTE: Waterproof PVAc adhesives (yellow glue) are available for
assemblies which require water resistance.
a. Mask the ColorCore
®
2 material and substrate area around the
cutout prior to applying the contact adhesive.
b. Apply a PVAc adhesive to the masked area just before the
ColorCore
®
2 material and substrate are joined and nip rolled
to fuse the contact adhesive.
c. Clamp the area bonded with PVAc until the adhesive has set
(usually one hour).
ASSEMBLY
Material, equipment and workmanship must conform to the industry
standard practices, conditions, procedures and recommendations
as specied by ANSI/NEMA LD3-2005, Section 4, Architectural