Installation Guide

Formica Group Technical Guide | 1
FTG-0924 | Rev1 | 02/18
DECOLEATHER
®
RECYCLED LEATHER VENEER BY FORMICA GROUP
FABRICATION GUIDE
PRODUCT DESCRIPTION
dECOLeather
®
by Formica Group is a recycled leather veneer
made from pulverized leather bers extracted from car seats and
leather tanneries. dECOLeather thickness is comparable to veneer
and laminate at 0.8 mm or
1
⁄32″.
COLORS AND FINISH
dECOLeather is available in 4ft. by 8 ft. sheets in 12 standard and 6
made to order colors, 3 nishes, and 1 thickness (0.8mm).
Actual size of sheet is slightly larger, approximately 49.5inch by
97.5inch. Custom colors are available with a 8 sheet minimum order
and longer lead times. dECOLeather is a natural product, therefore
slight color variance may occur from sheet to sheet.
RECOMMENDED APPLICATION
dECOLeather veneer can be used on light-duty horizontal or
vertical applications, including but not limited to casework of
restaurants, bars, retail kiosks, coee shops, and hotel reception
desk surfaces.
PACKAGING
dECOLeather can be packaged in a box or a pallet. Small quantities
(5 or less) can be packaged in a double walled box rated at a
minimum of 50lbs burst strength. Recommended box dimensions
are 8″W x 8″H x 50″L. The sheets should be rolled with the face of
the sheet on the inside. The maximum number of sheets per box is
5. Larger quantities of dECOLeather sheets (50+) should be packed
on a pallet or crate. Use a maximum of 300 sheets of dECOLeather
per pallet or crate to avoid damage to the texture.
HANDLING
dECOLeather recycled leather veneer sheets must be handled with
care. Two people are needed when handling the sheets. Sheets
must be handled by sliding when possible. When lifting the sheets,
each person should hold opposite corners, tensing the sheets
straight, creating a “U” shape.
FABRICATION AND ASSEMBLY
dECOLeather sheets rely on adhesive for installation. If
dECOLeather sheets are rolled in a shipping carton they should
be removed and laid at. dECOLeather and the substrates should
be acclimated in the same environment for 72 hours in a room
between 55°F and 90°F prior to installation with stable humidity
levels. Both the dECOLeather and substrate must be smooth,
clean, dry and free of grease, dirt, dust, oil or any other foreign
matter. The best way to apply dECOLeather to a substrate is in
a cold press at 35 to 50psi using water based PVC adhesive.
Vacuum forming capability would need to be determined by each
fabricator shop. If press equipment is not available, high quality
contact cement such as Formica
®
brand F-150 is recommended.
Use 100% coverage on both the back of the dECOLeather and
face of substrate. Allow adequate time for contact cement to
“tac-up”. Tac-up takes about 40 minutes for water based contacts
and 10 minutes fro solvent based contacts. Trapped gases can
lead to bubbling or delamination of surface if not allowed to
tac-up completely. Full pressing or nip rolliing full panels is best.
dECOLeather can be wrapped to tight ¼ inch radius. A 2 inch
under wrap is necessary to prevent abuse of edge exposure. In
most cases it is best to encapsulate the edges with metal, wood,
plastic framing, or edge banding and corner protection.
PANEL BALANCING
As with any wood based substrate surfacing product there will need
to be a balancing sheet on the back for certain applications where a
panel is not bound (i.e. doors, signage, cabinets etc.). The best
balance is achieved using the same product on both sides using
the same adhesive and bonded at same time. For less critical
applications Formica Group recommends a backer in grade 91 or C2.
LIMITATIONS
dECOLeather recycled leather veneer is designed for light duty
horizontal and vertical applications for interior use only. Do not
adhere directly to plaster or concrete. Do not use in areas exposed
to temperatures exceeding 275°F, or areas of high humidity.
dECOLeather can puncture or tear so avoid sharp object impact or
scu. Exposed edges can “u” when abraded, thus edges need to
be encapsulated in metal, wood, plastic framing, or edge banding.
MACHINING
dECOLeather can be cut with a straight edge and razor knife.
Routing edges can result in burrs and fuzzing so panels should be
cut oversized and trimmed at the saw using triple chip blade
congurations. CNC preferred settings are a speed of 200 in/min
using a 4 ute 450 downward cutter. Recommended saw blades
are an ATB alternate bevel cross cut with a scoring blade.
SUBSTRATE
dECOLeather veneer should be bonded to MDF, particleboard
or good hardwood plywood substrates. All materials should be
acclimated for 72 hours in the same environment. Substrates
should be sanded smooth and cleaned of all debris.
ANSI / NEMA STANDARDS PUBLICATION — LD3 -2005
PHYSCIAL PROPERTIES LD3 TEST
Surface Finish Gloss
3.2
5.0
Light Resistance
3.3
No Eect
Cleanability
3.4
21
STAIN RESISTANCE
Regeants 1-10
3.4
No Eect
Regeants 11-15 No Eect
Boiling Water Resistance
3.5
No Effect
Radiant Heat Resistance -sec
3.10
66 sec
Dimensional Change
3.12
Machine Direction - 10
0.04
Cross Direction - 15
0.41
PERFORMANCE CHARACTERISTICS
ASTM E84 Flame 165 Smoke 200 Class C
(Bonded to FRPB using PVA adhesive)
ASTM D5053 Crocking 4.5 or Slight to Negligible