Product Identification
Hi-Wear laminate is designed for applications requiring increased abrasion and scuff resistance. The product offers over five times the wear resistance of standard grade laminate.
Product Composition
Hi-Wear laminate is manufactured in a flat press by combining decorative papers saturated in melamine resin with phenolic impregnated kraft layers at pressures exceeding 1000 psi (6895 kPa) and temperatures approaching 300 deg. F (150 deg. C). The panels are trimmed to size and the backs are sanded to facilitate bonding. The thickness of the laminate is determined by the number of kraft layers used. Increased wear resistance is achieved by the addition of ceramic particles to the laminate surface. The laminating process combines the durability of melamine resins with the aesthetics of decorative papers creating a surfacing material that has been the standard for well over forty years.
Product Description
Standard Nominal Sizes
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Type
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Thickness*
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Width
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Length
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Colors**
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I48
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(in.) (mm.) |
0.048 1.2 |
30, 36, 48, 60 762, 914, 1219, 1524 |
96, 120, 144 2438, 3048, 3658 |
All Solids, Patterns and Woodgrains |
I60
|
(in.) (mm.) |
0.060 1.5 |
30, 36, 48, 60 762, 914, 1219, 1524 |
96, 120, 144 2438, 3048, 3658 |
All Solids, Patterns and Woodgrains |
*Thicker products conforming to NEMA Grade HWS, HWM, and HWH are available. **Due to its unique composition, Pionite Hi-Wear laminate will vary in color from corresponding colors in standard Pionite. This effect is more pronounced in darker colors and patterns. Sample evaluation prior to order placement is required. |
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Finish Options
Code
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Finish
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Description
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N
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Suede
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Low gloss, textured finish, 12 + or - 3 gloss units.
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J
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Crystal
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Fine pebble grained finish with a medium gloss, 15 + or - 3 gloss units.
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H
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Hi-Brite
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Smoothly textured furniture finish, 30 + or - 5 gloss units.
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C
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Soft Leather
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A finely grained leather finish, 14 + or - 3 gloss units. Available in widths of 48" and 60" only. |
L
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Embossed Leather |
Deeply embossed leather finish, 5 + or - 1 gloss units.
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W
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Embossed Slate
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Deeply embossed slate finish, 7 + or - 1 gloss units.
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Z
|
Ashwood
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A fine wood finish with a cathedral grain, 18 + or - 3 gloss units.
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Note: Gloss units measured with a 60 degree gloss meter.
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Typical Uses
Hi-Wear, Type I, is used in high pressure decorative laminate applications requiring increased wear resistance. This product is ideally suited for applications such as buffet counters, salad bars, checkout counters, kickboards, bartops, and restaurant counters.
Fabrication Tips
When working with Hi-Wear, these techniques will produce a quality application.
- Proper conditioning of the laminate, substrate, and backing sheet minimizes possible warping, shrinking, or expansion of assembled panels. Ideally, all components should be conditioned at 70 deg. F to 75 deg. F (21 deg. C to 25 deg. C) and 45 to 50 percent relative humidity for 48 hours prior to assembly.
- Always bond laminate to a suitable substrate such as medium to high density fiberboard, particleboard, or metals. It should not be glued directly to plaster walls, gypsum wallboard, or concrete.
- Recommended adhesives include solvent or water-based contact cement, white glue (PVA), epoxy, and hot melt glue. Consult your adhesive supplier for specific application requirements.
- The use of a backing sheet is recommended to minimize warpage. The thickness of the backing sheet should be relatively equal to the thickness of the decorative laminate on the face of the assembly.
- All saw blades and router bits used for cutting should be carbide tipped and very sharp. Feed rate should be slow and tool speed should be high. To minimize the development of surface scratches caused by router bits, lubricating the laminate edge with a wax stick is recommended prior to tooling.
- Increased tool wear rate may be experienced when fabricating Hi-Wear as compared to standard laminate.
- Inside corners of cutouts for electrical outlets, sinks, etc., should have a minimum radius of 1/8" (3 mm) and be filed smooth. This reduces the likelihood of stress cracks.
- All edges of laminate should be filed smooth with file direction towards substrate to help prevent stress cracks and to minimize chipping.
- When nails or screws must be used, it is advisable to first drill an oversized hole through the laminate. This reduces the likelihood of stress cracks.
- Hi-Wear laminate is intended for interior use only and should not be exposed to extreme humidity, continuous sunlight, or temperatures above 275 deg. F (135 deg. C) for extended periods of time.
Technical Information
Physical Properties
Test |
NEMA LD 3-1995 Test Method |
TYPICAL Pionite VALUES I48 |
NEMA STD. HGS |
TYPICAL Pionite VALUES I60 |
NEMA STD. HWS |
|
Thickness |
(in.) (mm.) |
0.048 +or- 0.003 1.219 +or- 0.076 |
0.048 +or- 0.005 1.2 +or- 0.12 |
0.060 +or- 0.003 1.5 +or- 0.08 |
0.059 +or- 0.005 1.5 +or- 0.12 |
|
Wear Resistance
|
(cycles)
|
3.13
|
3500
|
400 (min.)
|
3500
|
3000
|
Ball Impact Resistance
|
(in.) (mm) |
3.8
|
55 1397 |
50 (min.) 1270 (min.) |
50 1270 |
35 899 |
Dimensional Change Machine Direction Cross Direction |
(%) (%) |
3.11
|
0.25 0.70 |
.50 (max.) .90 (max.) |
0.25 0.70 |
0.50 0.90 |
Boiling Water Resistance
|
3.5
|
No Effect
|
No Effect
|
No Effect
|
No Effect
|
|
High Temperature Resistance
|
3.6
|
No Effect
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Slight Effect
|
No Effect
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Slight Effect
|
|
Radiant Heat Resistance
|
(sec)
|
3.10
|
200
|
125 (min.)
|
300
|
150
|
Cleanability Stain 1-10 Stain 11-15 |
3.4
|
5 No Effect No Effect |
20 (max.) No Effect Moderate Effect |
5 No Effect No Effect |
20 (max.) No Effect Moderate Effect |
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Light Resistance
|
3.3
|
Slight Effect
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Slight Effect
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Slight Effect
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Slight Effect
|
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Appearance
|
3.1
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Complies
|
Complies
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*Hi-Wear, Type I48, is not covered by ANSI/NEMA LD3 specifications; however, the physical properties are similar to HGS grade with the exception of wear resistance.
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Codes and Certifications
- American National Standards Institute/National Electrical Manufacturers Association (ANSI/NEMA) LD3-1995, "High Pressure Decorative Laminate": for HGS, type I48 complies, for HWS, type 160 complies.
- MIL-P-17171E(SH), "High Pressure Decorative Laminate." Pionite 148 complies with Type I.
- U.S. Federal Specification L-P-508H, "Plastic Sheet, Laminated, Decorative and Nondecorative." Types I48 and 160 comply.
