Product Identification

Postforming Type F39 is designed for manufacturing countertops and other horizontal surfaces where the laminate may be heated and rolled over the substrate edge to eliminate seams.

Type F28 is designed for applications where impact resistance is less critical. Type F28 can also be postformed.

Product Composition

Postforming high pressure laminate is manufactured in a flat press by combining decorative papers saturated in melamine resin with phenolic-impregnated kraft layers at pressures exceeding NEMA specifications of 750 psi (5.17 MPa) 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. 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
Type
Thickness
Width
Length
Colors
F39
(in.)
(mm.)
0.039
1.0
30, 36, 48, 60
762, 914, 1219, 1524
96, 120, 144
2438, 3048, 3658
All Solids, Patterns
and Woodgrains
F28
(in.)
(mm.)
0.028
0.7
30, 36, 48, 60
762, 914, 1219, 1524
96, 120, 144
2438, 3048, 3658
All Solids, Patterns
and Woodgrains


Finish Options
Code
Finish
Description
N
Suede
Low gloss, textured finish, 12 + or - 3 gloss units.
G
Gloss
A high gloss, smooth finish, 100 + or - l0 gloss units.
J
Crystal
Fine pebble grained finish with a medium gloss, 15 + or - 3 gloss units.
H
Hi-Brite
Smoothly textured furniture finish, 30 + or - 5 gloss units.
C
Soft Leather
A finely grained leather finish, 14 + or - 3 gloss units.
Available in widths of 48" and 60" only.
L
Embossed
Leather
Deeply embossed leather finish, 5 + or - 1 gloss units.
Available in F39 only.
W
Embossed Slate
Deeply embossed slate finish, 7 + or - 1 gloss units.
Available in F39 only.
Z
Ashwood
A fine wood finish with a cathedral grain, 18 + or - 3 gloss units.
Note: Gloss units measured with a 60 degree gloss meter.


Typical Uses

Postforming laminate is used in applications where a rolled edge is desirable. The rolled edge eliminates seams and produces a smooth, attractive appearance to the finished assembly. Typical uses include countertops, cabinet doors, drawer fronts and desktops.









Postforming Tips
When working with Pionite, these techniques will produce a quality application.

  1. 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.

  2. The radiused edge of the substrate must be smooth, rounded, and free of irregularities and loose particles.

  3. Lead-in cracks may be minimized by ensuring a smooth cut on the edge of the laminate.

  4. 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.

  5. 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.

  6. 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.

  7. The decorative surface to be formed should be heated to a temperature of 325 deg. F to 375 deg. F (165 deg. C to 190 deg. C).

  8. The desired heat-up rate to 325 deg. F (165 deg.= C) should be one second for every .001" of thickness (i.e., 28 seconds for F28, 39 seconds for F39).

  9. Forming should be accomplished within 5 seconds of achieving proper surface temperature.

  10. Heat-up rates of laminate are affected by thickness, color, and finish. Temperatures should be verified by temperature-indicating wax (Tempilaq).
Fabrication Tips
  1. All saw blades and router bits used for cutting should be carbide tipped. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. All edges of laminate should be filed smooth with file direction towards substrate to help prevent stress cracks and to minimize chipping.

  4. 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.

  5. All 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
F39
NEMA STD.
HGP
TYPICAL
Pionite
VALUES
F28
NEMA STD.
VGP
Thickness
(in.)
(mm.)
 
0.039 +or- 0.005
1.0 +or- 0.080
0.039 +or- 0.005
1.0 +or- 0.12
0.028 +or- 0.003
0.711 +or- 0.076
0.028 +or- 0.004
0.7 +or- 0.1
Wear Resistance
(cycles)
3.13
700
400 (min.)
700
400 (min.)
Ball Impact Resistance
(in.)
(mm)
3.8
35
889
30 (min.)
762 (min.)
30
762
20 (min.)
508 (min.)
Dimensional Change
  Machine Direction
  Cross Direction
 
(%)
(%)
3.11
 
0.40
0.80
 
1.10 (max.)
1.40 (max.)
 
0.40
0.80
 
1.10 (max.)
1.40 (max.)
Boiling Water Resistance
 
3.5
No Effect
Slight Effect
No Effect
Slight Effect
High Temperature Resistance
 
3.6
No Effect
Slight Effect
No Effect
Slight Effect
Radiant Heat Resistance
(sec)
3.10
165
100 (min.)
155
80 (min.)
Cleanability
  Stain 1-10
  Stain 11-15
 
3.4
13
No Effect
No Effect
20 (max.)
No Effect
Moderate Effect
8
No Effect
No Effect
20 (max.)
No Effect
Moderate Effect
Light Resistance
 
3.3
Slight Effect
Slight Effect
Slight Effect
Slight Effect
Appearance
 
3.1
Complies
Complies
Formability
(in.)
(mm.)
3.14
9/16
14
5/8 (min.)
16 (min.)
7/16
11
1/2 (min.)
13 (min.)
Blister Resistance
(sec.)
3.15
65
55 (min.)
50
40 (min.)
Room Temperature
Dimensional Stability
 Machine Direction
 Cross Direction


(%)
(%)
3.12


.16
.48


1
1.3


.18
.37


1
1.3


Fire Test Data

High pressure decorative laminate is frequently used in installations governed by local fire codes. Burning characteristics of laminate are greatly influenced by the adhesive and substrate utilized. Listed below are typical flame spread index and smoke developed values for Pionite postforming laminate. When specifying Class I or A rated laminate, refer to Pionite Fire Rated Technical Bulletin.


ASTM E-84/UL723

"Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Materials"

Type
Sample
Configuration
Flame
Spread Index
Smoke
Developed Values
F39
F28
Unbonded
40
35
70
35
F39
F28
Bonded* to Inorganic
Cement Board
55
35
105
40
F39
F28
Bonded* to 5/8"
Particleboard
235
160
140
160
F39
F28
Bonded* to 5/8" Fire
Rated Particleboard
110
80
130
75
F28
Bonded** to
1-1/8" Fire
Rated Particleboard
76
120
F28
Bonded** to
Steel
38
19
* Bonded with Pioneer P19NF contact cement.
** Bonded with National Caesin PC7400
All work should be designed, assembled, and installed in compliance with pertinent local fire codes.


Codes and Certifications
  1. U.S. Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard #302 " Flammability of Interior Materials." Pionite Type F39 and F28 comply.

  2. The City of New York, Department of Building, Materials, and Equipment Acceptance Division Approval codes are as follows:
    F39 - MEA 206-93-M
    F28 - MEA 208-93M

  3. NSF International Standard 35, "Laminated Plastics for Surfacing Food Service Equipment." Pionite Type F39 and F28 comply.

  4. American National Standards Institute/National Electrical Manufacturers Association (ANSI/NEMA), LD3-1995, "High Pressure Decorative Laminate.". Pionite Type F39 and F28 comply.

  5. U.S. Federal Specification L-P-508H, "Plastic Sheet, Laminated, Decorative and Nondecorative." Pionite Type F39 and F28 comply.

  6. International Organization for Standardization, ISO-4586, "Decorative High Pressure Laminates (HPL)." Pionite Type F39 and F28 comply.

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