Thermally Fused Laminate Vs High Pressure Laminate

And while both materials are moisture resistant if you left a sweating glass on the surface of each overnight the results would be different.

Thermally fused laminate vs high pressure laminate.

Also called high pressure laminate this is popular among common people by the name of formica. Also just like laminate the melamine surfaces have lower quality and higher quality products. Tfl is a melamine saturated paper that is thermally fused directly to the substrate. To make this laminate a very high pressure of 1400psi is used over 6 8 layers of kraft paper.

Each is produced differently. These papers have been glued together and finally a melamine plastic is pressed at the top. Arauco prism tfl is ideal for on trend designs. Thermally fused laminate tfl is created by soaking decor paper with resin and allowing it to partially dry.

You may have noticed that laminate products are classified as a high pressure laminate hpl and low pressure laminate lpl. This designation refers to the process of attaching the laminate to the substrate core. The thermal fused melamine surface is thinner than high pressure laminate so it is more vulnerable to scratches and chips. Should you choose a thermofused laminate tfl or a high pressure laminate hpl fo.

With the absence of the multiple layers of kraft paper that is found in hpl you will loose some of the impact resistance but also you will have a lower cost. An additional protective overlay as well as the decor paper are placed on top of the kraft paper before pressing. It s great for vertical applications or low impact. The partially cured sheet is then stuck to a rigid backing material.

When its time to have the look of high pressure laminate hpl with similar performance thermally fused laminate tfl also referred to as thermally fused melamine tfm is often used. This product is not attached to a board and the carpenter has. Thermally fused laminate tfl and high pressure laminate hpl. Tfl is sufficiently durable and hard wearing for cabinets countertops and shelving.

The low quality melamine will not last as long as most laminate surfacing. High pressure laminate hpl panels are produced by saturating multiple layers of kraft paper layers with phenolic resin. However the thicker textured thermal fused melamine has the same kind of life expectancy of high pressure laminate. There are two types of laminate that we use pretty often for furniture.