Metallic Laminates have metal surfaces of aluminium, copper, chrome and stainless steel. Various finishes provide protection for the metallic appearance.
The product is intended for use in vertical and light duty interior applications.
The polished chrome surface is chrome-plated on to copper, and – in common with Brushed Stainless Steel – does not require any additional surface protection. Polished effects other than chrome have anodised aluminium surfaces.
All other aluminium surfaces have an epoxy lacquer coating, while copper surfaces are coated with a polyurethane lacquer. A removable film is supplied on all sheets for protection during transport, handling, storing, fabricating and installing.
In some fluorescent lighting conditions Metallic Laminate can display iridescent effects, so we advise viewing panels under actual lighting conditions before fixing them.
Size
1220mm×1830mm (4’×6’)
1220mm×2440mm (4’×8’)
1220mm×3050mm (4’×10’)
1220mm×3660mm (4’×12’)
1525mm×1830mm (5’×6’)
1525mm×3050mm (5’×10’)
1525mm×3660mm (5’×12’)
1830mm×1830mm (6’×6’)
1830mm×3660mm (6’×12’)
1300mm×2800mm (4.3’×9’)
1300mm×3050mm (4.3’×10’)
Color
Solid/plain color, fantastic color, wood grain color, metal, wooden veneer or customized color
If you need special color, please contact us.
Glossy, Matt, Texture, Horizontal, Embossed and some other especial surfaces
Handling
During storage and transport, keep sheets of Metallic Laminate flat. Do not roll them, as this may induce a permanent bend in the laminate, making subsequent fabrication more difficult.
Storage
A protective coating is supplied on all sheets of Metallic Laminate for protection during handling, fabrication and transport. We recommend that the protective coating is left on the laminate until the finished product is installed and ready for use.
Do not place hot objects on the surface of Metallic Laminates, and avoid exposure to temperatures above 60˚C.
Do not use adhesive tapes on the surface as they may damage the lacquer coating.
Limitations
With the exception of Brushed Stainless Steel, Metallic Laminate can be machined and fabricated using the same standard tools, equipment and techniques as for any decorative laminate. Extra care is needed for a good quality finished appearance.
During fabrication and installation ensure that the sheets are all in the same running direction (as indicated on the protective coating), since variations in appearance can occur if sheets or panels are rotated through 90˚ or 180˚ in relation to each other.
Sheets with linear features may need a dressing cut to properly align and position the feature relative to the edge.
Substrates
The nature of Metallic Laminate surface finishes (especially polished finish) demands that substrates have a high quality surface, free from undulations and imperfections.
Adhesives
Most adhesives can be used for Metallic Laminates, except for those based on urea (UF and MUF types).
To avoid surface distortion, spread adhesives evenly and free from inclusions. With polished finishes, best results are achieved using adhesives with low shrinkage (such as PVA) to minimize telegraphing.
Because some surface ripple is inevitable, it is not possible to achieve a perfect mirror finish. Good fabrication technique can minimise this optical distortion.
Cold Bending
As a general rule, Metallic Laminate strips in widths of up to 60mm can be cold bent to a radius of 200mm. It is possible to cold bend wider strips but considerable force is required; in addition to adhesive, the laminate must be fixed back with a metal section or capping strip to prevent spring-back.
Postforming
Some Metallic Laminate items are available in postforming grade, identified by the letters PF printed on the protective coating. These laminates can be formed in the temperature range 120˚C - 130˚C, using normal static or continuous postforming machines. The recommended minimum forming radius is 12mm, though tighter bends can be achieved depending on equipment and technique.
Pressing
Metallic Laminates should be press bonded to achieve optimum aesthetic appearance.
Cold or hot pressing (60˚C maximum) can be used, at a pressure of 10N/cm2 - 30N/cm2 (14psi - 43psi). Press platens and nip rollers must be clean. Smooth down any creases in the protective coating before pressing. You could use suitable padding to obtain uniform pressure when pressing embossed laminates. Remove any glue spillage immediately with warm water and a damp cloth.
Do not use melamine-surfaced laminates to balance Metallic Laminate.
For optimum flatness use the same laminate on both sides (Category A).
Flatness meeting BS 4965 requirements (1mm maximum distortion over 600mm length) can be achieved using the corresponding metallic balancer (Category B).
For small panels, or where flatness is less important, a phenolic laminate backing board may be used (Category C).
Carry out pre-conditioning as for normal laminates.
Finishing
Edges may be trimmed in the normal manner and any burrs can be removed with a fine file, always working towards the laminate surface. Corners of internal cut-outs must be radiused and free from chipping.
Use solvent cleaners with care. First test the cleaner on a scrap off-cut to check that it causes no surface damage. Do not use solvents on products with a polyurethane lacquer finish.
Do not use melamine-surfaced laminates to balance Metallic Laminate.
The subtle decorative effects of Metallic laminates make them unsuitable for:
1. applications in areas subject to wear and tear, such as horizontal working surfaces;
2. long-term exposure to high humidity or wet conditions;
3. applications involving wear from abrasive materials or contact with corrosive reagents;
4. environments with temperatures exceeding 60˚C.
