TESTS ON THE LAMINATE

VARIATION ON THE THICKNESS:

It is the test, which is used to determine the thickness of the laminate and to determine its suitability to the standards. It is carried out with an micrometer.

APPEARANCE:

It determines the suitability of the board surfaces to the quality standards. The faulty section or the stains on the surface are determined with an certain amount of light source.

RESISTANCE AGAINST ABRASION:

It is the test, where the surface of the board is abraded with a certain weight abrasive down to the lower layers. The resistance of the surface against the abrasive elements is tested with this test.

The test piece is clamped on the holder as the surface lying flat. The abrasive wheels are lowered on to the surface and the wheel is rotated. The test is continued in this way until the first abrasion (IP) and the final abrasion (FP) is observed and the rotation speeds are recorded.

The first abrasion point is observed on the surface of the board and the rotation speed, when the first abrasion is seen, is recorded. The final abrasion is taken as the point when the 95% of the patterns on the point, where the first abrasion is observed, are disappeared and the rotation speed at this point is recorded. The resistance to abrasion is calculated as (IP+FP)/2.

RESISTANCE TO IMMERSION IN THE BOILING WATER:

The resistance to the changes in the thickness and the mass of the board when it is immersed in boiling water is tested. The amount of blisters are observed.

The test pieces of the dimension of 50 x 50 mm are prepared as three units. The test pieces are weighed and their weight is recorded with the denomination of m. The thickness of the test piece is measured at four sides with an micrometer and they are recorded. The test pieces are lowered in to the tank, which contains boiling water without touching to each other and the tank. They are boiled for two hours and immersed in water for cooling, which is at room temperature. The test pieces are dried and weighted and the required measurements are carried out and the results are evaluated as percentages and their suitability to the standards are controlled.

RESISTANCE TO DRY HEAT:

The board is left in the dry heat environment (180 oC) and its resistance to the test conditions is determined. A aluminium container, which contains a material that has been heated up to 180 oC, is placed on the test piece. The container is left on the test piece for 20 minutes and then it is removed. The laminate is left for cooling. Formation of the scratch, gloss, colour loss, blisters on the surface is controlled.

RESISTANCE AGAINST SCRATCHING:

The resistance of the board to the scratching is tested by applying a weight with a diamond point on the surface of the board. The test piece is placed in the scratching test apparatus. The applied load is increased with steps and scratch is obtained on the surface. It is continued to increase the load until it is not possible to see an visible scratch is obtained.
The test piece is removed from the apparatus and it is observed at different angles. The smallest load value, which leaves permanent marking is recorded as the scratching value.

RESISTANCE TO STAINING:

The surface of the board is contacted with various staining elements. After an suitable time elapses, the staining material is cleaned with suitable solvent. By observing the surface at different angles for any changes, it is determined that which of the staining material effects the surface.   

RESISTANCE TO CIGARETTE BURNING:

It is used to determine the damage due to the cigarette burning on the surface of the board. The test piece is bonded on to the chipboard with an suitable adhesive. A burning cigarette is left on the test piece for a certain amount of time to burn. The surface is cleaned with alcohol. Visual control is carried out. Colour change, blistering and cracking is controlled.

FORMING:

It is the determination of the forming of the test piece with heat. The test piece, which is marked with temperature indicator, is placed in the heating channel. When the heat indicator melts completely, the test piece is placed in the forming apparatus. The cooled down sample is taken out and controlled visually. It is controlled for cracks and blisters.

RESISTANCE TO BLISTERING:

It is to determine the resistance of the laminate boards against blistering during forming operation. The test piece, which is marked with temperature indicator, is placed in the heating channel. The time between the moment that the temperature indicator melts and time that the blistering starts is recorded with an chronometer.

RESISTANCE TO STEAM:

The surface of the test piece, which is taken from the laminate board, is applied with steam and the changes on the appearance of the surface is observed. The test piece is placed on the mouth of the steam generator and the test piece is fixed. The steam is applied for 1 hour and the test piece is removed. The changes in the appearance is controlled.