Production technology
This material is produced by the method of pressing sheets of fiberboard and paper, which is impregnated with melamine resin. And the operational properties and service life directly depend on the total thickness of the laminated film. And get it just from melamine and acrylic resin. It is this top layer that determines how resistant the coating will be to contaminants, moisture, UV rays, mechanical stress and other factors.
Under the laminated film there is a paper with the drawing put on it. Most often it depicts the textures of valuable species of wood( imitation of a parquet board).The lowest layer is a fiberboard or chipboard. It is designed to give strength to the entire coating.
Below the base is treated with melamine, which protects it from moisture. Plus, it provides the necessary rigidity and protection from warpage and deformation. The thickness of the entire laminate is on average 6 to 12 mm.
Test this material with 18 different tests, and this test is called a "Taber test".In the course of determining the technical characteristics and parameters of wear resistance. Based on the results of this test, the operating classes are distinguished. The higher the class, the greater the strength.
Laminate: pros and cons
If you describe the advantages of a laminate, then you can first highlight the ease of assembly and laying .What can not be said about the floor. Laminate panels are connected to each other by means of grooves and studs and are not attached to the base in any way. Thus, this coating can be quickly and easily dismantled. The second thing that can be distinguished is the performance characteristics of the .Laminate is easy to clean with water, has resistance to any chemical detergent.
The third important indicator is that this coating does not need to be repaired and looped over time. It is quite durable. Also important is the high noise insulation parameter .Well, the last thing to mention - wide variety of colors and textures allows you to choose a cover for almost any interior.
If we talk about the disadvantages of laminate, then they are much smaller. Firstly, the laminate consists of artificial materials and does not contain wood. It has a low toxicity index, but, nevertheless, it is. Secondly, the minuses of the laminate can include fear of water . Despite the fact that the top layer protects well against moisture, it is impossible to say about inter-panel joints .As a result, the material may begin to peel off.
Laminate: is it harmful?
Due to the fact that this material is made entirely of synthetic components, the question arises - is the laminate harmful to health? Yes, it can not be called completely environmentally safe. But all components contained in it do not exceed the permissible norm. That is, to say that the harmfulness of the laminate is high - you can not. It can be used in rooms where there are children, elderly and even sick people.
Just in case, we describe the substances released during its operation: aromatic carbohydrates( xylene and toluene) and formaldehyde. In large quantities, these components can lead to disruption of the central nervous system, the immune system. However, according to all experts, in the material they are contained in minimal doses. Because the question is whether the laminate is harmful, should not bother consumers, since the small mass of these substances does not affect the human body in a pernicious way.