{"id":32511,"date":"2024-08-15T11:46:36","date_gmt":"2024-08-15T10:46:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/?post_type=insight&#038;p=32511"},"modified":"2025-08-07T10:46:53","modified_gmt":"2025-08-07T09:46:53","slug":"decorative-laminates","status":"publish","type":"insight","link":"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/insight\/decorative-laminates\/","title":{"rendered":"Decorative Laminates"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-post\" data-elementor-id=\"32511\" class=\"elementor elementor-32511\" data-elementor-post-type=\"insight\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e38d165 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"32084\" data-id=\"e38d165\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-da92a45\" data-eae-slider=\"92588\" data-id=\"da92a45\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5133639 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5133639\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"reference1\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Composites<sup><a href=\"#references\">[1]<\/a><\/sup>, attractive because of their low weight and high strength, are common throughout the construction industry and are used for both structural and aesthetic purposes. Laminates are a type of composite, manufactured from multiple layers of materials that are stacked on top of each other and joined together using a combination of pressure, heat and adhesives. Laminates are commonly used for decorative purposes, such as floors, as well as door and furniture surfaces.<\/p>\n<p>This article discusses some of the common problems that cause laminates and their underlying substrates to become \u2018unbalanced\u2019. This can not only be unsightly but can also cause the product to no longer fulfil its expected safety requirements.<\/p>\n<h4><span style=\"color: #007aa3;\">Laminate Manufacture&nbsp;<\/span><\/h4>\n<p>Typical <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/expertise\/materials-chemistry-biology\/composites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">composites<\/a> are made up of fibres, which provide mechanical strength, and a matrix, which transfers the load between the fibres. The resulting material has features of both the fibre and the matrix. Laminates are classified as a type of composite comprising sheets or panels (lamina) that have a preferred high-strength direction. These layers are stacked and glued together such that the orientation of the high-strength direction varies with each layer; these stacks are then adhered to a substrate, typically wood.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6a39605 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"58242\" data-id=\"6a39605\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f1e6b12\" data-eae-slider=\"93831\" data-id=\"f1e6b12\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-d17c3e8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"d17c3e8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<a href=\"#references\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"295\" height=\"412\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Picture1.png\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-32514\" alt=\"A schematic drawing which shows how different layers of sheets are stacked to form a laminate\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Picture1.png 295w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Picture1-215x300.png 215w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 295px) 100vw, 295px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\"><\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3ce1f48 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"3ce1f48\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>A schematic drawing of how these layers can be stacked.<a href=\"#references\"> <sup>[2]<\/sup><\/a><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d22dbee elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"40255\" data-id=\"d22dbee\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-9179bd2\" data-eae-slider=\"35497\" data-id=\"9179bd2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1a67e64 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"1a67e64\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Decorative laminates are typically constructed from kraft papers impregnated with resin that adhere to the back of decorative paper. The fibres in the paper give the mechanical strength in tension and the material used to impregnate the paper is the matrix, providing the compressive strength when bent. It is important to note that the kraft papers used have a fibre orientation and can be laid to maximise the mechanical strength in a particular direction.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-4ad5dc5 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"38177\" data-id=\"4ad5dc5\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a1b18c0\" data-eae-slider=\"3593\" data-id=\"a1b18c0\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82a87b8 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"82a87b8\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"422\" height=\"314\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Chrstabel-pic-ss-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-32636\" alt=\"Picture which shows an example of different raft papers with perpendicular grain orientations.\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Chrstabel-pic-ss-1.jpg 422w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Chrstabel-pic-ss-1-300x223.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 422px) 100vw, 422px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">An example of two different kraft papers with perpendicular grain orientations.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a58e85d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"8001\" data-id=\"a58e85d\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-58821cd\" data-eae-slider=\"44694\" data-id=\"58821cd\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-437926f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"437926f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Each laminate has multiple layers of this paper which are then compressed and adhered to each other using either a high-pressure system or a continuous high-pressure system.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-610fa5f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"32207\" data-id=\"610fa5f\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5ebcb0f\" data-eae-slider=\"21058\" data-id=\"5ebcb0f\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-44a7adb elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"44a7adb\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"504\" height=\"314\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Picture3.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-32524\" alt=\"The image shows a schematic of a typical decorative laminate layup\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Picture3.jpg 504w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Picture3-300x187.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 504px) 100vw, 504px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Schematic of a typical decorative laminate layup. <\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e583358 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"1612\" data-id=\"e583358\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-ce5cae6\" data-eae-slider=\"98760\" data-id=\"ce5cae6\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-7f84658 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"7f84658\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>High-pressure laminates (HPL) consist of multiple layers of kraft paper which have been saturated in a phenolic resin. A decorative layer of paper saturated with a melamine resin is then applied on top. These are then compressed in a static press at pressures \u2265 50 bar and temperatures \u2265 120\u02daC to form the finished laminate. Laminates manufactured in this way are typically used for panels that are likely to be subjected to a high wear, such as work tops. BS EN 438, the standard for high-pressure decorative laminates, states that the minimum permitted thickness of the laminate is 0.8 mm \u00b1 0.1 mm.<\/p><p>The process for manufacturing continuous high-pressure laminates (C-HPL) differs in that, whilst the pressures and temperatures used to make these laminates are similar to those used in HPL, the laminates are passed through a continuous roller, allowing for faster and more efficient manufacturing.<\/p><h4><span style=\"color: #007aa3;\">Unbalanced Laminates\u00a0<\/span><\/h4><p><span style=\"color: #000000;\">As described above, the kraft paper used to manufacture laminates has a fibre orientation that will affect the mechanical properties of the laminate, as will the thickness of the laminate and how the laminates have been manufactured. One of the most common problems encountered when using laminates<\/span><sup><a href=\"#references\">[3] <\/a><\/sup><span style=\"color: #000000;\">is warping, caused by unbalanced panel construction.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-6eeae1e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"19907\" data-id=\"6eeae1e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4651ea3\" data-eae-slider=\"84430\" data-id=\"4651ea3\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-019a599 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"019a599\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figure class=\"wp-caption\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"311\" height=\"465\" src=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Christabel-SS-2.jpg\" class=\"attachment-large size-large wp-image-32637\" alt=\"Picture shows laminate warping at the base of a door which has then damaged the door\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Christabel-SS-2.jpg 311w, https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/08\/Christabel-SS-2-201x300.jpg 201w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 311px) 100vw, 311px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<figcaption class=\"widget-image-caption wp-caption-text\">Warping at the base of a fire door.<\/figcaption>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/figure>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1c668ba elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"3767\" data-id=\"1c668ba\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4155c93\" data-eae-slider=\"47276\" data-id=\"4155c93\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-887d326 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"887d326\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>There are several factors that can cause a panel to become unbalanced. These include (but are not limited to):<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-2ab563b elementor-align-left elementor-icon-list--layout-traditional elementor-list-item-link-full_width elementor-widget elementor-widget-icon-list\" data-id=\"2ab563b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"icon-list.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<ul class=\"elementor-icon-list-items\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">The specification of the laminates used on each face \u2013 laminate manufacturers allow the customer to choose what laminates they want installed on their product.  For example, a customer might want a door with one type of laminate installed on the inside face, and a different laminate on the outside.  When materials with different properties are rigidly glued together, changes in moisture content across the panel can occur, which causes the materials to try and change shape (expand or contract).  When this happens, stresses can accumulate.  The panel will warp if the stresses on one side of the panel are significantly larger or smaller than on the other side of the panel i.e., the panel is unbalanced.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">The orientation of the laminates used \u2013 where different fibre orientations are used.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Pre-conditioning of the laminate \u2013 this is carried out before bonding of the lamina and substrate and involves storing all materials used at a controlled temperature and humidity.  This minimises the differential movement caused by changes in temperature and humidity.<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<li class=\"elementor-icon-list-item\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-icon\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<svg aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"e-font-icon-svg e-fas-chevron-right\" viewBox=\"0 0 320 512\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\"><path d=\"M285.476 272.971L91.132 467.314c-9.373 9.373-24.569 9.373-33.941 0l-22.667-22.667c-9.357-9.357-9.375-24.522-.04-33.901L188.505 256 34.484 101.255c-9.335-9.379-9.317-24.544.04-33.901l22.667-22.667c9.373-9.373 24.569-9.373 33.941 0L285.475 239.03c9.373 9.372 9.373 24.568.001 33.941z\"><\/path><\/svg>\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-icon-list-text\">Conditioning of the laminate \u2013 the fully constructed laminates are typically stored in the environment in which they are to be installed in for several days to allow them to acclimatise to the environment. <\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/li>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/ul>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7fecb19 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"49434\" data-id=\"7fecb19\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1050c1a\" data-eae-slider=\"56765\" data-id=\"1050c1a\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-eb228d1 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"eb228d1\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Another key factor to consider is the end environment in which the laminates are to be installed; large variations in temperature or relative humidity can cause the product to warp or distort after it has been installed.<\/p><p>Warping, whether caused by unbalanced construction, inadequately conditioned materials or the end environment is of particular importance when the product is required to conform to a specific standard or is safety critical, for example, the use of laminates in the manufacturing of fire doors, which are required to have maximum gaps between the door and the frame to allow for the proper operation of the smoke seals.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-855331e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"99432\" data-id=\"855331e\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cacac87\" data-eae-slider=\"43801\" data-id=\"cacac87\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-85ceed0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"85ceed0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><span style=\"color: #007aa3;\">About the Author\u00a0<\/span><\/h4><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/experts\/christabel-evans\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Christabel<\/a> is a Materials Engineer with extensive experience in the failures of <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/expertise\/materials-chemistry-biology\/plastics-polymers\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">polymers<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/expertise\/materials-chemistry-biology\/metallurgy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">metals<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/expertise\/materials-chemistry-biology\/glass-ceramics\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">glass<\/a>,\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/expertise\/materials-chemistry-biology\/composites\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">composites<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/expertise\/engineering\/escapes-of-water-oil-gas\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">escapes of water and oil<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/expertise\/engineering\/mechanical-engineering\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">mechanical system failures<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/expertise\/personal-injury\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">personal injury<\/a> claims.<\/p><p>She has written several CPR-compliant court reports and regularly presents at industry awareness days. She is well-versed in the testing and characterisation of conceptual and current materials and has experience in failure analysis of electrical components.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p>Hawkins has the technical knowledge and experience to tell you why a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/expertise\/materials-chemistry-biology\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">materials<\/a> failure occurred, not just what caused it. Our services range from a free consultation through to a full investigation including a court-compliant report for the support of legal action. If you would like to discuss how we can assist you, please fill out our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/contact\/free-consultation\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">enquiry form<\/a> or <a href=\"https:\/\/www.hawkins.biz\/contact\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">call us<\/a> for a free consultation.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-7e22b50 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-eae-slider=\"40944\" data-id=\"7e22b50\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"has_eae_slider elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-452229d\" data-eae-slider=\"41990\" data-id=\"452229d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b1840fd elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"b1840fd\" data-element_type=\"widget\" id=\"references\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><span style=\"color: #007aa3;\">References<\/span><\/h4><p>[1] Comprising of two or more materials with different physical and\/or chemical properties.<\/p><p>[2] Source: https:\/\/www.researchgate.net\/figure\/A-laminate-made-up-of-lamina-with-different-fiber-orientations_fig2_308721666.<\/p><p>[3] Bent or twisted out of shape.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>This article discusses some of the common problems that cause laminates and their underlying substrates to become \u2018unbalanced\u2019. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":32562,"parent":0,"template":"","insight_category":[20],"experties":[62,68],"class_list":["post-32511","insight","type-insight","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","insight_category-engineering","experties-built-environment","experties-materials-chemistry-biology"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v25.5 - 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