LAMINATED PARTICLE BOARD - MEANING, ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES

LAMINATED PARTICLE/FIBRE BOARD:

            On the normal particle/fibre board, when the laminate-design-paper is pasted then it is called ‘Laminated Particle/fibre Board’. This design paper is pasted on the hot-press and is on both sides of the board. The resin used for pasting is Phenol Formaldehyde or of similar grade. The design paper is pasted on both sides in order to prevent the warpage. Thicknesses of these sheets available are 6mm, 8mm, 10mm, 12mm, 15mm, 18mm and 25mm. The overall sizes available are 1.22 m x 2.44 m, 1.84m x 2.74 m and 1.84 m x 3.66 m.

            The desired design paper may be on one side or both sides. When it is on one side it is called ‘One side laminated board’. Even though it is called one side laminated board, on the other side some neutral coloured sheet like off-white or white is pasted in order to prevent warpage. When the desired design sheet is on both sides, it is called ‘Both side laminated particle board’.

            Like plywood and fibre/particle board, we get both kinds of Laminated Particle boards in view of water resistance. That is we get Marine or waterproof laminated boards and ordinary or commercial grade. Normally these are called ‘Exterior grade’ and ‘Interior grade’ respectively.

            Furniture made with laminated particle board has following advantages.

i] It works out cheaper by 15% than the one made with plywood and laminate.

ii] The process time to erect is shorter with laminated particle board.

iii] The laminated particle board furniture looks much neater and cleaner than the plywood and laminate type.

iv] The particle boards are never attacked by termites whereas; this is not the case with plywood.

v] The particle boards are ecofriendly since they save the trees whereas, plywood warrant tree cutting for manufacture.

            Even though there are many advantages of laminated particle board furniture, there are some limitations too. These are

i] Since particle/fibre board has poor screw holding strength, especially on the edge, special fixtures and screws are needed.

ii] Since the laminate is pre-pasted, patterns in laminate design can not be made.

iii] Since the special fixtures used warrant accuracy, the furniture erection is needed to be done on machines. Hand tools do not attain the needed accuracy.

iv] Particle board is relatively heavier than plywood.

v] The repairs, which are normal for a plywood cabinet, are difficult in laminated particle board cabinet. Since, for these repairs trained carpenters are needed and normally, the damaged sheet needs to be replaced.