Testing services / High-pressure decorative laminate (HPL) testing according to EN 438-2

High-pressure decorative laminate (HPL) testing according to EN 438-2

Determination of the properties of high-pressure decorative laminates (HPL), i.e., sheets based on thermosetting resins, according to EN 438-2. The standard specifies test methods applicable to HPL sheets as classified in EN 438-3 (standard grades), EN 438-4 (compact laminates), EN 438-5 (flooring grades), EN 438-6 (exterior grades), EN 438-8 (design laminates), and EN 438-9 (alternative core laminates).

The following properties can be determined:

Dimensions and geometry: thickness, flatness, length, width, edge straightness, and squareness
Surface resistance: abrasion, micro-scratch resistance, scratching, crazing, and impact by small- and large-diameter balls
Stain and chemical resistance: resistance to domestic staining agents and chemicals
Thermal and moisture resistance: resistance to dry heat, wet heat, boiling water immersion, water vapor, wet conditions, and climatic shock
Light and UV resistance: lightfastness and resistance to artificial weathering and UV light
Formability: assessment of postformability characteristics
Dimensional stability at elevated temperature

Tests can be performed as pass/fail assessments against specified requirements or to generate quantitative performance data for product classification and comparison. Please specify the properties to be tested when requesting a quote.

Suitable sample matrices: HPL sheets
Available quality systems: Accredited testing laboratory
Standard: EN 438
Method expert: Ryan Johnsson

Building materials

Polymers and plastics

Physical and chemical properties

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Other tests we offer

Surface drying test for paints and varnishes according to ISO 9117

Determination of the surface-drying characteristics of paints, varnishes, and related coating materials that dry by air action or chemical reaction, according to ISO 9117-3. The method does not apply to stoving products. The test uses ballotini glass beads applied to the coating surface to assess the surface-drying state. It can be performed in two ways: as a pass/fail test determining whether the surface-dry state has been reached after a specified time, or by repeated assessment at defined intervals to establish the surface-drying time. Results are reported as the surface-drying state at the specified time (go/no go) or as the time required to reach the surface-dry state. Measurlabs can also offer the following alternative drying tests from the ISO 9117 series: through-dry state and through-dry time (ISO 9117-1), pressure test for stackability (ISO 9117-2), mechanical recorder test (ISO 9117-4), modified Bandow-Wolff test (ISO 9117-5), and print-free test (ISO 9117-6). Please ask our experts for more information and a quote.

Methane (CH4) transmission rate of plastic films and sheeting

ISO 15105-1, ISO 15105-2

Determination of methane transmission rate of plastic films and sheet-like materials with the differential pressure method (ISO 15105-1). Testing is performed on two parallel samples. Measurement temperature can be chosen from 0 °C to 200 °C with a relative humidity of 0%. Fragile samples can be measured with the equal pressure method (ISO 15105-2) for an additional fee.

XRR of thin films or coatings

X-Ray Reflectometry (XRR) analysis is used to measure the density (g/cm3), thickness (nm), and roughness (nm) of thin films. The method is applicable to the characterization of single- or multilayered thin films, as it provides information on the thickness and density of individual layers of the sample material as well as the roughness of the interphases. Greatest accuracy for XRR thickness measurements is generally achieved for samples containing 1-150 nm thick surface layers with under 5 nm RMS roughness. Thicker films and coatings with rougher surfaces can also be characterized, but the accuracy of thickness determination decreases as the thickness and roughness of the film or film stack increase. >150 mm wafers are typically cut to fit the sample holder. Please let us know if you need testing for larger wafers that cannot be cut into pieces. The available temperature range for XRR measurements is 25-1100 °C, and crystallinity can be studied as a function of temperature. The measurements can be performed under a normal atmosphere, inert gas, or vacuum. Measurements are typically performed using one of the following instruments: Rigaku SmartLab, Panalytical X'Pert Pro MRD, Bruker D8 Discover. Please let us know if you have a preference for a specific instrument.

Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of packages

This test is designed to measure the oxygen transmission rate of finished packages, including cups, bottles, trays, and containers. Two replica measurements are included in the displayed price. Temperature can be adjusted from 15 to 55 °C, and relative humidity can be either 0% or between 5 and 90% RH. This test is not suitable for films. Please see the oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of films and sheeting if you need testing for film samples. Please specify the sample dimensions and testing conditions upon ordering.

Biomass molecular weight analysis (SEC/GPC)

The molar mass distribution of biomass samples soluble in pure water or organic solvents (DMF, DMSO, and THF) is measured using size exclusion chromatography with a refractive index detector (SEC-RID). The system is calibrated with polystyrene and dextran standards. A Pullulan standard is also available upon request. In the case of lignin samples, molar mass distribution is analyzed using SEC coupled with an ultraviolet detector at 256 nm wavelength. The lignin is dissolved in a suitable solvent before analysis, and the SEC system is calibrated with a polystyrene sulfonate standard. A borate buffer is used to set the pH for the eluent. The weight-average molecular weight (Mw) and number-average molecular weight (Mn) are reported. For absolute molecular weight, a GPC system coupled with a multi-angle light scattering (MALS) detector can be used. The mobile phase for this system is THF. An additional cost applies to this method.

Water vapor transmission rate (WVTR) of ultra-high barrier films and sheetings

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Oxygen transmission rate (OTR) of plastic films and sheeting

ASTM D3985, ASTM F 2622, ASTM F1927, …

Determination of the oxygen transmission rate of plastic films and sheet-like materials. The test is performed on two parallel samples simultaneously. Measurement conditions (temperature and relative humidity) can be chosen according to the intended use of the material. Oxygen permeability is typically measured at 23 °C and 0% relative humidity as per standard ASTM D3985. In moist conditions, for example at 38 °C and 90% relative humidity, standard ASTM F1927 is used. Please disclose the desired temperature (from 15 °C to 50 °C) and relative humidity (either 0% or 10% to 90%) upon requesting an offer. This measurement is suitable for materials with OTR values between 0.01 and 5000 cm3/(m2 * day).

ISO 4589-2: Burning behavior by oxygen index

The ISO 4589-2 oxygen index test is used to evaluate the fire behavior of certain railway materials according to the EN 45545-2 standard. It is required to meet requirements R22, R23, and R24, which apply to products such as insulators, seals, pipes, and hoses. The oxygen index (OI) is the minimum volume-based percentage of oxygen in an oxygen-nitrogen mixture required to support the combustion of the sample under specified conditions. For a material to meet EN 45545-2 requirements, the OI must be at least 28% (hazard classes HL1 and HL2) or at least 32% (HL3). Testing is performed on 20 replicate samples, with the required specimen size depending on the material: 80−150 mm x 10 mm x 4 mm for mould-made materials, such as plastics, 80−150 mm x 10 mm x 10 mm for porous materials, such as foams, 140 mm x 52 mm x d, where d < 10.5 mm, for flexible films, sheets, and fabrics.

Surface and volume resistivity of plastics

ASTM D257, ASTM D991, EN 62631-3-1, …

These analyses (IEC 62631-3-1 and IEC 62631-3-2) measure the resistive properties of solid plastics under direct current (DC) conditions. Flat plates of the sample are placed between two electrodes, and a known DC voltage is applied. For volume resistivity (IEC 62631-3-1), the current flowing through the bulk material is measured. For surface resistivity (IEC 62631-3-2), the current along the surface is measured. Resistivity values are calculated from the applied voltage and measured current. The tests are typically conducted in triplicate at 23 °C and 50% RH after conditioning the samples for 4 days at 23 °C and 50% RH. Samples should have a thickness close to their intended application. Surface and volume resistivity analyses conducted at cryogenic and elevated temperatures (up to 250°C) are also available, as well as other electrical tests for plastic materials, including those conducted according to ASTM standards. Please contact our experts for a quote tailored to your project.

459–1,159 €

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon (PAH) analysis of solid samples

GC-MS analysis of 16 PAH compounds, which are listed as high-priority pollutants by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The analyzed PAH compounds are: naphthalene [CAS: 91-20-3], acenaphthylene [CAS: 208-96-8], acenaphthene [CAS: 83-32-9], fluorene [CAS: 86-73-7], phenanthrene [CAS: 85-01-8], anthracene [CAS: 120-12-7], fluoranthene [CAS: 206-44-0], pyrene [CAS: 129-00-0], benz(a)anthracene [CAS: 56-55-3], chrysene [CAS: 218-01-9], benzo(b)fluoranthene [CAS: 205-99-2], benzo(k)fluoranthene [CAS: 207-08-9], benzo (a) pyrene [CAS: 50-32-8], dibenzo(ah)anthracene [CAS: 53-70-3], benzo (ghi) perylene [CAS: 191-24-2], indeno (123cd) pyrene [CAS: 193-39-5].

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