Both materials are available in a variety of finishes although high pressure laminate offers a wider variety of pattern and texture.
High pressure laminate vs melamine.
Laminex launched the first high pressure laminate or hpl onto the australian market way back in 1952.
The material is a high pressure laminate hpl manufactured under 1 400 pounds of pressure per square inch more than three times over melamine sheets.
Of course there is a cost savings with thermal fused melamine.
This is a product that results when a thin paper is pressed at a high pressure of 300 500psi to a board.
Melamine high pressure laminate is commonly referred to as hpl and is manufactured under 1000kg per square metre of pressure pressing down on 6 to 8 layers of kraft paper bonded with phenolic resin glue then topped by a polymer facing.
Understanding the differences between high pressure laminate and low pressure melamine is the best way to choose the right product for the project.
Low pressure laminate also known as pre finished board or melamine is a thin single melamine paper bonded directly to a substrate usually craft wood or particle board.
Melamine is also referred to as direct pressure laminate or low pressure laminate.
However it is popular among the people only as melamine.
Plastic laminate comes in three grades.
Applications include bench tops joinery wall panelling lockers tables where scuff resistance is prominent.