Electron beam hardened laminate process
The electron beam hardened laminate process is a special process for integrating surface structures into a plastic film. It is used, among other things, in laminate production . A decorative paper ( plastic film ) is soaked in acrylic resins and applied to a carrier. The acrylic resin is "cured" when it is bombarded with electrons. The structure of the surface is the result of the interaction of the plastic film (the so-called release film) and the hardening of the resin. The properties of the resulting surface are essentially determined by the recipe of the acrylic resin, the duration and intensity of the electron bombardment . Only then is the already finished laminate applied to the wooden support with a thermoset glue without applying great pressure and temperatures.
use
- In the paper coating process , a final, protective lacquer layer is applied, similar to decor printing. This means that only thin application quantities are used in this process. The decor paper is not impregnated with electron beam curing resins.
- The plate coating process with subsequent electron beam hardening works according to the classic process. First, a carrier is coated with a decorative paper. Then the lacquer system is applied and the lacquer layer on top is then cured by means of electron beams. Impregnation of the decorative paper with electron beam curing resins does not take place in this process either.
- With the direct printing process , the plate carrier is printed directly with the decor. The wear and wear layer can then be applied with paint systems that are UV-curing or solvent-curing. In this process, paper is not used. The reproducibility of the decors from one delivery to the next is not without problems, as the panels are subject to normal fluctuations. This also affects the absorbency of the plate. This in turn leads to necessary adjustments in the painting process. The cost-benefit ratio for the consumer is controversial in this process.