plastic laminate
Definition
Noun: A plastic laminate is a composite material created by permanently bonding together multiple thin layers (plies) of plastic or plastic-impregnated materials under heat and pressure. The resulting sheet is durable, hard, and often has a decorative surface.
Usage
A plastic laminate is primarily used as a surfacing material. It is commonly applied to a core substrate, such as particleboard or plywood, to create countertops, furniture, cabinets, and wall panels. - It is a manufactured product bought in sheets. - It is typically attached with adhesive. - It is valued for its resistance to stains, heat, and wear.
Examples
Advanced Usage
- High-Pressure Laminate (HPL): A specific type of plastic laminate made under very high pressure (over 1,000 psi), resulting in an extremely durable sheet commonly used for countertops and laboratory furniture.
- Low-Pressure Laminate (LPL): Also known as thermally fused laminate, this type is made under lower pressure and is often used for vertical surfaces like cabinet doors and sides.
Variants and Related Words
- Laminate (noun/verb): The broader category of layered materials or the act of creating them. A plastic laminate is one type of laminate.
- Decorative Laminate: A common synonym emphasizing the surface design.
- Melamine: A specific type of resin often used in the layers of a plastic laminate.
Synonyms
- Decorative laminate
- Surfacing laminate
- High-pressure laminate (as a specific type)
Related Phrases
- Laminate flooring: While also a layered product, this typically refers to floor planks with a photographic image layer protected by a clear plastic laminate wear layer.
- Laminate countertop: A countertop whose visible surface is a sheet of plastic laminate.
Noun
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a laminate made by bonding plastic layers
