Laminates are surface coating materials produced by impregnating the papers having resin-absorbing capability with melamine formaldehyde and phenol formaldehyde resins and by pressing under high temperature and pressure varying according to the type of production. The abundance of color, pattern, design and shape; its aesthetic appearance provides multi-design and good-looking; the low cost, easy-to-use and hygienically features make the material preferable. There are two kinds of laminates depending on the pressing and production techniques:

• High pressure laminate (HPL)
• Low pressure laminate (CPL)

On the other hand, there are three types of laminates based o their application :

• Post forming laminate
• Standard laminate
• Compact laminate

HIGH PRESSURE LAMINATE (HPL) HPL is produced by multi-layered presses after a period of 60-90 minutes under 100-120 kg/cm 2 pressure and 170 0C temperatures. The high pressure and temperature provides molecular compaction of the mass and avoids formation of bacteria. For this reason, it is highly preferred by medical institutions. High pressure laminates have no alternatives especially for flat surfaces. The production is made in three different stages.

• Preparation of the paper,
• Pressing,
• Grinding and polishing with emery and giving dimensions.

CONTINUOUS PRESSURE LAMINATE (CPL) This is also known as roll laminate. It is produced in between steel bands stretched in between two drums, and under 170 oC temperature and 25-50 kg/cm 2 pressure. It is then cooled and rolled around a spool. ADVANTAGES OF USAGE OF LAMINATE OVER THE OTHER MATERIAL

• It does not need a secondary covering treatment since it is produced on wood coating.
• It is highly resistant to abrasion, breaking and failure.
• It has very low water-absorbing capacity.
• It is highly resistant to high temperatures (20 minutes at 180 oC).
• It is highly resistant to moisture.
• The vertical and horizontal application of the material is very convenient.
• It has attractively low cost compared to wood coating.
• It has no cost of jointing since it is produced in forms of panels.
• It has post forming feature.
• It can be re-painted in time.

APPLICATION FIELDS OF LAMINATE

• In houses ; as kitchen and bathroom cupboards, kitchen benches and doors,
• In schools ; as student’s desks, tables, teacher’s desks and doors,
• In offices ; as secretary tables, front- desk benches and office furniture,
• In hospitals ; as clinic, operation room and inner space coatings,
• In laboratories ; as table, bench and inner space coatings,
• In hotels and holiday villages, as coatings of dressing rooms and shower cabins,
• In elevator cabins,
• In wet spaces such as bathrooms and restrooms,
• As interior coating of specially designed cars,
• As billboards,
• In suspended ceiling designs.
• The compact laminate for exterior fronts may be used in dressing the buildings.