EN 438-9:2017

High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) - Part 9: Classification and specifications for alternative core laminates

This European Standard specifies performance requirements for high-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) intended for interior use, the core compositions of which are not covered by EN 438-3 [1] to EN 438-6 [4] and EN 438-8 [5]. The core composition types (coloured core and metal reinforced core) are defined in this part of EN 438.
EN 438-2 specifies the test methods relevant to this part of EN 438.

Dekorative Hochdruck-Schichtpressstoffplatten (HPL) - Platten auf Basis härtbarer Harze (Schichtpressstoffe) - Teil 9: Klassifizierung und Spezifikationen für Schichtpressstoffe mit alternativem Kernaufbau

Stratifiés décoratifs haute pression (HPL) - Plaques à base de résines thermodurcissables (communément appelées stratifiés) - Partie 9 : Classification et spécifications relatives aux stratifiés avec autres types d'âmes

Dekorativni visokotlačni laminati (HPL) - Plošče na osnovi duromernih smol (laminati) - 9. del: Razvrstitev in specifikacije za izbrane glavne laminate

Ta evropski standard določa zahtevane lastnosti visokotlačnih dekorativnih laminatov (LPH), ki so namenjeni za notranjo uporabo in katerih sestave jedra niso zajete v standardih od EN 438-3 [1] do EN 438-6 [4] in EN 438-8 [5]. Ključne vrste sestav jedra (obarvana in kovinsko ojačana jedra) so opredeljene v tem delu standarda EN 438.
Standard EN 438-2 določa preskusne metode, ki se nanašajo na ta del standarda EN 438

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 19-Dec-2017
• Withdrawal Date: 29-Jun-2018
• ICS: 83.140.20 - Laminated sheets
• Technical Committee: CEN/TC 249 - Plastics
• Drafting Committee: CEN/TC 249/WG 4 - Decorative laminated sheets based on thermosetting resins
• Current Stage: 9092 - Decision on results of review/2YR ENQ - revise - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 10-Jun-2024
• Completion Date: 14-Apr-2025
• Ref Project: SIST EN 438-9:2018 - High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) - Part 9: Classification and specifications for alternative core laminates

Relations

• Replaces: EN 438-9:2010+A1:2013 - High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (Usually called Laminates) - Part 9: Classification and specifications for alternative core laminates
• Effective Date: 18-Nov-2015
• Revised: FprEN 438-9 - High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) - Part 9: Classification and specifications for alternative core laminates
• Effective Date: 19-Jun-2024

Overview

EN 438-9:2017 is a CEN European Standard for high-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) with alternative core constructions intended for interior use. It specifies classification, performance and inspection requirements for HPL sheets whose core layer composition is not covered by other parts of EN 438. The standard defines the two alternative core types - coloured core and metal reinforced core - and references EN 438-2 for the relevant test methods.

Key topics and technical requirements

• Scope & purpose
  • Applies to HPL sheets (thermosetting-resin based) for interior decorative use where core layers differ from EN 438‑3 to EN 438‑6 and EN 438‑8.
  • Defines terminology (surface layer, alternative core layer, etc.) and typical HPL processing conditions.
• Classification system
  • Three-letter code: first letter for core type (B = coloured core; R = metal reinforced core), second for construction (C = compact; T = thin < 2 mm), third for grade (S = standard; F = flame retardant).
  • Example: HPL/EN 438‑9 BTS = coloured core, thin, standard grade.
• Material definitions
  • Coloured core layer: fibrous materials (paper) impregnated with coloured aminoplastic resins.
  • Metal reinforced core layer: metal foil/mesh combined with cellulosic/phenolic or aminoplastic impregnated layers to improve mechanical, fire or permeability performance.
• Inspection & visual requirements
  • Visual inspection criteria (colour, surface finish, reverse side suitability for bonding) with standard illuminants (D65 and A).
  • Permitted surface defects defined (limits for contamination area and length of fibres/scratches).
• Dimensional tolerances
  • Separate tolerance tables for thin and compact laminates, and for coloured-core vs metal-reinforced cores. Key parameters include thickness variation, flatness, length/width, straightness of edges and squareness.
• Testing & references
  • EN 438‑2 specifies property test methods. Other normative references include EN ISO 178, EN ISO 1183‑1, EN 12721, EN ISO 12572 and EN ISO 11664‑2.
• Fire considerations
  • Type F grade for improved fire retardance; Annex A provides informative guidance on reaction to fire.

Applications

• Decorative interior surfacing for furniture, panels, partitions and other non‑exterior finishes where alternative core properties (colour effect, metal reinforcement, fire or mechanical performance) are required.
• Use cases where a uniform coloured core, translucent effects, metallic edge appearance, or enhanced barrier/fire performance are desired.

Who uses this standard

• HPL manufacturers and product developers
• Architects, specifiers and interior designers
• Fabricators and laminate installers
• Test laboratories, quality managers and procurement officers
• Regulatory bodies and compliance teams

Related standards

• EN 438 series (Parts 1–8), especially EN 438‑2:2016 (Determination of properties)
• EN ISO 178, EN ISO 1183‑1, EN 12721, EN ISO 12572, EN ISO 11664‑2

Keywords: EN 438-9:2017, HPL, high-pressure decorative laminates, alternative core laminates, coloured core, metal reinforced core, dimensional tolerances, EN 438-2, classification and specifications.

Standards Content (Sample)

2003-01.Slovenski inštitut za standardizacijo. Razmnoževanje celote ali delov tega standarda ni dovoljeno.Dekorative Hochdruck-Schichtpressstoffplatten (HPL) - Platten auf Basis härtbarer Harze (Schichtpressstoffe) - Teil 9: Klassifizierung und Spezifikationen für Schichtpressstoffe mit alternativem KernaufbauStratifiés décoratifs haute pression (HPL) - Plaques à base de résines thermodurcissables (communément appelées stratifiés) - Partie 9 : Classification et spécifications relatives aux stratifiés avec autres types d'âmesHigh-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) - Part 9: Classification and specifications for alternative core laminates83.140.20Laminated sheetsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 438-9:2017SIST EN 438-9:2018en,fr,de01-marec-2018SIST EN 438-9:2018SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 438-9:2010+A1:20141DGRPHãþD

EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 438-9
December
t r s y ICS
z uä s v rä t r Supersedes EN
v u zæ {ã t r s r ªA sã t r s uEnglish Version
Classification and specifications for alternative core laminates spécifications relatives aux stratifiés avec autres types d 5âmes æ Teil
{ã Klassifizierung und Spezifikationen für Schichtpressstoffe mit alternativem Kernaufbau This European Standard was approved by CEN on
t { October
t r s yä
egulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a national standard without any alterationä Upætoædate lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre or to any CEN memberä
translation under the responsibility of a CEN member into its own language and notified to the CENæCENELEC Management Centre has the same status as the official versionsä
CEN members are the national standards bodies of Austriaá Belgiumá Bulgariaá Croatiaá Cyprusá Czech Republicá Denmarká Estoniaá Finlandá Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedoniaá Franceá Germanyá Greeceá Hungaryá Icelandá Irelandá Italyá Latviaá Lithuaniaá Luxembourgá Maltaá Netherlandsá Norwayá Polandá Portugalá Romaniaá Serbiaá Slovakiaá Sloveniaá Spainá Swedená Switzerlandá Turkey and United Kingdomä
EUROPEAN COMMITTEE FOR STANDARDIZATION COMITÉ EUROPÉEN DE NORMALISATION EUROPÄISCHES KOMITEE FÜR NORMUNG
CEN-CENELEC Management Centre:
Avenue Marnix 17,
B-1000 Brussels
t r s y CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
v u zæ {ã t r s y ESIST EN 438-9:2018

Contents Page
European foreword . 3 1 Scope . 5 2 Normative references . 5 3 Terms, definitions, symbols and abbreviations . 5 3.1 TERMS AND DEFINITIONS . 5 3.2 SYMBOLS . 6 4 Material types and classification system . 6 5 Requirements . 7 5.1 COMPLIANCE . 7 5.2 INSPECTION REQUIREMENTS . 7 5.3 DIMENSIONAL TOLERANCE REQUIREMENTS . 8 5.4 TEST REQUIREMENTS . 11 Annex A (informative) Information on reaction to fire . 15 Bibliography . 16
corrected; — for the Resistance to immersion in boiling water, the Appearance has been improved for the Laminate grades; — the Tesile strength, has been deleted to be in line with EN 438-4:2016; — in Table 6, for the Resistance to crazing, the Appearance of the Laminate grade has been corrected. EN 438, High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) — Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates), consists of the following parts: — Part 1: Introduction and general information — Part 2: Determination of properties — Part 3: Classification and specifications for laminates less than 2 mm thick intended for bonding to supporting substrates — Part 4: Classification and specifications for compact laminates of thickness 2 mm and greater — Part 5: Classification and specifications for flooring grade laminates less than 2 mm thick intended for bonding to supporting substrates — Part 6: Classification and specifications for exterior-grade Compact laminates of thickness 2 mm and greater — Part 7: Compact laminate and HPL composite panels for internal and external wall and ceiling finishes — Part 8: Classification and specifications for design laminates — Part 9: Classification and specifications for alternative core laminates SIST EN 438-9:2018

Terms and definitions For the purposes of this document, the following terms and definitions apply. 3.1.1 high-pressure decorative alternative core laminate(s) alternative core laminate(s) HPL sheet(s) consisting of decorative surface layer(s) and alternative core layers bonded together by an high pressure process Note 1 to entry: Typical values for the high pressure process are a temperature of
120 °C and a pressure of
5 MPa. 3.1.2 surface layer upper decorative layer consisting in one or more sheets of fibrous material (usually paper) impregnated with aminoplastic thermosetting resins (usually melamine based resins) Note 1 to entry: The surface layers appear on one or both side(s) of the laminate(s). In case of one-sided laminates, the back of the sheet(s) can be made suitable for adhesive bonding to a substrate. SIST EN 438-9:2018

Symbols For the purposes of this document, the following symbol applies. t nominal thickness of the alternative core laminate 4 Material types and classification system Alternative core laminates are defined using a three-letter classification system as shown in Table 1. Table 1 — Alternative core laminate classification system First letter Second letter Third letter B
(Coloured core layer laminate) R
(Metal reinforced core layer laminate) C
(Compact) T
(Thin laminate < 2 mm) S
(Standard grade) or F
(Flame retardant grade) Type S – Standard grade high-pressure decorative alternative core laminates. Type F – High-pressure decorative alternative core laminates with improved fire retardance, similar to type S but also complying with special requirements of specified tests which may vary according to the application (e.g. construction, marine, transport) and the country of use (see 5.4.3). NOTE These types of laminate are normally not postformable. In addition to the abbreviation “HPL” and the number of this European Standard, materials are specified by the alphabetical classification system. EXAMPLE “Coloured core Standard Grade Thin high-pressure decorative laminate” is designated as
HPL/EN 438–9 BTS. SIST EN 438-9:2018

Compliance Alternative core layer laminates classified in Table 1 shall comply with all appropriate requirements specified in 5.2, 5.3 and 5.4. This applies to both full-size sheets and cut-to-size panels. 5.2
Inspection requirements 5.2.1
General Inspection shall be carried out in accordance with EN 438-2:2016, Clause 4, at a distance between 750 mm and 1 500 mm. 5.2.2
Colour and pattern When inspected in daylight or D65 standard illuminant, as specified in EN ISO 11664-2, and also under tungsten-filament lightning illuminant A as specified in EN ISO 11664-2, a slight difference between the corresponding colour reference sample held by the supplier and the specimen under test is acceptable. When colour and surface finish are critical, it is recommended that sheets are checked for colour and surface-finish compatibility without protective film before fabrication or installation. 5.2.3
Surface finish When inspected at different viewing angles, there shall be no significant difference between the corresponding surface-finish reference sample held by the supplier and the specimen under test. When colour and surface finish are critical, it is recommended that sheets are checked for colour and surface-finish compatibility without protective film before fabrication or installation. 5.2.4
Reverse side The reverse side of single-sided sheets shall be suitable for ad
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