EN 438-3:2016

High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) - Part 3: Classification and specifications for laminates less than 2 mm thick intended for bonding to supporting substrates

This European Standard applies to laminates less than 2 mm thick produced by using an high pressure process, normally intended for bonding to supporting substrates to produce HPL composite panels and establishes a classification system for high-pressure decorative laminates according to their performance and main recommended fields of application, including materials with special characteristics, for example formability or defined reaction to fire. This European Standard also specifies requirements for the properties of the various types of laminates covered by this classification system.
High-pressure decorative laminates are characterised by their qualities, durability and functional performance. HPL sheets are available in a wide variety of colours, patterns and surface finishes; they are resistant to wear, scratching, impact, moisture, heat and staining; and possess good hygienic and anti-static properties, being easy to clean and maintain.
EN 438-2 specifies the methods of test relevant to this European Standard. EN 438-4, EN 438-5, EN 438-6, EN 438-7, EN 438-8 and EN 438-9 are reserved for special types of HPL materials.

Dekorative Hochdruck-Schichtpressstoffplatten (HPL) - Platten auf Basis härtbarer Harze (Schichtpressstoffe) - Teil 3: Klassifizierung und Spezifikationen für Platten mit einer Dicke kleiner als 2 mm, vorgesehen zum Verkleben auf ein Trägermaterial

Diese Europäische Norm gilt für Schichtpressstoffe mit einer Dicke kleiner als 2 mm, die durch ein Hoch-druck¬verfahren hergestellt werden und in der Regel zum Verkleben auf ein Trägermaterial vorgesehen sind, und legt ein Klassifizierungssystem für dekorative Hochdruck Schichtpressstoffplatten (HPL), ein-schließlich Ma¬terialien mit speziellen Eigenschaften wie Nachformbarkeit oder vorgegebenes Brand¬ver-halten, ent¬sprechend ihrer Beanspruchbarkeit und den hauptsächlich empfohlenen Anwendungsgebieten fest. Diese Euro¬päische Norm legt außerdem die Anforderungen an die Eigenschaften der ver¬schiedenen Schicht¬¬press¬stoffarten, bezogen auf dieses Klassifizierungssystem, fest.
Die dekorativen Hochdruck Schichtpressstoffplatten sind charakterisiert durch Qualität, Dauer¬ge¬brauchs-tauglichkeit und Beanspruchbarkeit. HPL Platten sind in einer Vielzahl von Farben, Mustern und Ober-flächenstrukturen verfügbar; sie sind widerstandsfähig gegen Abrieb, Verkratzen, Stoß, Feuchte, Hitze und Flecken¬bildung, besitzen gute hygienische und antistatische Eigenschaften und sind leicht zu reinigen und zu pflegen.
In EN 438 2 sind die für diese Europäischen Norm zutreffenden Prüfverfahren festgelegt. EN 438 4, EN 438 5, EN 438 6, prEN 438 7, EN 438 8 und EN 438 9 sind für besondere Typen von HPL Materialien vorgesehen.

Stratifiés décoratifs haute pression (HPL) - Plaques à base de résines thermodurcissables (communément appelées stratifiés) - Partie 3: Classification et spécifications des stratifiés d'épaisseur inférieure à 2 mm destinés à être collés sur des supports

La présente Norme européenne s’applique aux stratifiés d’épaisseur inférieure à 2 mm produits par un procédé haute pression, destinés à être collés sur des supports pour constituer des panneaux composites HPL et établit un système de classification pour les stratifiés décoratifs haute pression selon leur performance et les principaux domaines d'application préconisés, y compris pour des matériaux ayant des caractéristiques particulières, par exemple aptitude au postformage ou réaction au feu définie. La présente Norme européenne spécifie également les exigences relatives aux caractéristiques des divers types de stratifié faisant l’objet de cette classification.
Les stratifiés décoratifs haute pression se caractérisent par leurs qualités, leur durabilité et leur performance fonctionnelle. Les stratifiés HPL sont disponibles dans une grande diversité de couleurs, motifs et finitions de surface ; ils sont résistants à l'usure, à la rayure, au choc, à l'humidité, à la chaleur et aux taches et possèdent de bonnes caractéristiques hygiéniques et anti-statiques, tout en étant faciles à nettoyer et à entretenir.
L’EN 438 2, prescrit les méthodes d’essai correspondant à la présente Norme européenne. Les EN 438-4, EN 438-5, EN 438-6, EN 438-7, EN 438-8 et EN 438-9 traitent de types particuliers de stratifiés HPL.

Dekorativni visokotlačni laminati (HPL) - Plošče na osnovi duromernih smol - 3. del: Razvrstitev in specifikacije za manj kot 2 mm debele laminate, namenjene za vezavo na nosilne materiale

Ta evropski standard se uporablja za laminate z debelino manj kot 2 mm, ki so izdelani z visokotlačnim postopkom in običajno namenjeni za vezavo na nosilne materiale za proizvodnjo vezanih plošč iz dekorativnih visokotlačnih laminatov, ter določa sistem razvrstitve za dekorativne visokotlačne laminate v skladu z njihovo učinkovitostjo in glavnimi priporočenimi področji uporabe, vključno z materiali s posebnimi lastnostmi, kot je oblikovalnost ali določen odziv na ogenj. Ta evropski standard določa tudi zahteve za lastnosti različnih vrst laminatov, ki jih vključuje ta sistem razvrstitve.
Za dekorativne visokotlačne laminate so značilne kakovostne, trajnostne in funkcionalne lastnosti. Dekorativne visokotlačne laminatne plošče so na voljo v številnih barvah ter s številnimi vzorci in premazi, odporne so na vodo, praske, udarce, toploto in madeže ter imajo dobre higienske in antistatične lastnosti, zaradi česar so preproste za čiščenje in vzdrževanje. EN 438-2 določa preskusne metode, ustrezne za ta standard. EN 438-4, EN 438-5, EN 438-6, EN 438-7, EN 438-8 in EN 438-9 se uporabljajo le za posebne vrste materialov za dekorativne visokotlačne laminate.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Publication Date: 16-Feb-2016
• 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: 9093 - Decision to confirm - Review Enquiry
• Start Date: 03-Sep-2021
• Completion Date: 14-Apr-2025
• Ref Project: SIST EN 438-3:2016 - High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (Usually called Laminates) - Part 3: Classification and specifications for laminates less than 2 mm thick intended for bonding to supporting substrates

Relations

• Replaces: EN 438-3:2005 - High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (Usually called Laminates) - Part 3: Classification and specifications for laminates less than 2 mm thick intended for bonding to supporting substrates
• Effective Date: 12-Sep-2012

Overview - EN 438-3:2016 (HPL < 2 mm)

EN 438-3:2016 is the CEN European standard that defines classification and specifications for high‑pressure decorative laminates (HPL) less than 2 mm thick intended to be bonded to supporting substrates to form HPL composite panels. It sets performance categories, minimum property requirements and inspection criteria for decorative HPL sheets produced by the high‑pressure process, including special types (postformable and flame‑retardant).

Key topics and technical requirements

• Material types: Type S (standard), Type P (postformable) and Type F (flame‑retardant).
• Classification systems:
  • Numerical: letter for type + three index numbers for wear, impact and scratch resistance (indices 2, 3, 4 common).
  • Alphabetical: three‑letter codes (e.g., HGP = horizontal general‑purpose postformable).
• Nomenclature examples: HPL/EN 438-3/P333 or HPL/EN 438-3/HGP.
• Inspection & visual quality: inspection distance 750–1500 mm; allowances for slight colour differences under D65 and Illuminant A; surface defect limits given as maximum contamination area/length per m².
• Surface finish & gloss tolerances (EN 13722):

  • 70 GU: ±15 GU

  • 30–70 GU: ±10 GU
  • 10–30 GU: ±5 GU
  • <10 GU: ±3 GU
• Reverse side: must be suitable for adhesive bonding (sanded or otherwise prepared).
• Test & dimensional requirements: property tests are specified in EN 438-2:2016 (determination of properties); fire‑reaction requirements reference EN 13501‑1 and Annex A for fire performance considerations.
• Supplemental properties: special characteristics such as formability or defined reaction to fire may be specified.

Practical applications and who uses this standard

• Typical applications: bonded HPL composite panels for countertops, kitchen and bathroom furniture fronts, interior wall and ceiling panels, shelving, doors, and transport interiors (rail/ship/interiors).
• Primary users:
  • HPL manufacturers and product engineers for product classification and quality control
  • Panel fabricators and laminators specifying laminate type and surface finish
  • Architects, interior designers and specifiers selecting HPL for functional or aesthetic performance
  • Test laboratories and conformity assessors applying EN 438-2 test methods
  • Procurement and compliance teams ensuring material meets fire, wear and bonding requirements

Related standards

• EN 438-2:2016 - Determination of properties (test methods)
• EN 13501-1 - Reaction to fire classification
• EN 13722 - Surface gloss assessment
• EN ISO 1183-1, EN ISO 11664-2, EN 61340-4-1 - referenced test and measurement standards
• EN 438 parts 4–9 - reserved/classifications for other HPL types (compact, flooring, exterior, design, alternative cores)

EN 438-3:2016 helps ensure consistent performance, clear product description and reliable selection of thin HPL sheets for bonded panel systems in commercial and residential interiors.

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 3: Klassifizierung und Spezifikationen für Schichtpressstoffe mit einer Dicke kleiner als 2 mm, vorgesehen zum Verkleben auf ein TrägermaterialStratifiés décoratifs haute pression (HPL) - Plaques à base de résines thermodurcissables (communément appelées stratifiés) - Partie 3: Classification et spécifications des stratifiés d'épaisseur inférieure à 2 mm destinés à être collés sur des supportsHigh-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (Usually called Laminates) - Part 3: Classification and specifications for laminates less than 2 mm thick intended for bonding to supporting substrates83.140.20Laminated sheetsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 438-3:2016SIST EN 438-3:2016en,fr,de01-april-2016SIST EN 438-3:2016SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 438-3:20051DGRPHãþD

EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 438-3
February
t r s x ICS
z uä s v rä t r Supersedes EN
v u zæ uã t r r wEnglish Version
Classification and specifications for laminates less than
t mm thick intended for bonding to supporting substrates spécifications des stratifiés d 5épaisseur inférieure à
t mm destinés à être collés sur des supports æ Teil
uã Klassifizierung und Spezifikationen für Platten mit einer Dicke kleiner als
t mmá vorgesehen zum Verkleben auf ein Trägermaterial This European Standard was approved by CEN on
s u December
t r s wä
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 Slovakiaá Sloveniaá Spainá Swedená Switzerlandá Turkey andUnited 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 x CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
v u zæ uã t r s x ESIST EN 438-3:2016

Addendum to sub-clause 6.4.3, relating to fire performance . 14 Bibliography . 16
·
s t r
¹C and a pressure of
·
w MPaä SIST EN 438-3:2016
·
w r
·
s w r
·
u w r Small Diameter Ball (N) Second Index Number - Impact Resistance a 2 3 4
·
s w
·
t r
·
t w Scratch Resistance (Rating) Third Index Number - Scratch Resistance a 2 3 4 2 3 4 a Index numbers 2, 3, and 4 are specified to maintain consistency with EN 438:1991. Index number 1 represents a lower quality level that applies only for HPL Type VG (Table 2) with smooth finishes. 5.3 Alphabetical classification system This system uses three letters to classify laminates as shown in Table 2. Table 2 — Alphabetical classification First letter Second letter Third letter H (horizontal grade) or V (vertical grade) G (general purpose) or D (heavy duty) S (standard grade) or P (postformable grade) or F (flame-retardant grade) Table 3 compares the alternative classification systems and shows
...