SIST EN 438-8:2019

High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) - Part 8: Classification and specifications for design laminates

This document specifies performance requirements for design laminates intended for interior use with a design effect surface having a phenolic based core and a decorative surface, not covered by EN 438-3 [1], EN 438-4 [2], EN 438-5 [3] and EN 438-6 [4]. Three surface layer types (metal, wood veneer and pearlescent decor) 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 8: Klassifizierung und Spezifikationen für Design-Schichtpressstoffe

Dieses Dokument legt die Leistungsanforderungen an dekorative Schichtpressstoffplatten mit Design-effektoberfläche fest, die für Anwendungen im Innenbereich vorgesehen sind und einen Kern auf Phenol-harzbasis und eine dekorative Oberfläche aufweisen, die in EN 438-3 [1], EN 438-4 [2], EN 438-5 [3] und EN 438-6 [4] nicht abgedeckt sind. In diesem Teil von EN 438 sind drei Oberflächentypen (Metall, Holzfurnier und Perlglanzdekor) festgelegt.
In EN 438-2 sind die Prüfverfahren festgelegt, die für diesen Teil von EN 438 von Bedeutung sind.

Stratifiés décoratifs haute pression (HPL) - Plaques à base de résines thermodurcissables (communément appelées stratifiés) - Partie 8 : Classification et spécifications relatives aux stratifiés à effets de surface spéciaux

Le présent document spécifie les exigences de performance s’appliquant aux stratifiés décoratifs pour usage en intérieur, à effets de surface spéciaux, avec une âme phénolique et une face décorative, ne relevant pas des normes EN 438-3 [1], EN 438-4 [2], EN 438 5 [3] et EN 438-6 [5]. Trois types de couches de surface (métallique, placage bois et décor perlescent) sont définis dans la présente partie de l’EN 438.
L’EN 438-2 spécifie les méthodes d’essai correspondant à la présente partie de l’EN 438.

Dekorativni visokotlačni laminati (HPL) - Plošče na osnovi duromernih smol (laminati) - 8. del: Razvrstitev in specifikacije laminatov s posebnimi vzorci

Ta evropski standard določa zahteve glede zmogljivosti za laminate s posebnimi vzorci, ki so namenjeni uporabi v notranjih prostorih na površini z vzorcem iz jedra na osnovi fenola in dekorativni površini, ki ni zajeta v standardih EN 438 3 [1], EN 438 4 [2], EN 438 5 [3] in EN 438 6 [5]. V tem delu standarda EN 438 so opredeljene tri vrste površinskih plasti (kovina, furnir in biserni dekor).
Standard EN 438 2 določa preskusne metode, ki se nanašajo na ta del standarda EN 438.

General Information

• Status: Published
• Public Enquiry End Date: 22-Nov-2017
• Publication Date: 09-Dec-2018
• ICS: 83.140.20 - Laminated sheets
• Technical Committee: IPMA - Polimer materials and products
• Current Stage: 6060 - National Implementation/Publication (Adopted Project)
• Start Date: 29-Nov-2018
• Due Date: 03-Feb-2019
• Completion Date: 10-Dec-2018
• Ref Project: EN 438-8:2018 - High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) - Part 8: Classification and specifications for design laminates

Relations

• Replaces: SIST EN 438-8:2009 - High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (Usually called Laminates) - Part 8: Classification and specifications for design laminates
• Effective Date: 28-Nov-2018
• Revised: SIST EN 438-8:2009 - High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (Usually called Laminates) - Part 8: Classification and specifications for design laminates
• Effective Date: 15-Jun-2016

Overview

EN 438-8:2018 is the CEN standard that specifies classification and performance requirements for high‑pressure decorative design laminates (HPL) intended for interior use. It covers HPL sheets with a phenolic core and special decorative surface effects not addressed in other EN 438 parts - specifically pearlescent, metal and wood‑veneer surface layers. Test methods referenced for property determination are given in EN 438‑2.

Keywords: EN 438-8:2018, HPL, design laminates, high-pressure decorative laminates, pearlescent laminate, metal laminate, wood veneer laminate.

Key topics and requirements

• Scope & types: Defines three design laminate types - pearlescent (A), metal (M) and wood veneer (W) - and a three‑letter classification code (e.g., HPL/EN 438‑8 ATS).
• Classification system: Includes modifiers for construction and performance (Compact C, Thin T, Postformable P, Standard S, Flame‑retardant F).
• Inspection & visual criteria:
  • Visual inspection distance: 750–1 500 mm (per EN 438‑2).
  • Colour checks under daylight (D65) and tungsten‑filament (A) illuminants; small differences to supplier reference samples are acceptable.
  • Permissible surface defects quantified (e.g., contamination area and length limits) and edge quality rules (defect‑free length allowance).
  • Reverse side of one‑sided sheets must be suitable for adhesive bonding (sanded backs permitted with slight chatter marks).
• Dimensional tolerances:
  • Thickness tolerances depend on nominal thickness (examples: thin pearlescent laminates - for t = 0.5 mm nominal; for t = 1.0 mm maximum ±0.10 mm; compact laminates have larger permitted variations as thickness increases).
  • Flatness, length/width, straightness and squareness have specified maximum deviations; cut‑to‑size tolerances may be agreed between supplier and purchaser.
• Performance tests: Test requirements and methods are referenced to EN 438‑2 and include flexural properties, density, reaction‑to‑fire considerations and other relevant determinations.
• Application guidance: The standard notes that pearlescent and metal laminates have reduced scratch/wear resistance and are generally recommended for vertical interior applications. Wood veneer laminates are natural‑product dependent; knots/resin inclusions are normal.

Practical applications

EN 438‑8:2018 is used to:

• Specify and procure HPL design laminates for interior architectural finishes (feature walls, furniture cladding, decorative panels).
• Provide acceptance criteria for incoming inspection and production quality control.
• Inform fabrication and installation (orientation of directional finishes, bonding surface requirements).
• Support lab testing and conformity assessment against defined tolerances and inspection procedures.

Who benefits: manufacturers, fabricators, architects, interior designers, specifiers, testing laboratories, procurement teams and building product certifiers.

Related standards

• EN 438‑2:2016 - Determination of properties (test methods referenced throughout EN 438‑8)
• Other EN 438 parts for standard HPL types: EN 438‑1, ‑3, ‑4, ‑5, ‑6, ‑7, ‑9
• EN ISO 178 and EN ISO 1183‑1 referenced for flexural properties and density determination

Use EN 438‑8:2018 when you need clear, standardized acceptance criteria and classification for decorative HPL sheets with special surface effects in interior design projects.

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 8: Klassifizierung und Spezifikationen für Design-SchichtpressstoffeStratifiés décoratifs haute pression (HPL) - Plaques à base de résines thermodurcissables (communément appelées stratifiés) - Partie 8 : Classification et spécifications relatives aux stratifiés à effets de surface spéciauxHigh-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) - Sheets based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates) - Part 8: Classification and specifications for design laminates83.140.20Laminated sheetsICS:Ta slovenski standard je istoveten z:EN 438-8:2018SIST EN 438-8:2019en,fr,de01-januar-2019SIST EN 438-8:2019SLOVENSKI
STANDARDSIST EN 438-8:20091DGRPHãþD

EUROPEAN STANDARD NORME EUROPÉENNE EUROPÄISCHE NORM
EN 438-8
November
t r s z ICS
z uä s v rä t r Supersedes EN
v u zæ zã t r r {English Version
Classification and specifications for design laminates spécifications relatives aux stratifiés à effets de surface spéciaux æ Teil
zã Klassifizierung und Spezifikationen für DesignæSchichtpressstoffe This European Standard was approved by CEN on
t z September
t r s zä
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:
Rue de la Science 23,
B-1040 Brussels
t r s z CEN All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved worldwide for CEN national Membersä Refä Noä EN
v u zæ zã t r s z ESIST EN 438-8:2019

Information on reaction to fire . 18 Bibliography. 19
IEC Electropedia: available at http://www.electropedia.org/
ISO Online browsing platform: available at http://www.iso.org/obp
3.1.1 high-pressure decorative design laminate design laminate HPL sheet consisting of decorative design surface layer(s) and 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). They are not necessarily treated with thermosetting resin. In case of one-sided laminates, the back of the sheet(s) can be made suitable for adhesive bonding to a substrate. SIST EN 438-8:2019

3.1.3.1 pearlescent laminate design laminate, the surface layer of which consists of a pearlescent effect decorative paper, which is impregnated with aminoplastic thermosetting resins (usually melamine based resins) Note 1 to entry: To achieve the optimum aesthetic effect from the pearlescent pigment a protective melamine layer is not used. Note 2 to entry: As a result some surface properties are reduced (e.g. scratch, wear), therefore it is recommended that these products are used for vertical applications. 3.1.3.2 metal laminate design laminate, the surface layer of which consists of a thin layer of metal Note 1 to entry: Example: aluminium, steel or copper. Note 2 to entry: It is often protected by a thin layer of lacquer or in the case of aluminium the surface can be anodized. The surface performance and appearance of these metal laminates is equivalent to that of thin metal sheet. Note 3 to entry: As some surface properties are lower than that of melamine (e.g. scratch and wear), it is recommended that these products are used for vertical applications. 3.1.3.3 wood veneer laminate design laminate, the surface layer of which consists of a wood veneer, which is covered by a protective melamine layer Note 1 to entry: The surface appearance of these wood veneer laminates is similar to wood. Note 2 to entry: Wood veneer laminates are not normally available in postforming grade. 3.1.4 core layer fibrous materials (usually paper) impregnated with thermosetting resins (usually phenolic based resins) 3.2 Symbols For the purposes of this document, the following symbol applies. t nominal thickness of the design laminate 4 Material types and classification system High-pressure decorative design laminate is defined using a three letter classification system as shown in Table 1. SIST EN 438-8:2019

or F (Flameretardant grade) Type S – Standard grade high-pressure decorative design laminate. Type P – Postformable high-pressure decorative design laminate, similar to type S but can also be formed at elevated temperature. Type F – High-pressure decorative design laminate with improved fire retardance similar to type S or P 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 5.4.5). In addition to the abbreviation “HPL” and the number of this European Standard, materials shall be specified by the alphabetical classification system. EXAMPLE “Pearlescent Standard Grade Thin high-pressure decorative design laminate” is designated as HPL/EN 438-8 ATS. 5 Requirements 5.1 Compliance High-pressure decorative design laminate 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, pattern and surface finish 5.2.2.1 Pearlescent 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. As 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. Some of these products are directional in surface finish or colour and they shall be installed in the correct orientation. 5.2.2.2 Metal 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. As 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. SIST EN 438-8:2019
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