MATERIALS SCIENCE APPROACH TO PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT IN DECORATIVE SURFACES

Postforming grade, high-pressure decorative laminate is used as a case study to discuss how current material science techniques may be used to enhance the understanding of existing products and contribute to pr oduct and process improvements. Thermal analysis techniques were used to evaluate the impact of temperature and heating rate on the mechanic al performance of the subject laminate systems. Dynamic mechanical ana lysis were particularly useful in defining the conditions for optimal postforming. Trials were performed on a stationary postforming machine to support these efforts.