Paper-based composite

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Contents 1 Material analysis 1.1 Traditional uses 1.2 Emerging uses / trends 1.3 Finish and aesthetic qualities 1.4 Surface forms / shapes 1.5 Cost analysis 2 Material properties 2.1 Primary structural use 2.2 Material performance 2.3 Acoustic property 2.4 Manufacturing process and assembly 3 Environmental impact 3.1 LEED 4 Life Safety & Rating Standards 4.1 Flammability rating 4.2 Maintenance 5 References 5.1 Student contributions 6 See also 6.1 Similar materials 7 External links 7.1 Additional resources 7.2 Leading manufacturers

Material analysis

MasterFormat Number: 00 00 00

Traditional uses

• Aerospace Industry for tooling
• Marine Industry for fiberglass reinforcement
• Action sports Industry for outdoor skate ramp surfaces

Emerging uses / trends

• Commercial and residential counter tops
• Beyond counter tops, it is a popular surface material for wall caps, stair treads and work surfaces

Finish and aesthetic qualities

• Specified by architects for a variety of projects from modern buildings to country kitchens and Asian-influenced designs
• Can have a matte finish that brings a warm soft ambience to a room that rarely achieved through stone or solid surfaces.
• Due to its strong fibers, it is able to span wide surfaces without seams
• Can come in a variety of colors to suit any design style

Surface forms / shapes

• Three quarter inch to one and a half inch thick sheets up to five feet wide and twelve feet long. In addition, thinner backsplash material is available.
• Can shape extravagant edges and route artistic features like drain channels directly in the material.
• Faux edges hide the true thickness of many stone and solid surface products. It is designed to look beautiful without a built up edge. It’s more economical and looks better to install a thick sheet with a nice routed edge than to seam it with a faux edge.

Cost analysis

• Depending on color, it is $110 sq. ft. including installation

Material properties

Primary structural use

• Used mainly for counter top applications

Material performance

• Fire Rating: fire-test evaluation demonstrated a flame spread index of 30 and smoke developed index of 30.
• Specific Gravity: The specific gravity is 1.213, which means that is it 21% heavier than water by volume
• Dense Value: The density is 75.84 pounds per cubic foot or .0439 pounds per cubic inch

Acoustic property

• Composed of layers of natural fibers, it has the potential to have a high acoustic value

Manufacturing process and assembly

• The paper is made from pulp that is derived from trees which is produced from paper purchased from FSC-Certified sources and/or recycled paper
• Primarily paper treated with phenolic resin and baked to create a solid sheet.
• During the production cycle the layers of paper are gradually cross-linked with each other to create solid, durable sheets.
• Once the curing process is complete, the structure of the product is permanent and cannot be altered.

Environmental impact

• “Green” Product: Classified green in large part because of the predominate raw material is derived from renewable or recycled resources. Managed and sustainable forests, habitat conservation efforts, along with prudent manufacturing practices are just some of the environmental mandates that go into the product.
• Paper based composite is produced using the most environmentally benign production methods and materials available. During the saturation and drying process, over 99% of the volatile organic compounds are incinterated. The heat from that incineration is used for they drying process to minimize thermal pollution. There is no hazardous waste generated in the process.
• It does not off gas because the compounds inside it chemically cross link during the manufacturing process and are locked into the solid surface creating a homogeneous material.

LEED

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Life Safety & Rating Standards

Flammability rating

• fire-test evaluation demonstrated a flame spread index of 30 and smoke developed index of 30.

Maintenance

• Stain resistant: As with most material, there is potential for some staining, particularly from red wines, juices, and mustards when left in contact for prolonged periods of time

• Most spills and light stains may be cleaned with soap and warm water and scrubbed with a soft bristle brush.

• More stubborn stains may be repaired by a light refinishing of the material

• Scratch Resistant: It is significantly harder than wood.

• Durability: It’s been used for industrial and marine purposes and as a skate park surface for years, so it’s extremely durable

• Heat Resistance: Its heat resistant up to 350 degrees. Due to its high heat resistance the material does not need additional protection near the stove though a trivet or hot pad is recommended to ensure no damage will be causes by exceedingly hot pans pulled directly out of the oven

• Sanitary: Recognized for its sanitary performance appreciated by chefs in the home and in high profile commercial kitchens. It does not support the colonization of bacteria and is food safe

• Over Time: It will darken, it is a cellulose fiber and resin muich like mother natures trees. And similar to certain characteristics of wood material does noticeably darken with age due to ultraviolet exposure and oxidization.

References

• www.richlite.com

Student contributions

• Alison Kowal, Spring 2010
• Emily Condon, Spring 2010

See also

Similar materials

• Paperstone

External links

Additional resources

• edit this entry
• edit this entry

Leading manufacturers

• RichLite