Laminated Paper

Lamination refers to the bonding of two or more surfaces to enhance the quality, design or durability of fixtures. Lamination paper is the paper used to laminate fiberboards or particleboards used in furniture, decorative panels, flooring, displays, boxes, kitchen cabinets, wall panels, partitions, and so on.

Properties of laminated paper
To verify the quality and usability of lamination paper, the following terms need to be understood:

• Absorbency: capacity to absorb or soak a liquid (adhesive)
• Grammage: measure of paper in mass per unit area
• Kappa: measure of the bleachability of the wood used
• Ply: layer of paper
• Porosity: capacity to absorb a fluid
• Uniformity: property of unvarying regularity

How does lamination work?
Lamination involves the bonding of multiple surfaces, where each layer has its own function. The base is typically particleboard or fiberboard such as HDF (High Density Fiberboard) or MDF (Medium Density Fiberboard). This is overlaid by one or more layers of kraft paper. Sometimes, the laminating kraft is lined at the underside to negate the tension created by laminating the top side. The topmost lamination paper is the décor paper. The décor paper creates the main look of the ensemble. This is covered with an overlay. The layers of lamination paper are impregnated with an inactive resin such as melamine to form a hard cover with the paper. Heat and pressure are applied for a stronger bond.

Types of lamination paper
Lamination papers are of the following types:

Absorbent kraft paper
This is ordinary kraft paper with a high degree of porosity. Absorbent kraft lamination paper is made out of low kappa hardwood of good uniformity. The grammage is 80-120 grams per square centimeter. Usually, 2-4 plies of paper will be used for lamination.

Phenolic paper laminates
These laminated sheets are made of electric insulating kraft paper impregnated with phenolic resin binder by applying appropriate heat and pressure. It is popular in industrial applications.

Laminating kraft
This lamination paper is a smooth and dense kraft paper with grammage of 100-150 grams per square centimeter.

Décor paper
Décor paper is the topmost decorative or printed lamination paper that defines the look of the core being laminated. The cellulose and resin used to bond the paper with the surface have the same refractive index as the cellulose fibers of the décor paper due to which only the design on the paper is visible. Décor paper obviously needs to be of top notch quality. It is manufactured in small paper machines and has grammage 70-150 grams per square centimeter.

Décor papers range from authentic wood and stone reproductions to individually designed decors.

Overlay lamination paper
The overlay is made of pure cellulose and becomes totally transparent after saturation with melamine or some other adhesive, thereby allowing the décor paper to show through. The overlay also makes the core more durable.

Traditionally, lamination papers have been usually used for flat surfaces. However, with the advancement in panel surface characteristics, lamination papers are being produced to allow highly detailed profile wrapping.