Product Handling

Processing
• Can be worked with carbide tipped tools on conventional woodworking machines.
• All recommendations that apply to working normal Duropal HPL products should also be noted and followed for Duropal SolidColor.
• Internal recesses and cutouts: Pfleiderer does not accept any liability in case of damage, for example, cracks that occur in Duropal SolidColor boards due to internal recesses. If internal recesses are nonetheless required in special cases due the type of working, the following instructions must be followed carefully to minimise the risk of cracking.
• Burrs can be removed in the usual way using carbide tipper taper or square cutters.
• Larger chamfers (45°) can be created at the crown Point.
• It must be noted that wide chamfers, for visual reasons alone, require time-consuming fine machining work. The miller/cutter motors must be dimensioned accordingly. Cutting tools with hard metal/carbide tips and high true-running are required to prevent chatter marks. The feed rate must be reduced in corners and cutting point areas, as otherwise these could break out.
• After milling, regrind or polish with grit 200-400 to optimise the surface uniformity.
• As far as we are aware, intensive polishing of the cut edge surface is possible using carnauba-based waxes.

Machines and tools
• Although Duropal SolidColor is somewhat harder and more brittle than conventional Duropal HPL products, there is hardly any increased tool wear during cutting or sawing.
• Hard metal-tipped (preferably diamond-tipped) tools must be sharp, as this is the only way to achieve the best results.

Edging
• Thick and thin edges are suitable.
• EVA and PUR hotmelts are recommended for edge adhesion.
• It is possible to approach Duropal SolidColor edges with an edge banding machine using hot-melt adhesives, but this requires extra care. Here too, sharp carbide tools must be mounted on all milling and trimming equipment to achieve perfect results in the corner areas even with all-round edging (door fronts, etc.).
• To improve adhesion, pre-heat the edges before bonding (edge banding machine with hot air support). Pre-heating ensures that the end temperature is reached in the actual approach phase, which is required to melt the hot-melt adhesive to form a liquid state. This also ensures a thinner and thus less visible glue joint.
• The application temperature should be at least 200° C.
• In order to achieve good results, it is necessary to select the right adhesive and take great care during machining (if the edge is applied beforehand). Hot-melt adhesives and pigmented neoprene may not achieve the required result.

Fitting technology
• All conventional removable and non-removable fittings for solid wood and wood materials are suitable.

Installation and assembly
• Sufficient conditioning is required prior to installation and assembly. The premises themselves need to be at the normal climatic conditions in which the material will later be used.
• Please ensure that the material is processed and fitted correctly and using the best available technology.
• Especially for large applications, we recommend paying attention to the colour and texture uniformity of the boards and cut products used when further processing and installing and that the production direction is taken into account.
• Sufficient conditioning is required prior to installation. The premises themselves need to be air-conditioned according to the future use.
• Where panels are covered with protective films, these must be removed from both sides of the panel at the same time to avoid warping. Remove the protective film before using the product, six months after delivery at the latest.
• The material is not suitable for areas subject to large fluctuations in temperature and humidity.
• Avoid direct exposure to heat and any possible dehydration of the surfaces by light- or heat radiation or by air currents from heating- or air conditioning systems.

Storage, handling and transport
• On level, full area surfaces (e.g. pallets), protected against moisture, in dry, ventilated rooms. Outdoor storage is not suitable.
• Please note that incorrect storage, regardless of its duration, may cause irreversible distortion to the sheets.
• Foreign bodies or impurities in the pallet of sheets can lead to impressions and damage to the surface of the board.
• Ensure that sufficiently large and sturdy bases, e.g. pallets, are used for the transportation of stacked sheets. The sheets on the pallet must be secured against slipping.
• Sheets / boards must not be moved against each other; they should be moved individually by hand or with suction equipment.
• Please note that due to their material composition, through-dyed laminates are somewhat harder and more brittle than classic laminates with dark phenol resin core and are subject to marked warp in the event of climate fluctuations.
• The material must be stored flat, level and horizontal on clean surfaces at normal climatic conditions (Temperature 18–25 °C, relative humidity 50–65 %).
• Avoid storage in the direct vicinity of thoroughfare gates, e.g. in the area of loading and unloading zones.
• Protect from moisture and wet conditions.
• Avoid direct exposure to heat and any possible dehydration of the surfaces by light- or heat radiation or by air currents from heating- or air conditioning systems.
• Avoid exposure to direct sunshine or UV rays, especially of products covered in film.
• Vertical storage is not recommended.

Health and safety
• Please wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) when processing and handling.

Cleaning and care
• The surface can be cleaned with water and non-aggressive cleaning products. For more detailed information, please refer to our “Cleaning recommendation Decorative Pfleiderer products”.
• For further information, please follow the recommendation in the “Cleaning HPL” leaflet on the site www.icdli.com.

Disposal
• We recommend material or energy recovery in approved plants.
• Energy recovery in industrial furnaces at temperatures above 700 °C.