Performance Testing of High Pressure Decorative Paper Laminates - Nema Ld 3 (2000), 2002 Decorative and Industrial Laminates Symposium

High pressure decorative paper laminates (HPDL) are used in a variety of decorative surfacing applications. The performance characteristics of the decorative surface may need to be evaluated for suitability for a particular application or for quality assurance. The ANSI approved NEMA LD 3 (2000) standard provides test protocols for evaluating the initial appearance of HPDL sheets, resistance to change in appearance caused by typical use, and dimensional change due to changes in humidity. The current revision of NEMA LD 3 improves on the evaluation of test results and minimizes differences in sample size between different tests, improving the reproducibility of the results and reducing sample preparation. The standardization of test protocols and evaluation methods provides a common basis for discussing and comparing the performance of HPDL surfaces.