Formica Corporation

Calvin Richardson

Ram S Raghava

Paul W White

John J Park

Decorative laminate having improved resistance against marring, abrasion, staining and crocking, and method for the preparation thereof, the laminate comprising a substrate and a decorative sheet, the decorative sheet having on the exposed surface a layer consisting essentially of a thermoset resin, substantially fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol, fumed amorphous silica, and particulate abrasive material having a hardness higher than that of silica. Abrasion resistance greater than 3000 cycles (NEMA Wear) by the NEMA test LD 3-3.01 is obtained in combination with improved mar resistance.

Damage resistant decorative laminate

A process for preparing a fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol modified melamine-formaldehyde resin useful in decorative laminates is disclosed. The process comprises reacting melamine, formaldehyde, and fully hydrolyzed polyvinyl alcohol at 80.degree.-90.degree. C. until the reaction product has a water tolerance of about 300% to 1000% in 5.degree. C. water. The mole ratio of melamine to formaldehyde is from about 1:1.5 to about 1:1.8, respectively.

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Cincinnati, OH, United States of America

Calvin Richardson