Melamine edgebanding

0,3 - 0,4

Melamine Edgebands are melamine strips in rolls, used to cover the edges of boards made of the same material.

These edgebands are made of resin-impregnated paper that is compacted for durability.

At Cantisa, we offer the following versions of melamine edgebands: single-layer and triple-layer.

Below, you will find more information about both types of melamine edge banding for board edging.

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Single-layer:

Single-layer melamine edgeband is made of a single decorative paper, weighing between 170 and 200 g/m². Its thickness is approximately 0.3 mm.

Manufacturing process

To harden and compact the paper, it is impregnated with aminoplastic resins. In this way, it obtains the characteristics required for its application and machining on edges.

It is then lacquered to give the surface the right appearance and resistance. With the advent of digital printing technologies, we can also offer this type of printing on the single-layer edge.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

For large quantities the price is more competitive. Since it is only one paper and there is no need to do any further processing to attach another one to it.

It has a pleasant feel, is flexible and not brittle.

Disadvantages

The adhesion of a monolayer to hot melt adhesive can be delicate if the impregnation is not well done (over impregnation). Since this paper is not scratched and does not have an adhesive bridge on the back side.

It is very hygroscopic, i.e., the edge easily acquires humidity and becomes soft if the environment is humid. To avoid this, it must be stored under optimal conditions.

Three-layer

It is a laminate composed of three papers and with a thickness between 0.30 and 0.33 mm:

Decorative: 70-90 grams/m2. It is the same as that used for the manufacture of melamine board.
Parchment: this is a kraft type paper that is placed between the two papers that make up the three-layer melamine. It serves as a compensator and as a linking role for the other two.
Kraft: Kraft paper that is sanded on the back for better adhesion.

Manufacturing process

The outer paper is made from the same paper that melamine boards are made from.

Moreover, with the same type of impregnation. This makes the appearance and strength of the edge identical to that of the board surface. We manufacture this edge in two versions: straight edge (standard sample book) and softforming (on request, with radii of 3mm or more).

How is it manufactured?

1 – The three papers are impregnated each with its appropriate impregnation.

2 – The three paper reels are placed in a press and temperature and strong pressure are applied. This three-layer sandwich is “melaminized”, leaving the papers tightly bonded together without the need for glue. The same resins used to impregnate the papers react with heat and pressure to bind them together.

3 – To apply some engraving or gloss, when passing the three papers through the press, a fourth paper is placed on top. This release paper already bears this engraving and copies it onto the decorative paper.

4 – The back side (Kraft) is sanded so that the laminate adheres to the hot melt glues of the edgebanders.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Advantages

The same paper used to make the board is used for the edge. There is no need to worry about manufacturing additional paper. It does not copy the irregularities of the agglomerate because it is very hard. In other words, it does not “telegraph” the defects in the bond.

Its behavior is practically unchanged in cold or heat. It is practically unaffected by humidity, since it has been “closed” in the melamine process. The identity or resemblance of this edge with that of the surface is total in all aspects. This is because it has been subjected to practically the same temperature and pressure processes as the board and, in addition, it is the same paper.

If the edge banding units of the edgebander (the ones that flush the edge to the board) work perfectly, the three-layer melamine is ideal. It is ideal in the sense that there is no “fuzziness” or “burr” because it is very hard and the three layers are very well bonded.

As for its adhesion, it is very good since its last layer is sanded.

Disadvantages

It is very rigid and brittle, which makes its handling more delicate. When a board has already been veneered on the edges and receives a blow, this edge can crack and splinter. Normally, manufacturers well prepared in machinery and with high productions use it without problems. But smaller manufacturers with less means have more problems of utilization.

The installation to manufacture it is extremely costly. In general, it is more expensive, both because of the expensive machinery that produces it and because of its composition and process: three papers and, in addition, sanding. If the last sanding process is over-sanded, the edge will be very thin and brittle.