LPL for Furniture

L.P.L. (Low Pressure Laminate) panel is an engineering product. It is made from the melamine paper (deco paper impregnated with the melamine resin) that is pressed at the M.D.F., particle board, or pywood. A panel of M.D.F., plywood, or particle board is needed as a base for the resin and paper. The layers are pressed with a pressure of about 20 to 30 bars (about 290 to 435 psi) at temperatures of 335 to 375 degrees Fahrenheit for about 50 seconds. After the reaction is completed, a panel with plastic resin at the top results. The materials used, the panel, and the result are about the same process with H.P.L., but lower pressure and temperature are needed. (see our previous article : H.P.L. for furniture).  That may be the reason why it is called L.P.L. (low pressure laminated).

It is very similar to H.P.L. in the looks and properties. It is strong and highly resistant to heat, scratches, and chemicals. Although it is made from melamine resin, it is quite safe for household purposes. With the good-quality resin used, it will not release any hazard or toxic materials after its reaction has completed. Actually, its free toxic is slightly less compared with the H.P.L., but it is quite safe to be used as furniture and household products. The decorative paper is used to make the panel look and color. Many models of wood grain and pores look and can be made, as well as the paint finish with any color. The special finishes, such as metallic, pearl, silver, or gold, can also be made.

If the H.P.L. is marketed in a thin layer (with a thickness of about 1 mm), the L.P.L. is already in the form of a panel with decorative looks at the top. The thickness of the L.P.L. is dependent on the thickness of the panel (usually m.d.f. or particle board) used as a base at the manufacturing process. To make the L.P.L. panel, we do need to glue the layer at the thick flat panel (bare core, particle, plywood, or M.D.F.) as the H.P.L. panel. The panels already consist of the particle or M.D.F. board at the bottom. The L.P.L. panel can be directly cut and used to make any product. 

Normally the L.P.L. panels are cheaper compared with H.P.L. The exact size of the panel's thickness can be directly used. The laminating and gluing process is no longer needed. The problem is about the minimum amount of panel to be economical in the production batch. If necessary, we can laminate the L.P.L. panel with the other flat panels, particle board, or plywood bare core to make a a panel with a higher thickness.

L.P.L. panel is used as a substitution for wood panel in a wide range of furniture products and household products. L.P.L. panels have advantages because they are strong and resistant to heat, scratches, chemicals, and solvents. With the selection of the decorative paper used, a variety of models, colors, and looks can be produced without any finishing process. As an engineering product, it also has stable properties and is relatively uniform, controllable, and measurable compared with the wood panel.

 

LPL table

L.P.L. is a lot used to make furniture products with simple form and model. Contemporary furniture, office furniture, simple tables, cabinets, and kitchen sets can be made with the L.P.L. The knockdown furniture models that are produced in large amounts are the suitable product for the L.P.L. With the proper manufacturing process, the production process can be set up with less people power but relying on the machinery. With the proper arrangement, then a high-speed and efficient production process can be made, and a less expensive product results.