Laminex Alfresco Compact Laminate isan exterior grade compact laminateavailable in both 6 and 13 mm thickness.Laminex Alfresco Compact Laminate in6mm thickness is suitable for verticaluse while 13 mm laminate is suitable forvertical and horizontal uses. LaminexAlfresco Compact Laminate is suitablefor a wide range of outdoor applicationssuch as furniture, table tops, decorativepanelling and outdoor kitchen cabinetry.Laminex Alfresco Compact Laminate isnot recommended for use as façadecladding for buildings or balustrades,railings or swimming pool surrounds.

PROPERTIES Laminex Alfresco Compact Laminate is adecorative panel made for outdoor use.The decorative surfaces use a UV resistantcoating which is integrated into the laminatewhile the black core is comprised ofcellulose fibre and phenolic resin. As with

most surfaces exposed to outdoorconditions, some change in colour andappearance of the surfaces of LaminexAlfresco Compact Laminate will occur afterprolonged exposure. The visual appearanceof the exposed black core may be refreshedas necessary by burnishing. Laminex Alfresco

Compact Laminate is a non-structuralproduct and must be used accordingly.Laminex Alfresco Compact Laminate mustnot be used as a fireplace surround as it is acombustible material. Laminex AlfrescoCompact Laminate adheres to the followingstandards (as below):

Property or attribute Unit Requirement Standard/Test General properties CGS/EDS*Specific gravity (minimum) kg/m3 1350 EN ISO 1183-1Weight 13mm thickness kg/m2 18.5Weight 6mm thickness kg/m2 8.5Dimensional tolerances EN 438-4Length mm ± 5Width mm ± 5Thickness 13mm mm ± 0.60Thickness 6mm mm ± 0.40Flatness 13mm mm/m ≤ 3.0Flatness 6mm mm/m ≤ 5.0Physical propertiesModulus of elasticity MPa ≥ 9000 EN ISO 178Tensile strength MPa ≥ 60 EN ISO 527-2Flexural strength MPa ≥ 80 EN ISO 178Wear resistance Cycles initial 150 EN 438-2:10

Cycles wear value 350 Immersion in boiling water % 2.0 max EN 438-2:12Steam resistance Rating Gloss/Other 3/4 EN 438-2:14Dry heat at 180°C Rating Gloss/Other 3/4 EN 438-2:16Stability at elevated temperature MD % 0.3 max EN 438-2:17Stability at elevated temperature CD % 0.6 max EN 438-2:17Impact resistance 6mm mm 1400 EN 438-2:21Impact resistance 13mm mm 1800 EN 438-2:21Crazing resistance Rating 4 EN 438-2:24Scratch resistance Smooth/Textured IN/2N EN 438-2:25Staining resistance Rating Group 1 & 2 5 EN 438-2:26Staining resistance Rating Group 3 4 EN 438-2:26Light fastness (xenon arc) Grey scale 4 to 5 EN 438-2:27Cigarette burn resistance Rating 3 min EN 438-2:30Wet heat resistance at 100°C Rating Gloss/Other 3/4 EN 12721:1997Other propertiesFormaldehyde level (minimum) mg/h/m2 ≤ 3.5 EN717-2Fire properties (typical values)Fire hazard indices 6, 13mm AS/NZS 1530.3

Ignitability index 11, 9Spread of flame index 9, 9Heat Evolved index 7, 6Smoke Developed index 4, 4

Cone Calorimeter AS/NZS 3837Group number 3Average specific extinction area -13mm m2/kg 97.4Average specific extinction area – 6mm m2/kg 61.9Average heat release rate – 13mm Kw/m2 104Average heat release rate – 6mm Kw/m2 107

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Laminex® Alfresco Compact LaminatesLaminex® Alfresco CompactLaminate is an exterior gradedecorative panelmanufactured under highpressure and temperature.The panels are strong, selfsupporting and durable. Thedistinctive black coreeliminates the need for edgetreatment and serves as astriking design feature.

*CGS: compact grade, general purpose, non-flame retardant. EDS: exterior grade, severe use, non-flame retardant.

PRODUCT CHARACTERISTICSFinish Carbide Fire Resistance Standard Grade Colours 9 Thickness 6, 13 mm Decorated Double SidedCore Black Panel Dimension 3050 x 1300 mmImpact Resistance 13mmStaining Resistance Group 3RatingApplications: Outdoor kitchen cabinetry

including doors and benchtops, outdoor furniture, outdoor table tops, decorative panels, framed door inserts (6mm)

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Weather resistance properties EN438-6Weather resistance requirements are specified in the table below.Weather resistance is the behaviour of Exterior-grade laminates in relation to degradation of the surface, colour fading and reduction of mechanical properties, due to exposureto sunlight, rain, frost, etc.

PropertyTest Method

(EN438-2 Clause No.)Property or Attribute

Unit(Max. or Min.)

Laminate Grade

EDS and EDF

Resistance to Climatic Shock

19AppearanceFlexural strength index DsFlexural modulus index Ds

Rating (min)(min)(min)

40.950.95

Resistance toUV Light

28

Contrast

Appearance

Grey scale rating (not worse than)

Rating (min)

3 (after 1500 hours exposure)

4 (after 1500 hours exposure)

Resistance to artificialweathering (including light fastness)

29

Contrast

Appearance

Grey scale rating (not worse than)

Rating (min)

3 (after 650 MJ/m2

radiant exposure)

4 (after 650 MJ/m2

radiant exposure)

Staining agents & groups EN438-4Staining agents and test conditions t able below.

Staining Agent Test Conditions Contact Time

Group 1*Acetone

Other organic solventsToothpasteHand creamUrineAlcoholic beveragesNatural fruit and vegetable juicesLemonade and fruit juicesMeats and sausagesAnimal and vegetable fats and oilsWaterYeast suspension in waterSalt (NaCl) solutionsMustardLyes, soap solutionsCleaning solution consiting of:• 23% dodecylbenzene sulfonate• 10% alkyl aryl polyglycol ether• 67% water

Commercial disinfectantsStain or paint removers based on organic solventsCitric Acid (10% solution)

Apply staining agent at ambient temperature 16 hours

Group 2 *Coffee (120g of coffee per litre of water)Black (9g of tea per litre of water)Milk (all types) Wine vinegarAlkaline-based cleaning agents (to 10% concentration with water)Hydrogen peroxide (3% solution)Ammonia (10% solution of commercial concentrate)Nail varnishNail varnish removerLipstickWater coloursLaundry marking linksBall point inks

Apply staining agent at approximately 80ºC

Apply staining agent at ambient temperature

16 hours

16 hours

Group 31 *Sodium hydroxide (25% solution)*Hydrogen peroxide (30% solution)Concentrated vinegar (30% acetic acid)Bleaching agents and sanitary cleaners containing themHydrochloric acid based cleaning agents (≤ 3% HCI)Acid-based metal cleanersMercurochrome (2,7-diabromo-4-hydroxymercurifluoresein, disodium salt)*Shoe polishHair colouring and bleaching agentsIodineBoric acidLacquers and adhesives (except fast curing materials)Amidosulfonic acid descaling agents (< 10% solution)

Apply staining agent at ambient temperature 10 minutes

1) Some commercial cleaning agents contain acids and alkalis in concentrations stronger than those shown in Group 3 and can cause surface marking or damage. Any spillage of such materials must be washed off immediately.Rating 5 Is equivalent to No visible change.Rating 4 is equivalent to Slight change of gloss and or colour, only visible at certain viewing angles.

Rating 3 Hairline surface cracks and/or erosion of surfaceRating 4 Change of gloss only

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WHEN SPECIFYING Materials shall be Laminex AlfrescoCompact Laminate of nominal thicknessof .......mm, as supplied by The LaminexGroup. Colour shall be ..............................

SITE WORK NOTES FabricationLaminex Alfresco Compact Laminates canbe cut, drilled and machined withstandard woodworking equipment fittedwith tungsten carbide edges.Select brackets, hinges screws andfastening equipment etc. to suit theexternal environment of the installation.Higher corrosive atmospheres such assalty and chlorine environments may bemore corrosive than inland dryerclimates. (Note: chlorine can damage thesurface of Alfresco; take care wheninstalling near swimming pools.)

Surface mounted objects should besecured using self-tapping screws, threadcutting screws or threaded brass insertsin pre-drilled holes.

Compact laminate is a very hard material,use high quality screws and predrill pilothole 0.5mm smaller than screw gauge asa guide, or follow as recommended byscrew manufacturer, caution not to overtighten to avoid snapping screw.

Screw locationScrews should be carefully positioned toprevent splintering and breakout – nocloser than 20mm to an edge.If screwing into an edge it is notrecommended to place it closer than75mm from end of a panel. (In generalscrews into the edges should be avoided) Refer to the Compact laminatefabrication guide for additional details.

Through fixing is recommended for 6mmthick panels.

Metal brackets are recommended forsecuring the panels together. Metal fittingsmay corrode over time so weatherresistant fittings should be useddepending on the extent of outdoorexposure and the visibility of the fittings.

Glued joins and use of sealants are notrecommended for exterior applications.

Mitring of edges should be avoided asthey are vulnerable to damage. Achamfered edge or crescent shaped edgewill avoid edge chipping or flaking.

Standard tools for hardwood can be usedfor machining or processing such assawing, drilling and routing. Neither thesurface nor the sawn edges need to beprotected or sealed. Panels will present adistinctive black edge.

Ensure that pooling of water on thesurfaces of Laminex Alfresco CompactLaminate cannot occur and allowsufficient ventilation and drainage inenclosed spaces such as cabinets.

When installing Laminex AlfrescoCompact Laminate in the vicinity of gasburners, barbecues or electric hot plates,ensure that minimum clearances aremaintained between the appliance andLaminex Alfresco Compact Laminate.Installations around gas burners orbarbecues must be made in accordancewith AS/NZS 5601.1:2010, ‘GasInstallations – clearance around a gascooking appliance and a combustiblesurface’.

Free-standing/built-in barbecueinstallations Follow the barbecue manufacturer’sguidelines for installations near combustiblesurfaces. Also ensure adequate clearancebetween the base of the barbecue andLaminex Alfresco Compact Laminate.

Regulations currently state all clearancemust be sufficient so the surface ofcombustible material is not exposed to 65degrees centigrade above ambienttemperature.

Also to note there is a clearancerequirement of 1000mm from anycombustible material above the height ofthe plates and/or grids.

CUTTING DOORS OR PANELSLaminex Alfresco Compact Laminate is awood based product and its movementis influenced by humidity absorption.Similarly to other laminates, compactlaminates will expand more in the widththan in the length due to the orientationof the cellulose fibres in the paper-basedcore.

To minimise warping of doors andpanels it is recommended that panelsmust be cut with the long edge parallelto the length of the sheet. Warpingoccurs when both sides of a door orpanel are not exposed to the samehumidity level.

The longer a sheet is, the larger theimpact of warping will be. Ensure as faras possible that ambient conditions arethe same on each side of a panel as it isimportant both sides gain and loosemoisture at the same rate. Where panelsare mounted on a wall or enclosed in acabinet for example, ensure adequateventilation to ensure temperature andhumidity at the back of the panel isessentially the same as the front. Fixing centres should be sufficiently closeto prevent excessive freedom ofmovement. Cubical doors for examplegreater than 1500mm high should have3 hinges.

Note: An exception is when LaminexAlfresco Compact Laminate is used forsash doors. The panels have to be cutout of the width of the basic sheetsinstead of the length. If a sash door is cutout of the length of a sheet thehorizontal bow will interfere with thesliding action of the door. It is preferableto have a vertical bow for thisapplication and cutting out of the widthof the basic sheet is recommended.

If black core is scorched due to dullblades or jamming when cutting, the edgecan be restored by taking a fine cut orsanding back to restore the black edge.

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Maintaining clean fresh lookingblack core edges The black core is a visual feature ofLaminex Alfresco Compact Laminate. Thiscan be enhanced after machining andmaintained by use of wet and dry sandpaper. To prepare and smooth the edgeuse extra fine (400grit) then burnishsmooth using Ultra fine 2000gritlubricated with linseed or tung oil.

When complete wipe on linseed or tungoil to maintain surface.

To maintain edges over time clean downand apply oil.

Caution when preparing the edge do notdamage the decorative surface.

PROCESSINGSawingIt is strongly recommended that allsawing operations for Laminex Compactto be done with stationery circular sawto achieve optimum finishing effect andalways use some trial panels to test firstbefore actual operation. Always makesure that the decorative surface facingupwards to prevent damage chippingedges on the surface.

A carbide or diamond tipped saw bladeshould be used to saw the panels

The height setting of the saw bladeshould be approximately 30-40mmabove the decorative surface. The imagebelow illustrates the correct setting ofthe saw blade so as to avoid chippingsaw edges.

Illustration of Height Setting for Saw Blade

Entry rake angle of about 45˚ will givethe panels nice and straight sawn edgesas shown below.

Entry Rake Angle of the Saw Blade

The saw blade must always be sharpand if necessary, remove it to sharpenor change to a new one beforecontinuing the sawing operation.

All sharp sawn edges should beremoved with fine sand paper or routerto achieve good and smooth finishingeffect.

RouteringRoutering of edges require hard metalor diamond cutter at slow speed toachieve good finishing without burnmarks on the phenolic core surface.

This operation can be done with eithera CNC machine or manual operatedroutering cutter. Depending on the typeof router shapes, the cutter bits belowcan achieve the desired effect.

For CNC operation, please follow themachine manufacturer instructions. Formanual operated routering, the tablebelow shows essential information forthe operation.

Front View

Front View

Side View

Top View

LowHumidity

HighHumidity

LowHumidity

HighHumidity

Incorrect: Door cut out of width of asheet, warping vertically.

Correct: Door cut out of length of a sheet,warping horizontally.

Types of Router Bits for DifferentTypes of Edge FinishingEdge Finishing Type of BitBevelling Straight and SlantedRounded Hollow or RoundGroove Diamond Groove

Manual Operated Routering OperationBit No. Speed FeedingDiameter of (m/s) Speed(mm) Revolutions (m/min)

(rev/min)20 18000 20 525 24000 30

Recommended Sawing Operation for Laminex CompactSaw Blade No. of No. of Blade Height FeedingDiameter Saw Teeth Revolutions Thickness Setting Speed(mm) for Saw Machine (mm) (mm) (m/min)

(rev/min)300 72 6000 3.5 30 7-22400 96 4000 4.8 40

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DRILLINGThe most suitable drills used oncompact laminates are those designedfor plastic sheet materials. These drillshave a point angle of 60° - 80° insteadof the normal 120° for drilling metal.

To avoid breakout on the reverse side,the feed speed of the drill head and thepressure applied should be graduallyreduced approaching the point ofbreakthrough. Working on a firmunderlay, such as plywood or chipboard,will also reduce the risk of breakout.

For blind boring into the face, the depthof the hole should be such that at least2mm of material remains between thebottom of the hole and the other sideof the sheet.

TCT lip & Sur drills will produce cleanflat bottom holes, with less risk of pointpenetration on the reverse side. This willallow maximum depth of material forfixing.

Compact sheets less than 10mm thickare not considered suitable for blindfixing.

When drilling parallel to the surface(edge drilling) at least 3mm of materialmust remain on either side of the hole.

Threaded holes using engineers taps,selt-tapping screws or threaded brassinserts may also be used.

HSS drill, top angle 60°-80°. Panelsshould be drilled with support sheets.

Section 5mm 8mm 10mmNumber of Revolutions 3,000 2,000 1,500Start 60-120 40-80 30-60

mm/min mm/min mm/min

Large holes, e.g. for suspension and lockingequipment, are to be drilled withcombination drills without a centering point.

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INTERSECTIONS

External Corner

Internal Corner

T-Intersection

EDGES & NOSINGS

Built-Up Edge

Edge with Sliding Doors

Standard Edge

Metal angleor aluminiumchannelconnector

Chamferedcorners

Smoothedge

Substrate frameor brackets

Substrate frameor brackets

Do notfasten intoends

Keep screws2mm fromface

Angle brackets at300mm centres

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JOINTS

SPLASHBACKS

Pass-through Objects

Wall

Retainingtrim

Expansionclearance

Packing if required

Keep screws2mm fromlaminate face

Vee joint

Self-tappingscrews in pre-drilled holes

Shims (if required)Thickness variation

Metal plate at 400mm

Leave clearancearound objects topermit compactto expand andcontract

Pipe section

Cover

mild household cleaner. Wipe dampsurfaces with an absorbent cloth. Highpressure water cleaning or steamcleaning of panels is not recommended.

Removing Severe SoilingSeverely dirty surfaces or areas wherenormal soiling* has built up over a longperiod of time are easy to clean withhot water and an interior detergent- orsoap-based cleaning agent, applied witha sponge or soft nylon brush. Apply thediluted cleaning agent to the surface andleave it to soak for a while. Then rinseoff with clean water and dry with anabsorbent cloth.

*dust, dirt, coffee, tea, fruit juice, food residues, grease, soapresidues, lime scale, water-soluble paints and adhesives.

Removing Special StainingSolvent-based varnishes and adhesives(nail varnish, rubber stamp ink, andaerosol paint) should be removed withorganic solvents such as acetone, whitespirit, turpentine or petroleum. Removewax from candles or crayons immediatelywith water and a mild household cleaningagent. Dried wax stains may first have tobe scraped off with a wooden or plasticspatula and the remainder removed withan organic solvent. Two part paint oradhesive, synthetic resin and the likeshould be removed immediately withwater or an organic solvent. Once theseproducts have set, they cannot beremoved without damaging the surface.Lime scale can be removed with acidiccleaning agents containing approximately10% acetic acid or citric acid.

The manufacturer's instructions must bestrictly followed. Rinse surfaces and edgesvery thoroughly! Paint, varnish, ink, shoepolish, lipstick, tar and other soluble (butstrong stains) can be removed withorganic solvents such as acetone, whitespirit, turpentine or petroleum spirit.

Rub silicone off dry or use siliconeremover. Both the decorative surface andcore of Laminex Alfresco CompactLaminates are highly resistant to mostcommonly-used disinfectants.

Long term use of chlorine bleachcleaners, acidic or alkaline cleaners cancause colour and appearance changes tothe surface.

STORAGE & HANDLINGCONDITIONS

1. Compact is heavy. Ensure you use theright forklift length for the laminatestacking height and sheet size. Don’toverload the forklift.

2. During storage the sheets must beparallel to the ground and alignedwith each other on bearers that areevenly spaced on a flat surface.Maximum space between bearers is600mm. Protect the sheet corners.

3. Do not stand the sheets against awall vertically. Make sure there are nocavities between the sheets.

4. Store in a dry, sheltered area. Do notleave the sheets inside the pallet inthe rain or direct sunlight.

Diagram as example mounting. This product is not a flameproof splashback material.

CARE & CLEANINGThe non-porous surface is easy to clean.For general cleaning, household cleaners,water or soap are highly recommended.Do not use abrasive or polishingmaterials. Both the decorative surfaceand homogenous core of LaminexAlfresco Compact Laminates areimpervious and resistant to mostcommonly used cleaning agents anddisinfectants. The surfaces of LaminexAlfresco Compact Laminate furniturecan be easily cleaned with a dry ordamp cloth and, if necessary, a

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5. Sheets must be carried by at least 2people, or if using a forklift or suctionlift, move sheets gently to avoiddamage.

6. Protect laminates with a moistureimpermeable cover. Do not stackbundles of different size on top ofeach other. If laminates are removedfrom the pallet for storage, it’srecommended that the plastic film isremoved to ensure even moistureabsorption on both sides of thepanel.