Thermal wear, definition

Aesthetic properties are of greatest concern in decorative laminates. These include gloss, appearance, cleanabiUty, wear resistance, stain resistance, and other surface properties. Physical properties are of most importance for industrial laminates. These include strength, electrical and thermal properties, expansion coefficient, and punchabiUty. The definitions of the laminate grades in these standards foUow. 

An important advantage of the plastic is that in thermal processing the finish on the surface of the tool—whether it be matt, leather grain, jazzy pattern, or what you will—can be transferred directly to the workpieces. One proviso when a design is applied in this way is that the tool should not wear quickly (which will result in loss of definition of the decoration) or, worse, that it be scratched or damaged so that the unwanted mark is carried over to the products. 

It is useful at this point to consider the definition of an additive as given by the EC (European Commission) an additive is a substance, which is incorporated into plastics to achieve a technical effect in the finished product, and is intended to be an essential part of the finished product. Since the very early stages of the development of the polymer industry, it was realized that useful materials could only be obtained if certain additives were incorporated into the polymer matrix, in a process normally known as compounding. Additives confer on plastics significant extensions of properties in one or more directions, such as general durability, stiffness and strength, impact resistance, thermal resistance, resistance to flexure and wear, acoustic isolation, etc [86]. 

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