Plastics are not always moulded into shapes — we often need sheets of plastic. Perspex is a thermosetting plastic, ideal for making windows and roof lights. Perspex is as clear as glass and does not break easily. It is made by pouring liquid plastic between two sheets of sealed glass. When the glass sheets are clamped together and passed through a hot oven, the plastic sheet hardens to form perspex.
Table tops and other surfaces are sometimes protected with sheets called ‘laminates’. Melamine is a laminate. This thermosetting plastic forms a very strong, tough surface. Melamine is resistant to heat and does not stain easily.
Laminate sheets are made by bonding together two or more layers of materials. Laminate sheets from plastics are glued to wood to make the surface aesthetic. These sheets are manufactured by laminating different types of papers with formaldehyde. The core sheet consists of Kraff paper with phenol formaldehyde (PF) and below it, a barrier paper is provided. Above the Kraff paper, a tissue paper is impregnated with FF melamine formaldehyde (MF) resin is provided which gives protection and also enhances abrasion resistance. Then, these laminates are bonded to wooden surfaces with suitable glue and pressing for some time finishes the process.
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