Difference between revisions of "Formica"

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[[File:formica black.jpg|thumb|'''MFA Acc. #:''' 93.1108]]
 
[[File:formica black.jpg|thumb|'''MFA Acc. #:''' 93.1108]]
 
== Description ==
 
== Description ==
 
+
[[File: Formica white.jpg|thumb|white Formica Counter]]
 
[Formica Corp.] A registered trademark for a series of laminated surfacing materials made from phenolic resins. Formica® was invented in 1912 by Daniel J. O'Conor. Patented in 1913, it was originally made as a substitute for mica, hence its name, and sold to electrical companies as insulation. In 1927, a printing technique was patented to make laminates with decorative surfaces. Formica® laminate and Formica® ColorCore surfacing materials are made from kraft paper impregnated with phenolic and melamine resins then consolidated at high pressures. The sheets are rigid with a uniform thickness. Formica® laminates are designed for interior use on countertops and cabinet facings. The manufacturer recommends that it only be adhered to fiberboard with a Formica® brand adhesive. While top surfaces of an adhered Formica® laminate are resistant to boiling water, an exposed board may warp in high humidity. Freshly cut surfaces will emit small amounts of formaldehyde.
 
[Formica Corp.] A registered trademark for a series of laminated surfacing materials made from phenolic resins. Formica® was invented in 1912 by Daniel J. O'Conor. Patented in 1913, it was originally made as a substitute for mica, hence its name, and sold to electrical companies as insulation. In 1927, a printing technique was patented to make laminates with decorative surfaces. Formica® laminate and Formica® ColorCore surfacing materials are made from kraft paper impregnated with phenolic and melamine resins then consolidated at high pressures. The sheets are rigid with a uniform thickness. Formica® laminates are designed for interior use on countertops and cabinet facings. The manufacturer recommends that it only be adhered to fiberboard with a Formica® brand adhesive. While top surfaces of an adhered Formica® laminate are resistant to boiling water, an exposed board may warp in high humidity. Freshly cut surfaces will emit small amounts of formaldehyde.
  
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fórmica (Port.); Arborite (similar product made in Canada)
 
fórmica (Port.); Arborite (similar product made in Canada)
  
== Applications ==
 
[[File: Formica white.jpg|thumb|white Formica Counter]]
 
 
== Risks ==
 
== Risks ==
 
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* Possible decomposition products are: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, formaldehyde and nitrogen oxides.
Formica Corporation: [[file:///C:/Users/Michele/Downloads/Intentek%20Safety%20Data%20Sheet%20(1).pdf  Safety Data Sheet]]
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* Formica Corporation: [[file:///C:/Users/Michele/Downloads/Intentek%20Safety%20Data%20Sheet%20(1).pdf  Safety Data Sheet]]
  
 
== Physical and Chemical Properties ==
 
== Physical and Chemical Properties ==
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Strong acids and alkalis will destroy surface appearance.
 
Strong acids and alkalis will destroy surface appearance.
  
== Hazards and Safety ==
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== Resources and Citations ==
 
 
Possible decomposition products are: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, formaldehyde and nitrogen oxides.
 
 
 
== Additional Information ==
 
 
 
Formica: [http://www.formica.com Website]:
 
  
== Sources Checked for Data in Record ==
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* Formica: [http://www.formica.com Website]:
  
* Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia, at http://www.wikipedia.com  Comment: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formica_%28plastic%29 (Accessed Feb. 10, 2006)
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* Wikipedia,: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Formica_%28plastic%29 (Accessed Feb. 10, 2006)
  
 
* Richard S. Lewis, ''Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
 
* Richard S. Lewis, ''Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary'', Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
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* Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000
 
* Art and Architecture Thesaurus Online, http://www.getty.edu/research/tools/vocabulary/aat/, J. Paul Getty Trust, Los Angeles, 2000
  
* Website address 1  Comment: www.formica.com
 
  
  
  
 
[[Category:Materials database]]
 
[[Category:Materials database]]

Revision as of 14:18, 24 November 2020

MFA Acc. #: 93.1108

Description

white Formica Counter

[Formica Corp.] A registered trademark for a series of laminated surfacing materials made from phenolic resins. Formica® was invented in 1912 by Daniel J. O'Conor. Patented in 1913, it was originally made as a substitute for mica, hence its name, and sold to electrical companies as insulation. In 1927, a printing technique was patented to make laminates with decorative surfaces. Formica® laminate and Formica® ColorCore surfacing materials are made from kraft paper impregnated with phenolic and melamine resins then consolidated at high pressures. The sheets are rigid with a uniform thickness. Formica® laminates are designed for interior use on countertops and cabinet facings. The manufacturer recommends that it only be adhered to fiberboard with a Formica® brand adhesive. While top surfaces of an adhered Formica® laminate are resistant to boiling water, an exposed board may warp in high humidity. Freshly cut surfaces will emit small amounts of formaldehyde.

Synonyms and Related Terms

fórmica (Port.); Arborite (similar product made in Canada)

Risks

  • Possible decomposition products are: carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, ammonia, formaldehyde and nitrogen oxides.
  • Formica Corporation: [Safety Data Sheet]

Physical and Chemical Properties

Strong acids and alkalis will destroy surface appearance.

Resources and Citations

  • Richard S. Lewis, Hawley's Condensed Chemical Dictionary, Van Nostrand Reinhold, New York, 10th ed., 1993
  • G.S.Brady, Materials Handbook, McGraw-Hill Book Co., New York, 1971 Comment: p. 792
  • Ralph Mayer, A Dictionary of Art Terms and Techniques, Harper and Row Publishers, New York, 1969 (also 1945 printing)
  • Dictionary of Building Preservation, Ward Bucher, ed., John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York City, 1996
  • Pam Hatchfield, Pollutants in the Museum Environment, Archetype Press, London, 2002

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