Trespa TLP Work Surface Specification

LABORATORY WORK SURFACE
Division 12; sections 12 3600; 12 3650 and 12 3653 Laboratory Work Surface Tops Phenolic
12 35 53 Phenolic Cabinets; 12 35 53 Phenolic Furniture
Also shown in Division 6 - Wood, Plastics & Components
Section 06 40 00 Architectural Woodwork

2.6 WORK SURFACES

Solid Phenolic Resin Composite Laboratory Work Surfaces, with Epoxy sinks and Accessory
Producer: Trespa® Top Lab Plus Solid Phenolic
Supplier / Fabricator: Total Laboratory Solutions, Scottsdale, Arizona

REFERENCES

A. ASTM International (ASTM):

1. D570 - Standard Test Method for Water Absorption of Plastics.
   
2. D635 - Standard Test Method for Rate of Burning and/or Extent and Time of Burning of Plastics in a Horizontal Position.
   
3. D648 - Standard Test Method for Deflection Temperature of Plastics Under Flexural load in edgewise Position.
   
4. D695 - Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Rigid Plastics.
   
5. D696 - Standard Test Method for Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion of Plastics Between -300 C and 300 C with a Vitreous Silica Dilatometer.
   
6. D785 - Standard Test Method for Rockwell Hardness of Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials.
   
7. D790 - Standard Test Method for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastics and Electrical Insulating Materials.
   
8. D792 - Standard Test Method for Density and Specific Gravity (Relative Density) of Plastics by Displacement.
   
9. D3801 - Standard Test Method for Measuring the Comparative Burning Characteristics of Solid Plastics in a Vertical Position.
   
10. E84 - Standard Test Method for Surface Burning Characteristics of Building Material.
    GREENGUARD Environmental Institute (GREENGUARD):
    
11. Indoor Air Quality Certification Program.
    
12. Children and Schools Certification Program.

B. International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 9001 - Quality Management Systems - Requirements.

C. NSF International / American National Standards Institute (NSF/ANSI) - 51 - Food Equipment Materials.

D. Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) - Recycled Content Certifications.

E. Scientific Equipment and Furniture Association (SEFA) 3 - Work Surfaces. Materials and Fabrication:

General: Material shall be a solid, hard and made of homogeneously reinforced wood-based cellulose fibers with thermosetting phenolic resin pressed under high heat temperature and pressure to form a composite material formulated to provide a work surface with chemical and heat resistance characteristics. The combination of asbestos free inert filler material, wood fibers and phenolic resin shall be press cured in order to achieve maximum chemical resistance and physical strength and stability for science room cabinet tops, door and drawer fronts. Surfaces shall have a uniform low-sheen matte crystal smooth surface finish and the material shall be extremely hard and resistant to heat, chemical attack, self-extinguishing and non-absorptive in nature.

Products of Solid Phenolic to be certified for the following:
FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) and PEFC Certification
Low VOC off-gasing: 0.22 mg/(mm^3) or 220 g/l or 0.22 mg/m3

Trespa TopLab Plus® solid phenolic is manufactured by Trespa® North America. TopLabPlus®, or Top Lab® is a self-supporting flat panel based on thermosetting resins, homogeneously reinforced with cellulose fibers and manufactured under high heat and pressure. The panels have a pigmented resin, decorative surface that is electron-beam cured. TopLabPlus provides high aesthetics and a quality appearance for applications for sterile and chemically resistant laboratory work surfaces.

Warpage: Inspect work surface for warpage before fabrication or installation. Measure in unrestrained condition. Work surface will be accepted for use if there is no gap exceeding 1/16" (1.59 mm) in a 36" (914 mm / 0.9 mtr) span or 3/16" (4.5 mm) in 96" (2438 mm) span.

Fabrication: Provide in longest practical lengths, 96" (2438 mm) or 120" (3048 mm) being maximum available. All seam joints shall be bonded with a highly chemical and corrosion resistant 2 part epoxy adhesive. Provide 1/8" (3.17 mm) drip groove on front underside of exposed edges set back 1/2" (12.5 mm) from edge at all sink areas and where shown on drawings. All exposed edges to be finished.

Slab Sizes: 60.24" x 120.08" Nominal 5' x 10'; and 73.23" x 100.40" Nominal 6' x 8'. (1530 x 3050 mm) and 1860 x 2550 mm), fabricated, cut to sizes required.

Thickness Tolerances: Each top corner shall not deviate more than plus / minus 1/16" (1.59 mm) from nominal.
Size Tolerances: Length, plus / minus 1/8" Width (3.17 mm), plus / minus 1/16" (1.59 mm).

Squareness: Compare the diagonal corner-to-corner measurements across the width of each work surface. The diagonal measurements must be within 1/16" (1.59 mm).

Penetrations: Location of cutouts and drillings: Plus / minus 1/8" (3.17 mm). Cutout sizes and drillings: Plus / minus 1/16" (1.59 mm).

Chemical Resistance:
Test Methods:

Volatile chemicals (organic solvents): A cotton ball, saturated with the test chemical (reagent) is placed in a one-ounce bottle (10 x 75 mm test tube or similar container) with a reservoir of liquid above the ball. The container is inverted on the test material for a period of 24 hours at a standard temperature of 23° plus / minus 2°C. (73°F plus / minus 4°F).

Non-Volatile Chemicals: Five drops (1/4 cc) of the test chemical are placed on the test material surface. The chemical is covered with a watch glass 1" (25 mm) for a period of no less than 24 hours at a standard temperature of 23° plus / minus 2°C. (73°F plus / minus 4°F).

Evaluation Ratings:

After exposure for 24 hours, all surfaces are washed with clear clean water, then a detergent solution, finally with naphtha, then rinsed with distilled water and dried with a cloth. Change in surface finish and function shall be described by the following (1-5) ratings:

1. No Effect: No detectable change in the material surface.
2. Excellent: Slight detectable change in color or gloss, but no change to the function or life of the work surface material.
3. Good: Clearly discernible change in color or gloss, but no significant impairment of surface life or function.
   
4. Fair: Objectionable change in appearance due to surface discoloration or etch, possibly resulting in deterioration of function over an extended period.
   
5. Failure: Pitting, cratering or erosion of work surface material; obvious and significant deterioration.

Chemical resistance is affected by the type of chemical, its concentration, ambient temperature, humidity, time and housekeeping practices. Panels are to be provided with minimum performance in accordance with chemical resistance test per SEFA 8. End users should test phenolic panels in actual work environments. Generally, with proper housekeeping (spills cleaned immediately), the following listed chemicals cause no detectable stain, loss of gloss or change in work surface.
After 24 hours, the following showed a slight or noticeable stain with Black Trespa TLP: 98% Sulfuric, 65% Nitric, Iodine Crystal and Iodine solution 1%. The balance of chemicals tested did not stain or stains could be cleaned leaving a normal surface. Resistance to staining may be color dependent.

Minimum acceptable test results shall be equal to or better than the following rating:

*Tested to SEFA standards. Sodium Hypochlorite (Bleach - NaCLO) Tested at 13% bleach solution - no effect.

Other Characteristics:

A. Finish: Matte sheen - Crystal smooth Top Lab Plus or quartz finish on Athlon only
B. Core color - Black only
C. Modulus of Elasticity: 1,500,000 psi minimum
D. Shear Strength: 2000 psi minimum
E. Compressive Strength: 24,000 psi minimum.
E. Weight: 93 pcf maximum.
G. Fire Performance: Maximum flame-spread of 25 per ASTM E84 (Class 1, Class A) for panels 5/8" thick and greater.
H. Porosity: Nonporous surface and edges.
I. Microbial Characteristics: Will not support micro organic growth.
J. Chemical Resistance: Provide panel with minimum performance in accordance with chemical resistance test per SEFA 8.

Testing Requirements:

Hardness (ASTM D785):
Test Method: Hardness, Rockwell M "M" Scale; average of five readings.
Minimum Acceptable Test Results: Average value of 100 over the five samples. Average of 56 according to Barcol Impressor.

Water Absorption (ASTM D570): Test Method: Specimens measuring 3" (75 mm) in length by 1" (25 mm) in width by the thickness of the material should be used. At least three specimens should be tested. After weighing, specimens should be entirely immersed in distilled water maintained at a temperature of 23° plus or minus 1°C. (73.4° plus or minus 1.8°F) for a period of 24 hours. The samples should then be removed, dried and weighed to the nearest 0.001g. The percentage of increase in weight calculated to the nearest 0.01% should then be calculated.
Minimum Acceptable Test Results: 0.01% to 0.8% maximum, according to ASTM D570.

Flammability or Rate of Burning (ASTM D794):
Test Method: Measure "Average Time of Burning (ATB)" as described in test. At least 5 samples
(125 mm +/- 5 mm in length by 12.5mm +/- 0.2 mm in width) should be tested. Minimum Acceptable Test Results: ATB should equal zero.

Porcelain Crucible - Test A (Non-Standard Test)
Test Method: a high-form porcelain crucible, size D, 15ml capacity, shall be heated over a Bunsen burner until the crucible bottom attains an incipient red heat. Immediately, the hot crucible shall be transferred to the top surface and allowed to cool to room temperature. Minimum Acceptable Test Results: Upon removal of the cooled crucible, there shall be no blisters or cracks. Slight dulling or color change is acceptable.

Heat Deflection @ 264 psi (ASTM 648)
Minimum Acceptable Test Results: 193°C (380°F)

Falling Ball Impact Resistance (ERF 23-69):
Test Method: Careful attention to details of test procedure should be followed. A wooden supporting frame must be used with the test. Size of samples: 12" x 12" (305 x 305 mm) by the thickness of the material. Steel balls of 2 lbs. (0.907 kgs) should be used. Three or more samples should be tested from a maximum height of 8 ft (2.42 m).
Minimum Acceptable Test Result: No fracture to a height of 7 ft (2.12 m).

Thermal Shock Resistance (Non-Standard Test):
Test Method: Two cubes 2" x 2" (50 x 50 mm) by thickness of material are immersed in a dry ice/acetone bath maintained at minus 78°C. The cubes are allowed to remain in the bath for 15 minutes. Each cube is removed and immediately placed in a container of boiling water at 100°C. The procedure is repeated until failure occurs (i.e., cracking, warpage, distortion) for a series of five repetitions.
Minimum Acceptable Test Results: No visible changes should be observed.

Flexural Strength and Modulus of Rupture (ASTM D790):
Test Method: Test specimens should be prepared from 1" thick (25 mm) production material with a support span 16 times the depth (thickness) of the beam. The original surface of the sample should be unaltered. Recommended sample size is 19.5" x 1.0" x 1.0" (495 x 25 x 25 mm) (length x width x depth). A minimum of five samples are to be tested. Testing should be carried out to failure of the test sample. Modulus of rupture should be measured as described in the ASTM method. Minimum Acceptable Test Result: Flexural Strength: 10,000 psi / Modulus of Rupture: 1,000,000psi.