Corian
Encyclopedia
Solid surface
Solid surface is a man-made material usually composed of marble dust, bauxite, acrylic or polyester resins and pigments. It is most frequently used for seamless countertop installations.-Performance characteristics:...
created by DuPont
DuPont
E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company , commonly referred to as DuPont, is an American chemical company that was founded in July 1802 as a gunpowder mill by Eleuthère Irénée du Pont. DuPont was the world's third largest chemical company based on market capitalization and ninth based on revenue in 2009...
. It is composed of acrylic
Acryl group
In organic chemistry, the acryloyl group is the functional group with structure H2C=CH–C–; it is the acyl group derived from acrylic acid. The preferred IUPAC name for the group is prop-2-enoyl, and it is also known as acrylyl or simply acryl...
polymer
Polymer
A polymer is a large molecule composed of repeating structural units. These subunits are typically connected by covalent chemical bonds...
and alumina trihydrate
Hydrate
Hydrate is a term used in inorganic chemistry and organic chemistry to indicate that a substance contains water. The chemical state of the water varies widely between hydrates, some of which were so labeled before their chemical structure was understood....
. Corian can be thermoformed by heating it to 300°F (150°C), allowing unique shapes to be created. Its primary use is in kitchen countertops, bathroom vanity tops, and wall cladding in showers.
Due to its non-porous quality, Corian is approved for use in specialized environments, such as laboratories and hospitals. Corian's versatility allows it to be joined, shaped, and finished into a wide variety of products. It comes in more than 100 colors and patterns.
Corian is manufactured in two thicknesses: 6mm and 12mm. Cross-section cuts show consistent color and particulate patterning evenly distributed throughout the material. Nicks and scratches can be buffed out with a Scotch-Brite pad or orbital sander. In the fabrication process, joints can be made invisible by joining the relevant pieces with Corian's own color-matched two-part acrylic epoxy. The pieces are clamped tightly together in order to express any excess adhesive. After the adhesive dries, the area is sanded and polished to create a seamless joint.
Competitors
A competitor to the Corian brand is Meganite, which has a Class 1 or A fire rating for all 80 colors in 1/4", 1/2" and 3/4" thicknesses.The LG Group
LG Group
LG Corp. is the second-largest South Korean conglomerate company following Samsung, and it is headquartered in the LG Twin Towers in Yeouido-dong, Yeongdeungpo-gu, Seoul. LG produces electronics, chemicals, and telecommunications products and operates subsidiaries like LG Electronics, LG Display,...
markets its 100% acrylic solid surface under the LG HI-MACS brand, manufactured in Korea and in the United States, just outside Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
, Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. LG HI-MACS offers similar styles, quality, and colors as DuPont.
Polylac Holland BV markets its 100% polyester solid surface under the Marlan brand, manufactured in the Netherlands. Available in sheets of 6, 12, 18, 24mm thickness and large dimensions of 3670x1250mm. Marlan is also well-known because of the many cast shapes in about 50 different colours.
Other solid surface manufacturers include Samsung
Samsung Group
The Samsung Group is a South Korean multinational conglomerate corporation headquartered in Samsung Town, Seoul, South Korea...
's Staron line, Wilsonart's Gibraltar solid surface, LivingStone
Livingstone
-People:*David Livingstone 1813–1873, Scottish missionary explorer of Africa, best known bearer of the name and namesake of numerous places*Adelaide Livingstone , responsible for organising the 1934–5 Peace Ballot in the UK*Alexander Livingstone *Bruce Livingstone , Canadian entrepreneur*Colin H...
Surfaces, made by US Surface Warehouse (USSW) in Texas, Durasolid, made in Spain, and Kerrock, made in Slovenia. Hanex, Brionne, and Bellassimo solid surface are other brand names, manufactured by Hanwha of South Korea. Cristalplant is a solid surface product manufactured in Italy. Durat is a similar product made in Finland, using 100% recycled plastics. It comes in a range of very vibrant colours, brighter than those of most other solid surfaces. SOLIDEX solid surfaces is made in UAE since 1995 with highest US technology and European RAW Material.
Avonite
Avonite
Avonite Studio collection is a polyester solid-surface material.Avonite Foundations collection is an acrylic solid surface material....
makes two types of solid surface, a polyester
Polyester
Polyester is a category of polymers which contain the ester functional group in their main chain. Although there are many polyesters, the term "polyester" as a specific material most commonly refers to polyethylene terephthalate...
base, and an acrylic
Acryl group
In organic chemistry, the acryloyl group is the functional group with structure H2C=CH–C–; it is the acyl group derived from acrylic acid. The preferred IUPAC name for the group is prop-2-enoyl, and it is also known as acrylyl or simply acryl...
based material. Polyester allows for greater depth of color, as well as less visible scratch marks, but its lack of ATH filler makes it more brittle and only Class B fire rated, which may pose issues in commercial applications. Avonite claims the toughness of its filled polyester equals that of 100% acrylic.
Velstone solid surface materials were established in Castleblayney, Ireland in 1991. Velstone has a BS476 Part 6 Class 0 and BS476 Class 1 fire ratings. Most solid surfaces carry a Class 1 fire rating, except for the 100% polyesters, which carry a Class III fire rating.