Laboratory
counters are workspace. They hold the equipment and projects and tools. Counter space is needed for a
writing surface, to catch spills, even to
sit on… maybe. Countertops are available in a stunning array of materials, composites, finishes and costs.
Because
each laboratory
is different from the next, it is important to understand the benefits and strengths of each type of material.
Below are a handful of the most popular
choices for laboratory countertop materials.
When designing a lab it’s important to do some research and talk with a professional lab planner/designer to
explore all the options and make the best
choice for your lab. Some materials used
for designing lab benches or countertops are explained below.
PHENOLIC
RESIN
Phenolic Resin counter tops or benches are
lightweight, hard, durable and highly
chemical resistant. They are oil and moisture resistant and do not support the growth of most bacteria and fungus.
Phenolic resin is an excellent choice for
laboratory environments with continuous heat
exposure up to 350°F (176°C) – beyond this temperature on a continuous basis use Epoxy Resin. Phenolic resin is
resistant to scuffs and abrasions and
holds up well against impact and stress cracking.
These countertops will look good and perform well for many years. Phenolic Resin is an exceptional choice for
your new space.
EPOXY
RESIN
Epoxy resin counter tops or benches are made
from a mixture of materials then cured as
a solid, continuous product. Epoxy resin is a durable and economical choice for many kinds of labs. It is non-porous, water and moisture resistant, and holds up
well in wet situations. Therefore it is
often used around sinks. It is
impressively resistant to heat and chemicals,
resists discoloration, blistering and
cracking under very harsh conditions. Plus it takes a beating but continues to look like new for years. The
durability of this product is built-in,
not added as layers or coatings. Epoxy resin countertops or benches are popular in many types of labs including:
educational
labs, hospitals and medical labs, research R&D labs, pharmaceutical labs, biological science labs,
microbiology and biomedical labs, molecular pathology, and
industrial testing.
The difference between phenolic resin and
epoxy resin is construction materials and
manufacturing process. Phenolic resin countertops are composite panels made by layering natural kraft papers
that have been saturated with phenolic
resin and processed under high heat to form a solid surface composite panel. Epoxy resin countertops are a mixture
of resin, silica, a hardener, and filler, which
are molded and oven cured as a solid
slab.
Functionally, phenolic and epoxy resin
countertops are very similar.
The main difference is heat handling capacity.
As previously mentioned phenolic resin
countertops perform very well with continuous heat exposure up to 350°F (176°C). Epoxy resin will handle
higher heat loads including open flame.
STAINLESS
STEEL SINKS AND COUNTERTOPS
Stainless steel countertops and work surfaces
provide excellent chemical and heat
resistance and are the preferred choice for sterile environments. Stainless steel holds up well to high
temperatures but can become discolored.
The biggest drawback to stainless steel is the cost. However, in the right situation with consistent care stainless
steel will last and look beautiful, too.
Stainless steel is a good choice for
biological science labs, microbiology biomedical, pharmaceutical, medical, and hospital labs.
PLASTIC
LAMINATE
High-pressure plastic laminate countertops are
another available option for labs but
these countertops do not perform or last as well as phenolic resin or epoxy resin. Plastic laminate is a combination of
wood fibers, phenolic resin, and melamine. It
has a very low chemical resistance and
does not hold up well against acids, heat or moisture. The biggest advantage of these countertops is the
budget-friendly price. Plastic laminate
countertops are a good choice for dry working conditions such as technology labs.
WOOD
Edge grain maple bench tops, also known as
butcher block, are robust and forgiving
in physically demanding environments. Wood countertops are often finished with DURAKRYL 102. This is a tough,
acrylic coating that repels alcohol,
bleach and most household solvents. Butcher block is one of the few materials that can take hard wear
and tear, be resurfaced or repaired
without any special tools or particular skill, and end up looking brand new. Butcher block is ideal for physical
testing environments. It is suitable for use in
biological areas, but
has poor chemical resistance properties. It is,
of course, popular in test kitchens and
food laboratories. There are many other options for countertop materials:
Corian, marble or stone, concrete. Each
choice has it strengths and weaknesses. When specifying countertops for your laboratory workspace consider these
evaluation criteria:
~•Resistance to certain chemicals
~•Resistance to heat or open flame
~•Resistance to moisture, liquid, and
~•absorption
~•Load bearing capabilities
~•Impact and abrasion resistance
~•Electrical conductivity
~•Liquid containment
~•Maintenance
~•Availability
~•ADA compliance
~•Color options
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