EN 438-2

Introducing EN 438-2 – Industrial Physics 

EN 438-2 is an international testing standard for inspecting the resistant properties of high-pressure decorative laminates (HPL). 

High-pressure decorative laminates (HPL) are sheets that are based on thermosetting resins (usually called laminates). They’re one of the most durable decorative materials available and can feature special performance properties including chemical, fire and wear resistance.   

Who should use EN 438-2 decorative laminate testing?  

The EN 438-2 HPL decorative laminate testing standard is particularly useful for the following groups of people and organizations:  

• Architects  

• Building constructors  

• Civil engineers  

• Interior designers.  

What does the EN 438-2 HPL laminate testing standard cover?  

The EN 438-2 standard is useful in determining and identifying the resistant properties of high-pressure decorative laminates (HPL). Using EN 438-2 you can perform the following high-pressure decorative laminate tests:  

• Assessment of appearance  
• Determination of thickness and flatness  
• Determination of length and width  
• Determination of edge straightness and edge squareness  
• Determination of the micro scratch resistance  
• Dimensional stability at elevated temperature  
• Evaluation and expression of results   
• Formability 
• Lightfastness  
• Resistance to surface wear, abrasion and immersion in boiling water  
• Resistance to water vapor, wet conditions, dry heat, wet heat, climatic shock  
• Resistance to impact by small-diameter ball, large diameter ball, cracking under stress  
• Resistance to crazing, scratching, staining  
• Resistance to UV light, artificial weathering  
• Resistance to blistering   
• Substrate protection against water vapor.  

If you carry out these tests with the guidance in the EN 438-2 testing standard, then you can be confident of the quality of your high-pressure decorative laminate (HPL) products. 

Industrial Physics’ EN 438-2 laminate testing solutions

So, how can Industrial Physics improve your EN 438-2 laminate testing? 

TQC Sheen TABER Abraser 1700-1750
Taber abrasion is used to determine relative resistance to abrasion defined as ‘the ability of a material to withstand mechanical damage’ such as rubbing, scraping or erosion. 

The Taber Abraser is an industry standard used in the wear and durability testing of laminates, leather, parquet, metals, textiles, rubber, lacquered surfaces, carpets and coatings. 

We make a wide range of abrasion testing wheels to suit all sorts of abrasion testing standards including those included in EN 438-2 laminate testing. These include the Taber CS 17 abrasion wheels, the Taber CS 10 wheels or our CS-10F Calibrase® Wheel Set.

In our portfolio of abrasion testing products we also have various sandpaper options, including our Taber S-42 sandpaper strips (100pcs) or our Taber S 16 specimen plates (10pc). 

Need laminate testing solutions? Get in touch 

We’ve been making equipment for laminate testing for many years. We like to share our experience with our customers across the knowledgebase section of our website. 

For example, there’s this blog on exploring the tensile strength of composites. Then, you could try this one on shear strength testing, or this one on impact testing equipment. 

If you have any questions about EN 438-2 and how we can help you with any aspect of your laminate testing, then just get in touch!

Your global test and measurement partner for EN 438-2