TECHNICAL FIELD AND INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY OF THE INVENTION TMs invention relates generally to fire retardant, high pressure laminates and more particularly to a high pressure laminate complying with prEN 13823 and having a caloric value of lower than 3.0 MJ/kg when tested in accordance with ISO 1716.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION High pressure laminates (HPL) are well known in the art and HPL panels are used, for example, as wall linings, for furniture, facade cladding, bench tops and the like.

One of the most important parameters of HPL panels, especially in the building industry, is fire performance. Since 2003, all building materials in Europe must comply with prEN 13823 (reaction to fire tests for building products). This norm describes the Single Burning Item (SBI) test. Al and A2 classification of additional caloric value measurement according to ISO 1716 is required.

State of the art HPL panels are made fire retardant by using fire retardant kraft paper or by using a fire retardant phenol-formaldehyde resin. State of the art FR-HPL products have achieved an SBI classification of as high as B (above 3.0 MJ/kg when tested under ISO 1716).

HPL manufacturers have a strong desire for an SBI A2 classified HPL panel.

Such a classification would allow the manufacturers to expand the application range for their products and thereby penetrate additional markets. To date, this hasn't been achieved because no one has been able to meet the caloric value requirement and still achieve the desired mechanical properties and fire propagation characteristics. The present invention relates to the first HPL panel meeting all these requirements including those for A2 classification (below 3.0 MJ/kg when tested under ISO 1716). The present invention relates to a novel laminate characterized by improved fire and impact resistance.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The high pressure laminate of the present invention comprises a first layer of resin impregnated paper and at least one layer of fiber reinforced veil. Each layer of fiber reinforced veil includes both a secondary binder and a filler. The high pressure laminate is characterized by having a caloric value of lower than about 3.0 MJ/kg when tested in accordance with ISO 1716.

The laminate may further include a second layer of resin impregnated paper. In such an embodiment the layer or layers of fiber reinforced veil are sandwiched between the first and second layers of resin impregnated paper. In any of the possible embodiments the secondary binder is a heat curable resin. Suitable binders include but are not limited to self-crosslinkable polyacrylates, polyamide-amine epichlorohydrin resin (PAE), polyvinyl alcohol, acrylates, styrene acrylates, melamine-formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde, phenol-formaldehyde, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyesters, crosslinkable acrylic resin, polyurethane resin, epichlorohydrin-polyaminopolyamide resins, epichlorohydrin-polyamine resins, epichlorohydrin-polyamide resins and mixtures thereof.

The filler is typically selected from a group consisting of metal hydroxides, metal carbonates, titanium dioxide, calcined clay, barium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, zinc oxide, kaolin clay, chlorite, diatomite, feldspar, mica, nepheline syenite, pyrophyllite (aluminum silicate), silica, talc, wollastonite, montmorillonite (bentonite), hectorite, saponite, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, aluminum oxide, iron oxide, magnesium hydroxide, glass micro beads and mixtures thereof.

In one embodiment, the filler is selected from the group of of metal hydroxides, metal carbonates and mixtures thereof. A mixture of calcium carbonate and aluminum hydroxide is a particularly useful filler for the present invention. This is particularly true when the binder is melamine-formaldehyde.

Other fillers include aluminum trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide, melamine cyanurate, halogenated additive, antimony trioxide, metal hydroxide, metal carbonate, titanium dioxide, calcined clay, barium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, zinc oxide, kaolin clay, chlorite, diatomite, felspar, mica, nepheline syenite, pyrophyllite, silica, talc, wollastonite, montmorillonite, hectorite, saponite,

magnesium carbonate, aluminum oxide, iron oxide, glass microbeads, ethylenediaminephosphate, guanidinephosphates, melamine borate, melamine (mono, pyro, poly) phosphate, ammonium (mono, pyro, poly) phosphate, dicyandiamide condensates, general intumescent systems (systems which foam during fire and therefore generate in situ an insulating layer) and mixtures thereof.

In one possible embodiment each layer of fiber reinforced veil includes between about 1 and about 95 weight percent reinforcement fibers about 5 and about 50 weight percent melamine-formaldehyde, between about 10 and about 80 weight percent calcium carbonate and about 20 and about 90 weight percent aluminum hydroxide.

The fiber reinforced veil may be woven or nonwoven. Where multiple layers of fiber reinforced veil are provided, they may all be woven, they may all be nonwoven or the layers may be a mixture of woven and nonwoven. The fiber reinforced veil includes fibers selected from a group consisting of glass fibers, basalt fibers, metal fibers, inorganic fibers, silica fibers, carbide fibers, nitride fibers, carbon fibers and mixtures thereof. Glass fibers utilized for the fiber reinforced veil may be selected from a group of materials consisting of boron-free glass, E-glass, ECR-glass, C-glass, AR-glass, S2-glass and mixtures thereof.

The high pressure laminate of the present invention may be made more aesthetically appealing when the first layer of resin impregnated paper is a melamine impregnated decor paper. Further, the product may include a radiation cured paint film or coating such as a UV cured paint film or an electron beam cured paint film on an exposed face of the first layer of resin impregnated paper. In yet another alternative the product may include a thermally cross-linked urethane acrylate paint layer on an exposed face of the first layer of the resin impregnated paper.

In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention a method is provided for making a high pressure laminate. That method comprises pressing a first layer of resin impregnated paper and at least one layer of fiber reinforced veil together at a pressure of between about 525 N/m ^" and about 15,750 N/m while simultaneously heating the layers to a temperature of between about 120 degrees C and about 220 degrees C to form a laminate. In addition the method includes the step

of using a combination of secondary binder and filler to provide a caloric value of lower than 3.0 MJ/kg when the laminate is tested in accordance with ISO 1716.

The method may further include the selecting of the secondary binder from a group consisting of melamine-formaldehyde, phenol-formaldehyde, urea- formaldehyde, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyesters, cross-linkable acrylic resin, polyurethane resin, an epichlorohydrin-polyarninopolyamide resin, an epichlorohydrin-polyamine resin, an epichlorohydrin-polyamide resin and mixtures thereof. The filler may be selected from a group consisting of metal hydroxides, metal carbonates and mixtures thereof. In a particularly useful embodiment the filler is selected from a mixture of calcium carbonate and aluminum hydroxide.

In one possible embodiment the method includes the forming of the first layer of resin impregnated paper from melamine impregnated decor paper. In addition, the method may include the painting of an exposed face of the first layer of resin impregnated paper with a radiation cured paint. In yet another possible embodiment the method may include the painting of an exposed face of the first layer of resin impregnated paper with a thermally crosslinked urethane acrylate paint.

In another embodiment, the laminate of the present invention comprises a resin impregnated decorative layer, a fire barrier formed from a fiber reinforced veil and a layer of fiberboard. The layer of fiberboard in the laminate may be generally described as a wood- based panel. The fiberboard may be constructed from a material selected from the group consisting of high density fiberboard, medium density fiberboard, oriented strand board, chipboard and mixtures thereof. In addition, the laminate may include a layer of resin impregnated overlay paper overlying the resin impregnated decorative paper and/or a resin impregnated backing layer underlying the layer of fiberboard. Both the resin impregnated decorative layer and the resin impregnated backing layer may be made from a decorative paper of a type known in the art.

In this embodiment, the fiber reinforced veil includes between about 5 to about 95 weight percent reinforcement fibers, about 5 to about 75 weight percent binder and about 0 to about 80 weight percent filler. Following impregnation and

prior to pressing, the fiber reinforced veil has a weight per unit area of between about 20 and about 500 g/m .

The method of making the fiber board laminate comprises pressing a resin impregnated overlay layer, a resin impregnated decorative layer, a fire barrier formed from a fiber reinforced veil, a layer of fiberboard and a resin impregnated backing layer together at a pressure of between about 1050 N/m ² and about 5250 N/m ² while simultaneously heating to a temperature of between about 150 to about 225 degrees C for a time period of between about 10 to about 50 seconds. That method may be further described as including a step of providing a binder in the fiber reinforced veil selected from a group consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, acrylates, styrene acrylates, melamine-formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde, phenol-formaldehyde, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyesters, crosslinkable acrylic resin, polyurethane resin, polyamide- amine epichlorohydrin resin and mixtures thereof.

The laminate may be used in a laminate flooring application wherein the laminate is formed from boards having a wood basis such as chipboard, fiberboard including high and medium density fiberboard, and oriented strand board. Additional applications for the laminate include, but are not limited to, wall linings, ceilings, interior shop fittings, and decoration panels such as those found in ships, trains, and buildings. In the following description there is shown and described one possible embodiment of the invention simply by way of illustration of one of the modes best suited to carry out the invention. As it will be realized, the invention is capable of other different embodiments and its several details are capable of modification in various, obvious aspects all without departing from the invention. Accordingly, the drawings and descriptions will be regarded as illustrative in nature and not as restrictive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawing incorporated in and forming a part of this specification, illustrates several aspects of the present invention, and together with the description serves to explain certain principles of the invention. In the drawing:

Figure 1 is a side elevational view of one possible embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a side elevational view of a first alternative embodiment of the present invention. Figure 3 is a side elevational view of yet another possible embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 4a is a total heat release graph comparing two representative examples of the present invention with two representative state of the art products.

Figure 4b is a heat release rate graph comparing the same two representative examples of the present invention with two representative state of the art products.

Figure 5 is a side elevational view of one possible embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 6 shows the impact classification ratings using both the small ball impact test and the large ball impact test. Reference will now be made in detail to the present preferred embodiment of the invention, an example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Three embodiments of the high pressure laminate 10 of the present invention are illustrated in Figures 1-3. The high pressure laminate 10 may be generally described as comprising a first layer of resin impregnated paper and at least one layer of fiber reinforced veil,

Each layer of fiber reinforced veil further includes a secondary binder and filler so that the high pressure laminate is characterized by having a caloric value of lower than 3.0 MJ/kg when tested in accordance with ISO 1716. The term

"secondary binder" is defined as a binder which is applied in a second processing step which is discussed in more detail below.

As illustrated in the Figure 1 embodiment, the high pressure laminate 10 includes a first layer 12 of resin impregnated paper, such as melamine impregnated decor paper. In addition, the laminate 10 includes two layers 14, 16 of fiber reinforced veil.

Each layer 14, 16 of fiber reinforced veil is impregnated with a secondary binder and filler composition. The secondary binder is a heat curable resin. Typically, the secondary binder is selected from a group consisting of melamine- formaldehyde, phenol-formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyesters, cross-linkable acrylic resin, polyurethane resin, an epichlorohydrin- polyaminopolyamide resin, an epichlorohydrin-polyamine resin, an epichlorohydrin- polyamide resin and mixtures thereof.

The filler is selected from a group consisting of metal hydroxides, metal carbonates, titanium dioxide, calcined clay, barium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, zinc oxide, kaolin clay, chlorite, diatomite, feldspar, mica, nepheline syenite, pyrophyllite (aluminum silicate), silica, talc, wollastonite, montmorillonite (bentonite), hectorite, saponite, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, aluminum oxide, iron oxide, magnesium hydroxide, glass micro beads and mixtures thereof. Typically the filler is selected from a group consisting of metal hydroxides, metal carbonates and mixtures thereof. A mixture of calcium carbonate and aluminum hydroxide is particularly useful in the present invention. This is particularly true when used in conjunction with a melamine-formaldehyde binder. The particle size of the fillers typically ranges from about 0.3 μm to about 150 μm, more preferably between about 1 μm to about 75 μm, and most preferably between about 4 μm to about 50 μm.

The fiber reinforced veil includes reinforcing fibers selected from a group consisting of glass fibers, basalt fibers, inorganic fibers (carbide, nitride, etc.) and mixtures thereof. Glass fibers particularly useful in the present invention include E- glass (such as Advantex glass), ECR-glass, AR-glass, C-glass, M-glass, D-glass, S- glass, S2-glass and mixtures thereof. The fibers are typically chopped in lengths of between about 0.1 mm and 100 mm and may be in the forms of chopped strands, chopped rovings or chopped individual fibers or mixtures thereof. Where individual fibers are utilized, the diameter of those fibers is typically between about 3 and about 50 microns. The fiber reinforced veils, prior to impregnation of the secondary binder and fillers, contain up to about 95 weight percent glass fibers, preferably between about

75 to about 95 weight percent glass fibers, more preferably between about 78 to about 93 weight percent glass fibers, and most preferably between about 80 to about 92.5 weight percent glass fibers. Preferably, the fiber reinforced veil layer includes E- glass fibers. The fiber reinforced veil, prior to impregnation of the secondary binder composition and fillers, may include a binder, as mentioned above, preferably the binder is a polyvinyl alcohol. Preferably, the binder is present in the veil at a content of about 5 to about 25 percent by weight.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1 , the laminate 10 incorporates two layers 14, 16 of veil. Each veil layer 14, 16 may be woven or nonwoven. In the embodiment illustrated in Figure 1, both veil layers 14, 16 may be woven, both may be nonwoven or one may be woven while the other is nonwoven.

A particularly useful embodiment of the present invention incorporates one or more veil layers 14, 16 including between about 1 and about 95 weight percent reinforcement fibers, preferably between about 75 weight percent to about 95 weight percent reinforcement fibers, more preferably between about 78 to about 93 weight percent reinforcement fibers, most preferably between about 80 to about 92.5 weight percent reinforcement fibers, prior to impregnation of the secondary binder composition and fillers. The veil layers also contain between about 2 to about 50 weight percent, preferably between about 5 to about 25 weight percent melamine- formaldehyde secondary binder and at least one filler in the amount of between about 10 and about 80 weight percent, preferably between about 17.5 to about 65 weight percent calcium carbonate and about 20 to about 90 weight percent, preferably about 35 to about 70 weight percent aluminum hydroxide. As further illustrated in Figure 1, the laminate 10 may be made more aesthetically pleasing by including a radiation curable paint such as an electron beam cured or UV cured paint film 18 on an otherwise exposed face of the first layer of resin impregnated paper 12. Alternatively, the layer 18 may comprise a thermally cross-linked urethane acrylate paint. An alternative embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in Figure 2.

In this embodiment, the high pressure laminate 10 includes a single fiber reinforced

veil layer 20 sandwiched between first and second layers 22, 24 of resin impregnated paper. The laminate 10 of Figure 2 may also include a layer 26 of radiation cured paint such as an electron beam cured or UV cured paint film or a thermally cross- linked urethane acrylate paint. The layer 26 is, however, optional. In still another embodiment illustrated in Figure 3, the laminate 10 may include a first layer 28 of resin impregnated paper, six intermediate layers 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 of fiber reinforced veil and a second layer 42 of resin impregnated paper. The Figure 3 embodiment may also include an optional layer 44 comprising a radiation cured paint such as an electron beam or UV cured paint film or a thermally cross-linked urethane acrylate paint layer for enhanced aesthetic appearance.

It should be appreciated that the resin impregnated paper layers 22, 24, 28 and 42 of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 are similar or identical to the resin impregnated paper layer 12 of the first embodiment illustrated in Figure 1. Similarly, the fiber reinforced veil layers 20, 30, 32, 34, 36, 38, 40 of the embodiments illustrated in Figures 2 and 3 are also identical or similar to the veil layers 14, 16 of the Figure 1 embodiment. As illustrated, the laminate 10 of the present invention may include any number of fiber reinforced veil layers while still meeting the fire propagation, caloric value and mechanical properties of any particular end product application. Typically, each fiber reinforced veil layer is a prepreg or ready-to-mold sheet of woven or nonwoven reinforcement fibers impregnated with a resin binder and stored for subsequent use such as the final construction of the laminate product by a manufacturer.

Any water-based, wet strength binder known in the art could be used. Useful binders include but are not limited to the following polyvinyl alcohol, (partially hydrolyzed) polyvinyl acetate, acrylic polymers and copolymers, crosslinkable acrylic polymers and copolymers, polynierizable polyfunctional N-methylol compounds, notably N-methylol ureas such as dimethylol urea and N-methylol melamine type resins, melamine formaldehyde, phenol formaldehyde, furfuryl formaldehyde, resorcinol formaldehyde, styrene butadiene copolymer latices, cationic polyamideepichlorohydrin, aminoresins, epoxyresins, polystyrene emulsion binder,

polycarboxylic acid based binders, other latiees and/or acrylic polymers or copolymers like acrylamide, ethylene vinyl acetate/vinyl chloride, alkyl aerylate polymer,styrene-butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile polymer, polyurethane resins, polyvinyl chloride, polyvinylidene chloride, copolymers of vinylidene chloride with other monomers, polyvinyl acetate, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, polyester resins, aerylate emulsion resin, styrene aerylate. More preferably, the binder is polyvinyl alcohol.

The prepreg is impregnated with the secondary binder and filler composition. The secondary binder and filler composition preferably includes between about 2 to about 30 weight percent glass, in addition to the glass already present in the prepreg, more preferably between about 3 to about 25 weight percent glass, and most preferably between about 4 to about 20 weight percent glass. The prepreg also contains between about 5 to about 25 weight percent secondary binder, preferably between about 7 to about 20 weight percent secondary binder, most preferably between about 8 to about 18 weight percent secondary binder. The prepreg also contains between about 50 to about 93 weight percent fillers, more preferably between about 55 to about 90 weight percent fillers and most preferably between about 60 to about 88 weight percent total fillers.

Typically the filler is a mixture of metal hydroxide and metal carbonate at a ratio of between about 1 :0.01 and about 1:100. Preferably, the metal hydroxide aluminum hydroxide and is present in the prepreg the amount of between about 20 to about 90 weight percent, more preferably between about 30 to about 80 weight percent, and most preferably between about 35 to about 70 weight percent. The preferred metal carbonate is calcium carbonate and is present in the prepreg in the amount of about 10 to about 80 weight percent, more preferably about 15 to about 70 weight percent and most preferably between about 17.5 to about 65 weight percent.

The particle size of the fillers typically ranges from about 0.3 μm to about 150 μm, more preferably between about 1 μm to about 75 μm, and most preferably between about 4 μm to about 50 μm.

Following impregnation, and before pressing, a typical fiber reinforced veil prepreg will have a total weight per unit area of between about 250 g/m and about 2000 g/m ² , a density of between about 500 kg/m ³ and about 2000 kg/m ³

The high pressure laminate 10 is constructed by pressing a first layer of resin impregnated paper and at least one layer of fiber reinforced veil together at a pressure of between about 525 N/m ² and about 15,750 N/m ² (about 5 and about 150 bar) while simultaneously heating the layers to a temperature of between about 120 degrees C and about 220 degrees C to form the laminate. In addition the method includes the step of using a combination of binder and filler to provide a caloric value of lower than 3.0 MJ/kg when the laminate is tested in accordance with ISO 1716. This allows one to produce an HPL panel or product with an SBI A2 classification.

In order to achieve this end, the secondary binder is selected from a group consisting of melamine-formaldehyde, phenol-formaldehyde, urea- formaldehyde, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyesters, cross-linkable acrylic resin, polyurethane resin, an epichlorohydrin-polyaminopolyamide resin, an epichlorohydrin-polyamine resin, an epichlorohydrin-polyamide resin and mixtures thereof. The filler is selected from a group of materials consisting of metal hydroxides, metal carbonates, titanium dioxide, calcined clay, barium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, zinc oxide, kaolin clay, chlorite, diatomite, feldspar, mica, nepheline syenite, pyrophyllite (aluminum silicate), silica, talc, wollastonite, montmorillonite (bentonite), hectorite, saponite, calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, aluminum oxide, iron oxide, magnesium hydroxide, glass micro beads and mixtures thereof. Typically, the filler is selected from a group consisting of metal hydroxides, metal carbonates and mixtures thereof. Calcium carbonate and aluminum hydroxide are particularly useful in this method.

In order to further enhance the aesthetic appeal of the product, the method may also include forming the first layer of resin impregnated paper from melamine impregnated decor paper. Further, the method may include painting an exposed face of the first layer of resin impregnated paper with electron beam cured paint. Alternatively the method may include painting an exposed face of the first layer of resin impregnated paper with a thermally crosslinked urethane acrylate paint.

Example 1

Five samples of a high pressure laminate of the present invention were prepared. In the first (Example 1), five fiber reinforced glass veils were sandwiched between two layers of melamine formaldehyde impregnated decorative paper.

The glass fiber utilized in the glass veils was E-glass having a fiber diameter of 11 microns and a length of 10 mm. The glass veils each had a weight per unit area of 100 g/m ² . The glass veils included a poly vinyl alcohol binder at a content of 16 weight percent.

The decorative paper layers each had a weight per unit area of 160 g/m including 80 g/m ² base weight paper and 80 g/m ² melamine formaldehyde resin. The stacked layers of glass veil were then impregnated with a secondary binder and filler formulation including 21 weight percent phenol formaldehyde, 26 weight percent calcium carbonate and 53 weight percent aluminum hydroxide. The final glass veil weight was 1000 g/m .

The stacked layers were pressed together at a pressure of 100 kg/cm" at a temperature of 150 degrees C for 20 minutes to produce a 2.96 mm thick laminate.

In the second (Example 2), five fiber reinforced glass veils were sandwiched between a layer of melamine formaldehyde decorative paper and a layer of phenol formaldehyde impregnated kraft paper.

The glass fibers utilized in the Example 2 product were E-glass having a fiber diameter of 13 microns and a length of 11 mm. The glass veils each had a weight per unit area of 50 g/m ² and included a poly vinyl alcohol binder at a content of 14 weight percent.

The stacked layers of glass veil were impregnated with a secondary binder and filler formulation of 15 weight percent melamine formaldehyde, 20 weight percent calcium carbonate and 65 weight percent aluminum hydroxide. The final glass veil weight was 900 g/m ^" .

The stacked layers of the Example 2 product were pressed together at a pressure of 50 kg/cm at a temperature of 145 degrees C for 20 minutes in order to produce a 3 mm thick laminate. Additional Examples 3, 4 and 5 of the present invention are presented in Table

1 below along with Examples 1 and 2. Additionally, the Table includes corresponding measurements for representative state of the art HPL (std HPL) and

state of the art FR-HPL (fire retardant HPL) products for purposes of comparison. Test results for each of these Examples 1-5 and the state of the art products std HPL and FR-HPL are presented (where available) in Table 2. Relevant total heat release (THR) and heat release rate (HRR) curves are illustrated respectively in Figures 4a and 4b.

TABLE 2

Reference is now made to Figure 5 illustrating one possible embodiment of the laminate 46 of the present invention. As illustrated the laminate 46 includes a resin impregnated overlay paper 48 overlying a resin impregnated decorative layer 50. The decorative layer 50 overlies a first fire barrier formed from a fiber reinforced veil 52. The veil 52 overlies a layer of fiberboard 54. Finally, a backing layer 56 underlies the fiberboard 54. The laminate 46 may also include a second fire barrier, formed from a fiber reinforced veil 58, between the fiberboard 54 and the backing layer 56. This second veil 58 further enhances the fire retardant properties of the laminate 46 and insures that heat is transferred at about the same rate from the top or the bottom.

The fiber reinforced veil 52 may include fibers selected from a group consisting of glass fibers, basalt fibers, metal fibers, inorganic fibers, silica fibers, carbide fibers, nitride fibers, carbon fibers and mixtures thereof. Where glass fibers are utilized in the fiber reinforced veil, they may, for example, be selected from a group of fibers including boron-free glass, E-glass, ECR-glass, C-glass, AR-glass, S2-glass and mixtures thereof. Advantex® glass fibers, commercially available from Owens Corning (Toledo, OH), may be used.

The fiber reinforced veils 52 and 58 following resin impregnation includes between about 5 to about 95 weight percent reinforcement fibers, about 5 to about 75 weight percent resin/binder and 0 to about 80 weight percent filler. The binder utilized may be a B-stageable resin which may be reactivated during the pressing step to reach its final properties. The binder may be selected from a group of resins consisting of polyvinyl alcohol, acrylates, styrene acrylates, melamine-formaldehyde, urea-formaldehyde, phenol-formaldehyde, epoxy resin, unsaturated polyesters, crosslinkable acrylic resin, polyurethane resin, polyamide-amine epichlorohydrin resin and mixtures thereof. The filler utilized in the fiber reinforced veil 16 may be selected from a group consisting of aluminum trihydrate, magnesium hydroxide, melamine cyanurate, halogenated additive, antimony trioxide, metal hydroxide, metal carbonate, titanium dioxide, calcined clay, barium sulfate, magnesium sulfate, aluminum sulfate, zinc oxide, kaolin clay, chlorite, diatomϊte, felspar, mica, nepheline syenite, pyrophyllite, silica, talc, wollastonite, montmorillonite, hectorite, saponite.

calcium carbonate, magnesium carbonate, aluminum oxide, iron oxide, glass microbeads, ethylenediaminephosphate, guanidinephosphates, melamine borate, melamine (mono, pyro, poly) phosphate, ammonium (mono, pyro, poly) phosphate, dicyandiamide condensates, general intumescent systems (systems which foam during fire and therefore generate in situ an insulating layer) and mixtures thereof. Advantageously, the fire barrier formed from the fiber reinforced veil 16 imparts improved fire retarding and impact characteristics to the laminate above and beyond those achieved with wood based laminates of the prior art not incorporating a fire barrier of fiber reinforced veil. The fiber reinforced veils 52 and 58 are typically constructed from non woven glass fibers or mixed fibers. The veils 52,58 may include directionally oriented fibers if desired. Both continuous and chopped fibers may be utilized. The continuous fibers typically have a diameter of between about 3 and about 30. The chopped fibers typically have a length of between about 2 and about 100 mm and a diameter of between about 3 and about 30 μm. The fiber reinforced veil 52 following impregnation and prior to pressing typically has a weight per unit area of between about 20 and about 500 g/m ² .

The fiberboard 54 utilized in the present laminate is a wood based panel. The fiberboard 54 may, for example, be made from materials including high density fiberboard, medium density fiberboard, oriented strand board, chipboard and mixtures thereof.

The decorative layer 50 and backing layer 56 may be made from decorative paper as is known in the art. The overlay paper 48 may be made from cellulose as is also known in the art. The overlay paper 48, the decorative layer 48 and the backing layer 56 may all be impregnated with the same resin/binder as the fiber reinforced veil 46.

The laminate 46 is made by pressing the resin impregnated overlay layer 48, the resin impregnated decorative layer 50, the first fire barrier formed from the resin impregnated, fiber reinforced veil 52, the layer of fiberboard 54, the second fire barrier formed from the resin impregnated fiber reinforced veil 58 (if present) and the resin impregnated backing layer 56 together at a pressure of between about 1050 N/'m ² and about 5250 N/m ² while simultaneously heating to a temperature of between

about 150 to about 225 degrees C for a time period of between about 10 to about 50 seconds. Such processing may be completed in-line utilizing equipment that is presently available in the commercial marketplace.

Example 2

Table 3 shows fifteen samples of glass veil, prior to impregnation with additional binder and a flame retarder. All samples contain a poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) binder. The glass fibers in the veil include Advantex® glass fibers manufactured by Owens Corning, Toledo, OH, USA.

TABLE 3

Table 4 shows samples 1-15 after they have been impregnated with additional binder and flame retardant. The "Add on" column shows the amount of fire retarder/filler per m2 impregnated into each sample.

TABLE 4

Table 5 shows the fire properties of samples 1-15 when each of the samples were exposed to flame. Samples 1-15 were lit above a Bunsen burner where the flame temperature reached about 950 °C. Distance to the flame was fixed, about 20

mm, for all the samples to ensure that the samples were exposed to the same temperature. Samples were observed for smoke development then the samples were removed from the flame and observed for self-extinguishing behavior.

TABLE 5

*Smoke development: "Self-extinguishing behavior

— : no smoke development +: poor self-extinguishing properties

-: hardly any smoke development ++: moderate self-extinguishing properties

+: moderate smoke development +++: significant self-extinguishing properties

++: significant smoke development

The samples were then placed at a fixed distance, about 10 mm, above a Bunsen burner (Flame temperature at about 950 ⁰ C) and the time (in seconds) was recorded when the flame burned through the veil samples.

Flooring laminate examples

Specimens 7 and 14 were evaluated as an effective fire barrier in a laminate flooring panel. An unmodified flooring laminate was taken as a reference. The laminate flooring panels were evaluated on impact resistance and fire resistance. Method of making the laminate flooring panel:

Specimens 7 and 14 were impregnated with melamine resin to ensure a good bonding with the decorative paper and with the fiber board. Specimens 7 and 14 were impregnated to final weights of approximately 150 g/m2.

The melamine-impregnated specimens 7 and 14 were pressed (function as a fire barrier between the decorative paper and the fiber board) onto the 8 mm high density fiber board (pressing conditions: 180 ⁰ C ; 40 kg/cm2; 20 s) to produce the laminate flooring panel. The final laminate flooring panel was subjected to two critical tests; impact resistance and fire resistance and tested with a reference laminate flooring panel, see Table 6.

TABLE 6

As shown in Table 6, laminate flooring panels A, B and C were tested using the small and large ball impact tests described below. In the small ball impact test, the panels with their decorative surfaces were subjected to the impact of a 5 mm steel ball mounted at one end of a spring-loaded bolt. The minimum spring force (N) needed to cause visible damage was used to measure resistance to impact. In the large ball impact test, the laminate flooring panels A, B and C were covered with a sheet of carbon paper and subjected to the impact of a large steel ball (324 g; diameter of 42.8 mm) which was allowed to fall from a known height. In the large ball test, the height is increased in 50 mm intervals until the ball creates an impact imprint larger than 10 mm. This height determines the large ball impact resistance in mm. Impact resistance is expressed as the maximum drop height (mm) wiiich can be

achieved without incurring visible surface cracking or producing an imprint greater than a 10 mm diameter.

Fire resistance

The Epiradiateur test (NF P 92-501) is the national fire test for France and is mandatory for many building and construction materials.

The size of the specimens (7 and 14) tested was 300 mm x 400 mm x max 120 mm and the specimens w ^r ere positioned at an incline of 45° on an 8 mm fixed, self- supporting frame. The specimens were ignited, from above and below, using an electrical radiator (inclined at 45°) at 500 W. Two butane pilot flames were used to ignite the fiber board panels above and below the specimen for 20 minutes?

Fig. 6 shows the impact classification ratings using both the small ball impact test and the large ball impact test.

The foregoing description of a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. For example, the second fire barrier and the backing layer could be combined into a single layer if desired.

The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally and equitably entitled. The drawings and preferred embodiment do not and are not intended to limit the ordinary meaning of the claims and their fair and broad interpretation in any way.