scope:

This part of ISO 4586 specifies the methods of test for determination of the properties of High-Pressure Decorative Laminates (HPL, HPDL) as defined in Clause 3. These methods are primarily intended for testing the sheets specified from ISO 4586‑3 to ISO 4586‑8[8] to[13].

In an effort to harmonize ISO 4586 with other High-Pressure Decorative Laminate standards, multiple methods may be published that demonstrate similar properties. In these instances, the same test method title is given and is annotated as either "Method A" or "Method B". This is the case in the following tests: Edge Squareness - 8/9, Dry Heat - 17/18 Dimensional Stability at Elevated Temperatures - 19/20, Dimensional Stability at Ambient Temperature - 21/22, Staining - 30/31, Lightfastness - 32/33, Cigarette Burns - 36/37, Formability - 38/39, and Blistering - 40/41. In these instances, either method may be utilized in testing. Compliance to both methods is not required. While these tests are similar they are by no means identical and results of one method do not necessarily correspond to the results of the accompanying test. In these situations, consult the documentation in specific sections of ISO 4586 for performance requirements. Each specific method has performance requirements particular to that method for individual grades of high-pressure decorative laminate.

The precision of the test methods specified in Clauses 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26, 40, and 41 of this part of ISO 4586 is not known because inter-laboratory data are not available. When inter-laboratory data are obtained, precision statements will be added to the test methods at the following revision. As all the other test methods have an end point determination based on subjective judgement, it is not meaningful to make a statement of precision in these cases.