{{Short description|Artificial material used for countertops}} thumb|Solid surface material kitchen countertop
'''Solid surface material''', also known as '''solid surface composite''',<ref name=Mandler /> is an artificial composite material usually combining alumina trihydrate (ATH), acrylic, epoxy or polyester resins and pigments. It is most frequently used for seamless countertop installations.
A solid surface material was first introduced by DuPont in 1967 under the name of Corian. Since the expiration of their patent other manufacturers have entered the market with their own branded products. These include Krion by Porcelanosa Group, HIMACS by LX Hausys, Hanex Solid Surface by Hyundai L&C, Staron by Lotte Chemical, Evo Surfaces and Velstone.
==History and characteristics==
DuPont created and marketed the first solid surface material in 1967, trademarked as Corian. The product was invented by DuPont biochemist Don Slocum<ref>{{cite news | last = | first = | title =Dr. Don Slocum, Inventor of Corian Surfacing, Dies | newspaper =Kitchen & Bath Design News | location = | pages = | language = | publisher = | date =April 8, 2008 | url =https://www.kitchenbathdesign.com/dr-don-slocum-inventor-of-ae%CB%9Ccorianae-surfacing-dies/ | accessdate =November 26, 2024}} </ref> that year, and was patented in 1968.<ref name=CTCF/> Corian consists of a blend of alumina trihydrate, acrylic resin and various pigments. Originally marketed as a countertop material for both residential and commercial applications, it has since been used in many other applications including furniture.<ref name=CTCF>{{cite book | last1 =Kaner | first1 =Jake | last2 =Edwards | first2 =Clive | authorlink = | title = Conservation of Twentieth-Century Furniture| publisher =Taylor & Francis | chapter = 6.4 Corian | series = | volume = | edition = | date =2024 | location = | pages = | language = | chapter-url =https://books.google.com/books?id=LpEaEQAAQBAJ&dq=Don+Slocum+DuPont+Corian&pg=PT121 | doi = | id = | isbn =9781135144487 | quote=}}</ref>
thumb|right|Samples of Corian, a solid surface material, showing some of the possible colors and patterns Other companies introduced competing products of greater or lesser similarity. Competitors included Gibraltar, Fountainhead,<ref name=MIE>{{cite book | last = Binggeli| first = Corey| authorlink = | title = Materials for Interior Environments | publisher =Wiley | series = | volume = | edition = | date =2008 | location = | pages =275–276 | language = | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=XgbguEkYT_0C&dq=Solid+surface+countertops&pg=PA275 | doi = | id = | isbn =9780470114285 | quote=}}</ref> Avonite, Hanex,<ref>{{cite book | last1 =Postell | first1 =Jim | last2 =Gesimondo | first2 =Nancy | last3 =Postell | first3 =James Christopher | authorlink = | title = Materiality and Interior Construction| publisher =Wiley | series = | volume = | edition = | date = 17 June 2011| location = | pages =353–355 | language = | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=mQoGPi0dBtUC&dq=Solid+surface+countertops&pg=PA354 |doi = | id = | isbn = 9781118019719 | quote=}}</ref> HIMACS, Staron, and Surrell.<ref name=GBGE>{{cite book | last1 =MacLellan | first1 =David E. | last2 =Wolfson | first2 = George E.| authorlink = | title = California Building Performance Guidelines for Residential Construction and Homeowner Maintenance Guide |publisher = Homeowners Education Association| series = | volume = | edition = | date =2003 | location = | pages =143 | language = | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=ACIdc3ICmcUC&dq=Solid+surface+countertops&pg=PA143 | doi = | id = | isbn =9780971196902 | quote=}}</ref> Some of these brands used different resins such as polyester which have different performance characteristics<ref>{{cite book | last =Hess-Kosa | first =Kathleen | authorlink = | title =Building Materials: Product Emission and Combustion Health Hazards | publisher =CRC Press | chapter = Countertops |series = | volume = | edition = | date = 7 April 2017| location = | pages = | language = | chapter-url =https://books.google.com/books?id=t--fDgAAQBAJ&dq=Solid+surface+countertops&pg=RA1-PT119 | doi = | id = | isbn =9781315354088 | quote=}}</ref> and some are no longer on the market. Solid surface materials are usually approximately 70% aluminum trihydrate.<ref name=Mandler>{{cite journal |author= W. Kyle Mandler, Chaolong Qi, Yong Qian |title=Hazardous dusts from the fabrication of countertop: a review |journal=Archives of Environmental & Occupational Health |year=2022 |volume=78 |issue=2 |pages=118–126 |doi= 10.1080/19338244.2022.2105287 |pmid=35912480 |pmc=9909587}}</ref>
Solid surface materials are available in a wide variety of colors and patterns.<ref>{{cite book | last =Peters | first =Rick | authorlink = | title =Remodeling for Easy-access Living | publisher =Hearst Books | series = | volume = | edition = | date =2006 | location = | pages =106 | language = | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=VFMMNLNCR3AC&q=Solid+su7rface+countertops&pg=PA106 | doi = | id = | isbn =9781588164650 | quote=}}</ref> Some of the patterns emulate granite and marble,<ref name=CTCF/> while other patterns are original. The most common thickness is 1/2" (13 mm)<ref name=MIE/> although other thicknesses are available for other applications, such as tub and shower surrounds.<ref>{{cite book | last = | first = | authorlink = | title =Around the Home & Yard: More Than 800 Tips and Projects | publisher =Creative Publishing International | series = | volume = | edition = | date = 2000| location = | pages =58–59 | language = | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=zJzRFkNEYjMC&q=solid+surface+tub+enclosure | doi = | id = | isbn =9780865734869 | quote=}}</ref>
These products are non-porous, sanitary, moderately heat resistant and repairable. Versions of solid surface materials based on acrylic resins can be thermoformed into components of various curved shapes.<ref name=CTCF/>
==Fabrication and installation==
Standards for properly working with solid surface materials are well established within the construction industry. These include procedures for creating inconspicuous seams, built-up decorative edges and various styles of backsplashes, and for installing sinks, including integral solid surface sinks.<ref name=MIE/><ref name=GBGE/><ref name=IGS>{{cite book | last =Binggeli | first =Corey | authorlink = | title = Interior Graphic Standards: Student Edition| publisher =Wiley | series = | volume = | edition = | date =2011 | location = | pages =309 | language = | url =https://books.google.com/books?id=qePlJk8SRkoC&dq=Solid+surface+countertops&pg=PA309 | doi = | id = | isbn =9781118099353 | quote=}}</ref> The use of power tools with solid surface materials generates airborne dust, but any effect on health from exposure is poorly understood; one death from pulmonary fibrosis was reported in 2014 in association with long-term exposure.<ref name=Mandler />
==See also== *Engineered stone *Epoxy granite *Paper composite panels
==References== {{Reflist}}
== External links == *{{Cite web |title=International Surface Fabricators Association |url=https://www.isfanow.org/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=www.isfanow.org}} *{{Cite web |title=Kitchen & Bath Business {{!}} The Official KBIS Publication - KBB |url=https://kbbonline.com/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Kitchen & Bath Business |language=en-US}} *{{Cite web |title=Solid surface material|url=https://kbbonline.com/?s=Solid+surface |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=Kitchen & Bath Business |language=en-US}} *{{Cite web |date=2024-11-26 |title=Kitchen & Bath Design News – the industry's leading business, design and product resource for the kitchen and bath trade. |url=https://www.kitchenbathdesign.com/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |language=en-US}} *{{Cite web |date=2024-11-06 |title=ISFA's Countertops & Architectural Surfaces 2024-2025 Buyers' Guide by The International Surface Fabricators Association (ISFA) - Issuu |url=https://issuu.com/isfa/docs/isfa_bg_2024_finalweb |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=issuu.com |language=en}} *{{Cite web |title=Solid Surface Worktops At Trade Prices - DIY Kitchens |url=https://www.diy-kitchens.com/solid-surfaces/ |access-date=2024-12-03 |website=www.diy-kitchens.com}}
Category:Materials Category:Kitchen countertops