# Solid surface material
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{{Short description|Artificial material used for countertops}}
thumb|Solid surface material kitchen countertop
'''Solid surface material''', also known as '''solid surface composite''',[{{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}} ] that year, and was patented in 1968.[ Corian consists of a blend of [alumina trihydrate](/source/alumina_trihydrate), [acrylic resin](/source/acrylic_resin) and various pigments. Originally marketed as a [countertop](/source/countertop) material for both residential and commercial applications, it has since been used in many other applications including furniture.][{{cite book | last1 =Kaner | first1 =Jake | last2 =Edwards | first2 =Clive | authorlink = | title = Conservation of Twentieth-Century Furniture| publisher =[Taylor & Francis](/source/Taylor_%26_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=}}]
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,[{{cite book | last = Binggeli| first = Corey| authorlink = | title = Materials for Interior Environments | publisher =[Wiley](/source/Wiley_(publisher)) | 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=}}] Avonite, Hanex,[{{cite book | last1 =Postell | first1 =Jim | last2 =Gesimondo | first2 =Nancy | last3 =Postell | first3 =James Christopher | authorlink = | title = Materiality and Interior Construction| publisher =[Wiley](/source/Wiley_(publisher)) | 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=}}] HIMACS, Staron, and Surrell.[{{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=}}] Some of these brands used different resins such as polyester which have different performance characteristics[{{cite book | last =Hess-Kosa | first =Kathleen | authorlink = | title =Building Materials: Product Emission and Combustion Health Hazards | publisher =[CRC Press](/source/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=}}] and some are no longer on the market. Solid surface materials are usually approximately 70% aluminum trihydrate.[{{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](/source/Archives_of_Environmental_%26_Occupational_Health) |year=2022 |volume=78 |issue=2 |pages=118–126 |doi= 10.1080/19338244.2022.2105287 |pmid=35912480 |pmc=9909587}}]
Solid surface materials are available in a wide variety of colors and patterns.[{{cite book | last =Peters | first =Rick | authorlink = | title =Remodeling for Easy-access Living | publisher =[Hearst Books](/source/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=}}] Some of the patterns emulate [granite](/source/granite) and [marble](/source/marble),[ while other patterns are original. The most common thickness is 1/2" (13 mm)][ although other thicknesses are available for other applications, such as tub and shower surrounds.][{{cite book | last = | first = | authorlink = | title =Around the Home & Yard: More Than 800 Tips and Projects | publisher =[Creative Publishing International](/source/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=}}]
These products are non-porous, sanitary, moderately heat resistant and repairable. Versions of solid surface materials based on acrylic resins can be [thermoformed](/source/Thermoforming) into components of various curved shapes.[
==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.][{{cite book | last =Binggeli | first =Corey | authorlink = | title = Interior Graphic Standards: Student Edition| publisher =[Wiley](/source/Wiley_(publisher)) | 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=}}] 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](/source/pulmonary_fibrosis) was reported in 2014 in association with long-term exposure.