What Is A Balanced Laminate

Balanced laminate typically when we just say balanced we mean w r t the in plane deformation a16 a26 0 and shear extension deformation is decoupled.

What is a balanced laminate.

Balanced laminate a composite laminate in which all laminate at angles other than 0o and 90o occur only in pairs not necessarily adjacent and are symmetrical around the centerline. Balanced construction unbalanced construction laminate countertops. Balanced laminates a laminate is balanced when it consists of pairs of layers of the same thickness and material where the angles of the plies are θand θ. An example of a balanced laminate is 0 45 45 90 45 45 0 whereas an unbalanced laminate would be 0 45 45 90 45 45 90.

The orientation of the plies ie 0 45 90 degrees will depend on the application and the load conditions of the laminate. Balance is what matters. Countertops or cabinet members on the other hand merely require some form of balancing material. If you use melamine and you re caught by a sharp architect or gc you could get to do it over again.

Firstly a perfunctory definition is in order regarding a balanced laminate. A balanced laminate is one that for every θ ply in the lay up there is an equivalent θ ply in the lay up. Laminate orientation code repeating groups of plies within a laminate can be placed in parentheses. I used to use melamine laminate a long time ago we just prefer laying up laminate to liner it s faster for us.

1 an unbalanced laminate countertop is one that does not have backer applied to the underside of the countertop core substrate. With two sheets of plywood same thickness orientation and even number of plys is balanced. Awi qs is firm on using balanced construction which means laminate to laminate or cabinet liner. A designer will need to ensure that for every α ply there is a α ply with the same material and thickness somewhere within stacking sequence irrespective of location.

Laminate fabrication vary with the product. Angle plies for example are good for carrying shear loads while 0 and 90 are good for carrying tensile and compressive loads. With a single sheet of plywood an odd number of plys is balanced. Flexurally balanced is where d16 d26 0 and bend twist coupling does not exist.