3.4 Important Design Considerations – Expansion and Orientation
3.4.1 Thermal Expansion
Laminex Metaline splashback is an aluminium based composite material and will
therefore exhibit minor expansion and contraction behaviours during heating and
cooling. Thermal expansion must be considered when calculating dimensions and
allowances for joins between sheets and around edges.
Laminex Metaline splashbacks has a coefficient of expansion of 2.36 x 10
-5
m/°C
(0.0236mm/m/°C).
Allow a gap of 3mm between sheets when butt joining
them, and allow an edge gap of 3mm around all panels for caulking and
sealing.
3.5 Direction of Coil Coating
Metallic coatings have a reflective or pearlescent finish, which is oriented in
the longitudinal direction during the coil coating process. This gives the panel
“active colour” behaviour, dependent on the angle from which it is viewed.
Directional arrows are printed onto protective film and should be used to maintain
orientation correctness and avoid shading differences between adjacent panels.
This orientation must be taken into account when making panel optimisation
calculations.
Always use Laminex Metaline splashbacks panels from the same batch code for
a job, rather than mix panels. This will avoid any minor colour variations caused
by the coil coating process.
3.6 Health and Safety
3.6.1 Occupational Health and Safety
Laminex Metaline panels are heavy, with a 3600mm x 800mm sheet weighing
approximately 22kgs and a 3600mm x 1500mm sheetweighing approximately
41kgs. Both sheet sizes require assisted handling.
Manual handling
• Two person lift
• Lift on edge to avoid flexure bending
• Lift vertically orientated
Mechanical devices
• Vacuum lifting on flat side
• Transport on suitable flat trolley