Edge bands: tussle between price and quality

In cheap products, the primer application is extremely insufficient, the primer layer is very thin, and in some areas almost no primer has been applied.

The edge banding market is flooded with a range of cheap products of various origins, which are often preferred to save on cost. However, the matter does not end with price alone. What about quality?

The adhesion of the edge band to the surface directly affects the lifespan of the product. This adhesion strength is directly related to the quality and amount of primer applied to the surface.

When examined under ultra-violet light, the amount of primer applied can be seen more clearly, thanks to its fluorescent effect. It is clearly observed that in cheap products, the primer application is extremely insufficient, the primer layer is very thin, and in some areas almost no primer has been applied.

This situation seriously reduces adhesion strength and causes the band to peel off easily during use.

When both cheap and quality-tested products are applied to MDF surfaces using the same machine and the same adhesive and rested for 24 hours, one can test the resistance of the bands against peeling with a device.

Cheap products, due to insufficient primer application, show very low resistance against peeling and almost detach from the surface by themselves. The quality product, however, remained integrated with the surface. The difference is very clear – almost twice as much!

Quality primer means longer life. Against stresses caused by heat, humidity and time, this difference becomes even more apparent.

So far as tensile strength is concerned, it can be tested in accordance with ISO 527 standard on samples cut into dog-bone shapes. The results are quite clear: cheap edge bands break under very low force. The reason for this is the excessive use of filler material and the incomplete plasticisation process.

Stringent tests

When the edge bands are cut in half and filmed with a close-up camera, one can clearly see the inner structure. In the vertical cross-section examination, it is obvious that the cheap product has a non-homogeneous structure with a high concentration of fillers.

In the inorganic material analysis carried out in an ash furnace at 960°C, it was determined that cheap products contain approximately four times more inorganic material than the amount of filler used in quality products.

This reduces the flexibility of the product and makes it brittle. In addition, the excess inorganic material causes cutting blades in machines to dull much faster than normal.

Brittleness test performance in cold climates is of great importance. Resistance to stretching, impacts, and hot-cold differences during use is required. Bands that crack or do not flex in cold environments cause major problems during assembly.

In this test, cheap and quality products are cooled and tried to bend. The cheap edge band cracks quickly. The quality edge band, however, maintained its flexibility under the same conditions. It bent but did not break.

Inherent resistance

In long-term use of furniture, colour durability is a critical factor. Fading of colours on surfaces exposed to sunlight or fluorescent lighting is a serious issue. In this test, an outdoor simulation was performed using a xenon arc lamp, with temperature and humidity kept constant.

Both products were placed in a UV test device for 72 hours and evaluated. The printed cheap edge band turned yellow, and in the unprinted white edge band, the colour change became visibly noticeable.

Spectro-photometer measurements showed that in cheap products, especially the white sample, the colour difference ΔE value was found to be 2.7.
The quality product, however, showed high lightfastness and retained colour. The measured colour difference ΔE value was only 0.3.

Chemicals used during cleaning can cause colour bleeding and dullness on weak surfaces. Glossmeter measurements taken before and after the test showed dullness on the surface after applying chemicals.

When bleach was applied to the surfaces the cheap edge band showed significant dullness and paint fading. In the quality product, however, no change was observed on the surface.

Cheap products may seem attractive at first glance. Although they may appear as savings in the short term, in the long run, they cost more due to labour loss, risk of malfunction, aesthetic problems, and customer dissatisfaction.

Edge banding is not just a plastic strip; it means quality, continuity, and production safety. Quality production is sustainable success.

Products that look similar on the surface may have completely different internal structures. What matters is not what is bought cheaply, but what lasts long and is of high quality. As a result, one must consider not only the price but also the quality. (Courtesy: www.tece.com.tr)

 

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