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Laboratory work surfaces have unique requirements. While there are some materials that are familiar to many and have a proven performance in the labs there are also relatively new materials that should be considered. It is not complicated but it can be confusing. We can assist you in understanding which material has the properties best suited for your application and what suits your budget. No matter which you choose our goal is to provide a high quality laboratory work surface that will endure and provide you with the best return on your investment.
The most commonly used materials for work surfaces in laboratories are epoxy resin, phenolic resin and stainless steel. All are exceptional materials for the laboratory environment and each provides specific benefits. We provide more technical information on our Technical page of our website. Another very valuable resource is the Scientific Equipment & Furniture Association (SEFA) Recommended Practices for Laboratory Work Surfaces, known as SEFA 3.
Scroll down the page for more details and comparisons of the materials available. Still uncertain which material is right for you? Contact us and as part of our free design services we will walk you through your options.
The most common question is: should I use Epoxy Resin or Phenolic Resin lab work tops? The Phenolic vs Epoxy Resin Work Surface question is one of the most common online searches. The chart above demonstrates some very basic comparisons but there is more nuance to the choice. They are really pretty equal in performance. Epoxy has the advantage of heat resistance being a little better but heat is not a strong a criteria as it might have been in the past. The kind of heat we are talking about is pretty hot and not many facilities are using this much heat on a bench top. Another factor is familiarity. Isn't there some sort of saying that no one got fired for choosing Windows? There is something to this that applies here. Seems like Epoxy it the blue jeans of the labs and many are comfortable with it.
So to dig a little deeper into the details.....yes, Epoxy Resin is more heat resistant. Phenolic while still pretty heavy and substantial is lighter. That is good because it is easier (more safe) for installers or your staff working with re-configuring. Phenolic is considered more "green". Trespa panels contain up tp 70% natural fibers. Trespa products can potentially contribute to the LEED program for the Material Reuse and the Indoor Environmental category Phenolic is easier to machine. This is good if a modification in the field is needed but also because you can machine a little bit faster, which reduces cost. Historically Phenolic is a little bit less expensive and seems to have less fluctuations in price. One more tip of the hat to Epoxy......through colors. Your edge is the same as the tops color.
Now it's up to you to choose. There are no bad choices.
TopLab®PLUS is the perfect surface for quality worktops with inherent antibacterial properties and highly resistant to a wide variety of aggressive chemicals. Trespa panels are slightly lighter in weight than epoxy resin and provide interesting design capabilities.
When a project requires phenolic resin lab tops A.T. Villa only sells Trespa TopLab Plus. A.T. Villa has been selling Trespa products for decades. Trespa has set the standard for quality and value. Their products meet and exceed the crucial testing criteria of SEFA. Many companies and dealers sell lesser known brands. Be sure to specify and verify Trespa for your project.
Manufactured with Trespa’s unique Electron Beam Curing (EBC) technology, Trespa® Toplab®PLUS surface is easy to clean and shows a high resistance to a large number of aggressive chemicals. It also has inherent antibacterial properties without the addition of microbial additives. Trespa® Toplab®PLUS panels provide an ideal choice in environments where hygiene, avoidance of contamination, sustainability, ergonomics and safety are of importance. Trespa® Toplab®PLUS is extensively used in a wide variety of lab environments worldwide, including chemical, physical, analytical and microbiological laboratories.
The Trespa® TopLab®PLUS product line is enriched with the introduction of T70.0.0 Slate Grey with grey core. The new core provides greater design freedom, while maintaining Trespa® TopLab®PLUS inherent hygienic and chemical resistant properties.
Epoxy resin is ubiquitous in laboratories. Epoxy has been in use in laboratories for decades. It is excellent for harsh environments, providing high chemical resistance, durabilty and heat resistance.
Epoxy Resin work surfaces can be custom fabricated to your needs. Many colors are avilable but just like the attire of Johnny Cash, labs just wear black so well.
Epoxy resin sinks that match your tops are also available.
Stainless steel laboratory bench tops are ideal for sterile lab environments, including biomedical, pharmaceutical and food development applications. Stainless steel offers superior heat and chemical resistance, as well as unsurpassed longevity. Well-maintained stainless steel can last for decades without needing replacement.
The added cost of installing stainless steel is often mitigated by the supreme longevity the surface provides.
Integrated sinks and custom designs are a strength of stainless steel as a material.
High pressure laminate can be a cost effective and attractive choice for certain laboratory work top areas. High pressure laminate is actually a thin layer of phenolic resin that is very impact resistant and offers a wide range of color choices and interesting design possibilities. ESD (electro-static dissipation) tops are also available in laminate for laboratories working with sensitive electronics.
A.T. Villa offers over 100 laboratory sink styles and sizes in high quality materials such as epoxy resin and stainless steel.
A.T. Villa proudly partner with Durcon and American Epoxy Scientific for our epoxy sink offerings, and Just Manufacturing for our stainless steel offerings. Offering only the best, A.T. Villa will help you find the exact sink to fit your needs.