How can bowing of composite panels be avoided?
Answer Panels and boards faced with laminate nearly always require the reverse side to be faced with a similar material to counter-balance the effects of dimensional changes that may occur. Pre-conditioning of the substrate materials, surfacing laminates and backing laminates before they are bonded minimises the effects of differential movement caused by the materials’ reaction to changes in relative humidity. In addition, always use face and backing laminates cut from the same direction of the laminate sheet and never at right angles to each other. (For more detail, see ‘Pre-conditioning’ under ‘Fabrication / Preparation’, and ‘Counter-veneering’ under ‘Fabrication / Pressing’, both in the ‘Technical’ section.
