Phenolic Resin Countertops

Phenolic resin countertops, that is, phenolic resin countertops, can be seen in many places, such as operating platforms in some factories, workbenches in laboratories, and even in hospital laboratories. Don’t think it looks unremarkable; it’s actually very useful, especially in places with high requirements for countertops, it can always play a big role. Today, let’s talk about it in detail to see what capabilities it has.

Chemical Corrosion Resistance

Chemical corrosion resistance is a major advantage of phenolic resin countertops.
In laboratories, various chemical reagents, both acidic and alkaline, are often used. Sometimes, if they are accidentally spilled on the countertop, there’s no need to panic too much.
Once, I saw a colleague spill diluted hydrochloric acid on the countertop. He quickly rinsed it with water and then wiped it with a cloth, and the countertop remained unchanged, still in good condition. If it were an ordinary wooden countertop, it would probably have been corroded beyond recognition.
However, it should be noted that if encountering chemical reagents with particularly high concentrations, they should be dealt with quickly and not left on the countertop for a long time, otherwise, even the best countertop can’t withstand it.

First, let’s talk about what phenolic resin countertops look like.
It doesn’t have many colors; common ones are black, gray, and light brown, mostly calm colors that look solid.
The surface has a slightly matte texture, not particularly smooth but not rough either, and feels good to the touch.
Its thickness is generally quite uniform, mostly between 1 to 2 centimeters, without being uneven.
When laid on the operating platform, it’s flat and looks comfortable.
Moreover, its size is quite flexible; basically, any size can be made, and it can be cut according to the size of the operating platform, without wasting materials at all.

Let’s talk about the performance of phenolic resin countertops, which is the most important part.
The most reassuring thing is that it’s stain-resistant. Usually, when placing things or operating on it, even if there are some stains, you can wipe them clean with a cloth.
Once in the laboratory, someone accidentally dropped ink on the countertop. They didn’t notice it at that time and found it after a long time. They thought it would definitely not be wiped off, but they dipped a wet cloth in some detergent and gently wiped it, and it was gone without leaving any trace. This is very important for places that deal with various stains every day, saving a lot of cleaning effort.

It’s also quite wear-resistant. Whether placing heavy objects on it or dragging instruments back and forth, it’s not easy to leave scratches.
I once saw in a factory’s operating platform that various tools, such as hammers and wrenches, are placed on it every day. Sometimes, when they accidentally fall on the countertop, they just make a sound, and the countertop is fine, neither cracked nor pitted.
The countertop that has been used for several years still looks quite new, unlike some countertops that become pitted after a short time, which is annoying to look at.

Its heat resistance is also acceptable.
Usually, placing a beaker just taken out of the microwave or a bottle containing hot water on it is fine. It won’t deform or bulge like some plastic countertops when encountering hot things.
Once in the laboratory, someone placed a slightly hot test tube rack on the countertop and left it there for almost half an hour before taking it away, and the countertop didn’t leave any traces. This heat resistance is really reassuring.

In terms of price, phenolic resin countertops also have a great advantage.
Compared with epoxy resin countertops and stainless steel countertops, its price is much cheaper, and its service life is not short, so the cost performance is quite high.
For places with not too much budget but in need of good countertops, it’s definitely a good choice.

However, phenolic resin countertops are not perfect.
It has a small disadvantage: its hardness is not particularly high. If scratched hard with particularly sharp things, it will still leave scratches. So in daily use, try not to scratch it randomly with sharp tools like knives and scissors.
In addition, its color options are relatively few, which may not be suitable for places that pursue beauty and want various color combinations.

In terms of installation, phenolic resin countertops are also very convenient.
Generally, the countertop is cut into a suitable size, then glued to the frame of the operating platform or fixed with screws. There’s no need for too complicated procedures.
The installation master can finish it in a short time without delaying too much time.
Moreover, after installation, there’s no need for too much maintenance; just wipe it regularly, which is very worry-free.

Nowadays, many places are willing to use phenolic resin countertops.
In addition to its good performance and reasonable price, it’s also because it’s relatively environmentally friendly.
During production, it doesn’t produce too many harmful substances, and it doesn’t release unpleasant odors during use, which is relatively friendly to the human body and the environment. In the current situation where environmental protection is increasingly valued, this is a big plus.

In general, phenolic resin countertops are a very practical countertop material.
They are stain-resistant, wear-resistant, chemical corrosion-resistant, inexpensive, and convenient to install and maintain.
Although they have some small shortcomings, it doesn’t affect their important role in many occasions at all.
If your place needs to replace the countertop, doesn’t want to spend too much money, and hopes the countertop is easy to use and durable, you might as well consider it. I believe it won’t disappoint you.