UGANDA STANDARD  
  US 837
First Edition
2009-04-20
 
 
Reference numbe r
US 837: 2009
 © UNBS 2009 
  
Decorative melamine-faced boards 
 US 837: 2009 
ii © UNBS 2009 – All rights reserved
 Compliance with this standard does not, of itself confer immunity from legal obligations 
A Uganda Standard does not purport to include all necessary provisions of a contract. Users are 
responsible for its correct application  
© UNBS 2009  
All rights reserved. Unless otherwise specified, no part of this publication may be reproduced or utilised in any 
form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, in cluding photocopying and microfilm, without prior written 
permission from UNBS. 
Requests for permission to reproduce this document should be addressed to 
The Executive Director 
Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
P.O. Box 6329 
Kampala  
Uganda 
Tel: 256 414 505 995 
Fax: 256 414 286 123 
E-mail: unbs@infocom.co.ug
Web: www.unbs.go.ug  US 837:2009 
© UNBS 2009 – All rights reserved  iii
 Contents Page 
Foreword ............................................................................................................................................................iv  
1 Scope ......................................................................................................................................................1  
2 Normative references ............................................................................................................................1  
3 Terms and definitions ...........................................................................................................................1  
4 Application categories ..........................................................................................................................1  
5 Requirements .........................................................................................................................................2  
5.1 Dimensional tolerances ........................................................................................................................2  
5.1.1 Thickness ...............................................................................................................................................2  
5.1.2 Length and width, including deviation from rectangularity ..............................................................2  
5.2 Edges ......................................................................................................................................................3  
5.3 Bending and transverse tensile strength............................................................................................3  
5.4 Dimensional stability (under humidity changes) at 20 °C .................................................................3  
5.5 Resistance to scratching ......................................................................................................................3  
5.6 Resistance to cracking .........................................................................................................................3  
5.7 Resistance to cigarette burns ..............................................................................................................4  
5.8 Resistance to dry heat ..........................................................................................................................4  
5.9 Resistance to steam ..............................................................................................................................4  
5.10 Resistance to staining ..........................................................................................................................4  
6 Designation and marking .....................................................................................................................4  
6.1 Designation ............................................................................................................................................4  
6.2 Marking ...................................................................................................................................................5  
Annex A (normative)  Notes to purchasers .....................................................................................................6  
Bibliography ........................................................................................................................................................7  
 US 837: 2009 
iv © UNBS 2009 – All rights reserved
 Foreword 
Uganda National Bureau of Standards (UNBS) is a parastatal under the Ministry  of Tourism, Trade and 
Industry established under Cap 327, of the Laws of Uganda.  UNBS is mandated to co-ordinate the 
elaboration of standards and is  
(a) a member of International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) and  
(b) a contact point for the WHO/FAO Codex A limentarius Commission on Food Standards, and  
(c) the National Enquiry Point on TBT/SPS Agr eements of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). 
The work of preparing Uganda Standards is carried out through Technical Committees. A Technical 
Committee is established to deliberate on standards in a gi ven field or area and consists of representatives of 
consumers, traders, academician s, manufacturers, governme nt and other stakeholders. 
Draft Uganda Standards adopted by the Technical Committ ee are widely circulated to stakeholders and the 
general public for comments. The committee reviews the comments before recommending the draft standards 
for approval and declaration as Uganda Standards by the National Standards Council.  
Committee membership 
The following organisations were represented on the Furniture Standards Technical Committee, UNBS/TC 12, 
during the development of this standard: 
• Board City 
• Geotech Engineering 
• St. Joseph Kisubi Technical 
• Kibalika & Son Furniture Ltd 
• Kyambogo University 
• P.G Bison 
• Uganda National Bureau of Standards  
• Uganda Small Scale Industrial Association 
 UGANDA STANDARD US 837:2009
 
© UNBS 2009 – All rights reserved  1
 Decorative melamine-faced boards — Specification 
1 Scope 
This Uganda Standard specifies the requirements for decorative aminoplast-faced boards, which are referred 
to as decorative melamine-faced boards (MFB) or lo w-pressure laminates, and ar e used, for example, for 
furniture and interior work. 
2 Normative references 
The following referenced documents are indispensabl e for the application of this document. For dated 
references, only the edition cited applies. For undated references, the latest edition of the referenced 
document (including any amendments) applies. 
US 839*, Particle boards — Specification  
US 838*, Fibreboard products — Part 1: Uncoated fibreboard  
US ISO 4586-2, High-pressure decorative laminates — Sheets made from thermosetting resins — Part 2: 
Determination of properties  
3 Terms and definitions 
For the purposes of this standard, the following terms and definitions shall apply. 
3.1 
decorative aminoplast-faced boards 
decorative melamine-faced boards (MFB) 
timber particle boards or medium-density fibreboards that are manufactured with a synthetic resin as binder, 
surface-treated on one or both sides with supporting webs and impregnated by pressing with hardened 
condensation resins, utilising the effects of heat, pressu re and time. The binder of the decorative lamina 
consists mainly of melamine resin. The decorative surfaces can be smooth or textured. 
3.2 
substrates 
particle board in accordance with US 839 
3.3 
"Z" designation 
supplementary designation for special boards with great er resistance to glowing cigarettes ends, indicated by 
an appended "Z" 
4 Application categories 
Decorative aminoplast-faced boards are classified accord ing to their resistance to wear and scratching (see 
Table 1) and thickness of the decorative lamina (see Table 2). US 837: 2009 
2 © UNBS 2009 – All rights reserved Table 1 — Resistance to abrasion 
Category Resistance to wear*
cycles Resistance to scratching1)
N(min) 
N 50 to 150 1.5 
M 151 to 350 1.5 
H 351 to 650 1.5 
S Over 650 1.5 
*Measured in accordance with US ISO 4586-2
 
Table 2 — Lamina thickness 
Category Lamina thickness1) 
mm 
1 ≤ 0.14 
2 > 0.142)
NOTE The resistances to impact is directly re lated to the lamina thickness on the board. 
1) Measured in accordance with US ISO 4586-2 
2) Lamina thicknesses over 0,14 mm (category 2) are usually achieved is a barrier, balance or underlay 
paper is used in addition to decorative paper (two-sheet structure)   
5 Requirements 
5.1 Dimensional tolerances 
5.1.1 Thickness 
In the case of nominal thicknesses, t he following tolerances are applicable: 
a) up to 20 mm: ; and 0.30.5
−+
b) over 20 mm: ± 0.5 mm, 
both within one board and also from one board to another. 
5.1.2 Length and width, including deviation from rectangularity 
In the case of length and width, t he following tolerances are applicable: 
a) commercial sizes: ± 5 mm; 
b) rough custom-tailored size s (coarse cuts): ± 2.5 mm; and 
c) fine custom-tailored sizes, to be specially agreed upon (see Annex A). 
For the purposes of this standard, cust om-tailored sizes are sections of b oard the longest edge of which is of 
length up to 2000 mm. In the case of longer sections or longitudinal cuts or transverse separating cuts only, 
the requirement in 5.1.2(a) shall apply. 
 US 837:2009 
© UNBS 2009 – All rights reserved  3
 5.2 Edges 
5.2.1 Boards in commercially available sizes (standard sizes, as supplied by the manufacturer) shall be 
supplied with trimmed edges, as agreed upon (see Annex A). Chipping of the top layer of length up to 5 mm 
shall be permissible on all edges. 
5.2.2 Chipping of the top layer of length up to 3 mm shall be permissible on all edges on rough custom-
tailored sizes. 
5.3 Bending and transverse tensile strength 
The table below gives the requirements for the bending and transverse tensile strength. 
Table3 — Minimum value for bending and transverse tensile strength 
Bending stress1), 
MPa 
Lamina thickness 
mm Transverse tensile 
strength2), 
 
MPa Thickness range, 
mm 
up to 0.14 Over 0.14  
< 13 
13 < 20 
20 < 25 17 
16 
15 18 
17 
16 0,40 
0,35 
0,30 
25 < 32 
32 < 40 
40 ≤ 50 13 
11 
9 14 
12 
10 0,24 
0,20 
0,20 
1) Test pieces shall be prepared in such a way (for example by  cutting), that no fractures are present in the decorative lamina . 
2) Tensile strength at right angles to the board plane (  ). The specified minimum values, in each case, refer to the overall mean value of 3 
boards with 10 individual tests in each case.
 
5.4 Dimensional stability (under humidity changes) at 20 °C 
When tested in accordance with US ISO 4586-2, the sum of the absolute values L A1 and L A2 shall not exceed 
0.6 % where L A1 and L A2 are the respective percentage changes of t he initial dimension after conditioning at 
low and high relative humidity atmospheric conditions. 
5.5 Resistance to scratching  
When tested in accordance with US ISO 4586-2 wi th a load of 1.5 N, no continuous trace may appear.  
NOTE 1 The scratch resistance of MFB products is affected by the surface stru cture and colour. Hence the specified 
value is a minimum requirement. It is possible to achieve su bstantially higher values by  selection of a favourable 
combination of colour, patte rn and surface structure. 
NOTE 2 Scratches on light colours are generally less visibl e than scratches on dark col ours. Printed designs render 
scratches less visible than plain colours; likewise, structured surfaces render scr atches less visible than smooth surfaces. 
5.6 Resistance to cracking 
When tested in accordance with US ISO 4586-2, grade 2 cracking, as given in Table 4, is not permissible. 
 US 837: 2009 
4 © UNBS 2009 – All rights reserved 
 Table 4 — Crack resistance grades of MFB 
Crack resistances grade Result 
0 Design surface without hairline cracks 
1  Hairline cracks randomly spread over the total design surface 
2 In addition to grade 1 cracking, cracks occur on the design surface and are 
visible from a distance of 400 mm 
 
5.7 Resistance to cigarette burns 
In the case of a board that bears the supplementary designation "Z", no lasting changes, other than 
discoloration and loss of gloss, are permissible when the board is tested in accordance with US ISO 4586-2. 
 
5.8 Resistance to dry heat 
In the case of category 1 lamina thickness (See Table 2. ), no requirements exist. In the case of category 2 
lamina thickness (see Table 2), no lasting changes, other than loss of gloss, are permissible when the board 
is tested in accordance with US ISO 4586-2. 
5.9 Resistance to steam 
When the board is tested in accordance with US ISO 458 6-2, no lasting changes, other than loss of gloss on 
the areas directly affected by the steam, are permissible. 
5.10 Resistance to staining 
MFB products shall be resistant to stains that are caused by the test substances in groups 1 and 2 specified in 
US ISO 4586-2. The test shall be performed in acco rdance with procedure B given in US ISO 4586-2. 
Resistance to other substances and the appropriate te st methods shall be as agreed upon (see Annex A).  
NOTE The boards in accordance with this standard are not resi stant to effects that can be caused by the substances 
namely mineral acids (for example hydrochloric acid or nitric acid), solutions of alkalis (for example caustic soda, potash), 
bleaching lyes that contain chlorine, hydr ogen peroxide, silver nitrate solutions, iodine and other antiseptic tinctures with a  
strong dyeing effect. 
6 Designation and marking 
6.1 Designation 
In the designation, after the board th ickness, the resistance to abrasion is given first, followed by the lamina 
thickness, and, if necessary, "Z" shall be added. 
If the faces of MFB products are of different structures , each side shall be designated separately, according to 
the abrasion and the lamina thickness categories (see tables 1 and 2). 
Examples: 
The designation of MFB products, of length 3 000 mm, of width 2 000 mm and of thickness 16 mm: 
a) A product of abrasion category M and a lamina thickness of category 2 on both board faces shall be designated 
as follows: 
MFB products US 837 – 3 000 × 2 000 × 16 – M2 US 837:2009 
© UNBS 2009 – All rights reserved  5
 b) A product of abrasion category M on one board side, abrasion category N on the other board side, and a lamina 
thickness of category 2 on both board sides, shall be designated as follows: 
i) one side: MFB products US 837 – 3 000 × 2 000 × 16 – M2 and 
ii) other side: MFB products US 837 – 3 000 × 2 000 × 16 – N2.  
6.2 Marking 
The following information shall indelibly be marked by  the manufacturer in a suitable place on each board: 
a) the identification of the manufacturer and the type of work (coded if necessary); 
b) the abbreviation "MFB"; 
c) the designation "US 837"; 
d) the thickness, in millimetres; 
e) the abrasion and the lamina thickness categories; and 
f) if applicable, the designation "Z" to indicate greater resistance to glowing cigarette ends. 
Example: 
Muller 123 MFB products US 837 – 16 M2 – Z US 837: 2009 
6 © UNBS 2009 – All rights reserved 
 Annex A 
(normative) 
 
Notes to purchasers 
The following requirements shall be agreed upon between the manufacturer and the purchaser: 
a) if applicable, the length and width tolerances for fine custom-tailored sizes (see 5.1.2(b)); 
b) which, if any, edges shall be trimmed (see 5.2.1); and 
c) resistance to staining and the app ropriate test methods (see 5.10). 
 US 837:2009 
© UNBS 2009 – All rights reserved  7
 Bibliography 
1. DIN EN 12720:1997, Furniture — Assessment of surface resistance to cold liquids  
2. DIN 50014:1985, Climates and their technical application; standard atmospheres  
3. DIN 53387:1989, Artificial weathering and ageing of plastics an d elastomers by exposure to filtered 
xenon arc radiation.  Amdt 1 
4. DIN 68761-1:1986, Chipboard; General purpose flat pressed particle board; FPY board. Amdt 1 
5. DIN 68761-4:1982, Chipboard; Flat pressed board for gener al purposes; FPO board. Amdt 1  
6. DIN 68765:1987, Particle boards — Decorative laminated particle boards — Terms, requirements. 
Amdt 1 
7. DIN EN 14322, Wood-based panels — Melamine faced boards for interior uses — Definitions, 
requirements and classification. Amdt 1 
8. DIN EN ISO 4892-2, Plastic — Methods of explore to laborator y light sources Part 2: Xenon-arc lamps 
9. ISO 4586-1, High-pressure decorative lami nates — Sheets made from thermosetting resins — Part 2: 
Determination of properties.  US 837: 2009 
8 © UNBS 2009 – All rights reserved Certification marking 
Products that conform to Uganda standards may be  marked with Uganda National Bureau of Standards 
(UNBS) Certification Mark shown in the figure below.  
The use of the UNBS Certification Mark is governed by the Standards Act, and the Regulations made 
thereunder. This mark can be used only by those licens ed under the certification ma rk scheme operated by 
the Uganda National Bureau of Standards and in conjunction with the relevant Uganda Standard. The 
presence of this mark on a product or in relation to a product is an assurance that the goods comply with the 
requirements of that standard under a system of supervision, control a nd testing in accordance with the 
certification mark scheme of the Uganda Nationa l Bureau of Standards. UNBS marked products are 
continually checked by UNBS for conformity to that standard.  
Further particulars of the terms and conditions of licensing may be obtained from the Director, Uganda 
National Bureau of Standards.  
 
 
 US 837: 2009 
 
ICS nn.nnn.nn 
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