View source for Edge banding

{{Short description|A material or process used in finish carpentry}}
{{More citations needed|date=September 2023}}
[[File:Plaqueuse de chant.jpg|thumb|Edge banding machine]]
[[File:Chant thermocollant.jpg|thumb|Strips with hot-melt adhesive]]
'''Edge banding''' or '''edgebanding''' is the name of both a process, and an associated narrow strip of material. It is used to create durable and aesthetically pleasing trim edges during finish carpentry. The method is used to cover the exposed sides of materials such as [[plywood]], [[particle board]], or [[Medium-density fibreboard|MDF]]. This increases durability and creates the appearance of a more solid or valuable material.

== Process ==
The '''edge banding''' or '''edgebanding''' method is used to create durable and aesthetically pleasing trim edges during finish carpentry.<ref name=":0">{{Cite magazine |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=zIth50cd-osC&q=edge+banding&pg=PA46 |title=Veneering, Marquetry and Inlay |date=1996 |magazine=Fine Woodworking Magazine |publisher=Taunton Press |isbn=978-1-56158-119-1 |pages=45–46 |language=en}}</ref> Traditional edge banding was a manual process requiring ordinary [[carpentry]] tools and materials.

In modern applications, particularly for high-volume, repetitive manufacturing steps, the production of as [[Cabinet (furniture)|cabinet]] doors for example, edge banding is applied to the substrate by an automated process using a [[hot-melt adhesive]]. Hot melt adhesives may consist of various raw materials including [[ethylene-vinyl acetate]] (EVA), polyurethanes (TPU), [[Acrylate polymer|polyacrylate (PA)]], APOA, and [[polyolefin]]s (PO). A substrate primer may also be used as a bonding agent between the adhesive and the substrate. Thicker edge bandings typically require a slight concavity to provide a tight glue line. The thickness can vary from {{Convert|.018|in|abbr=on}} to {{Convert|5|mm|abbr=on|order=flip}} or even more.

The machine that applies the edge banding is called '''edge bander'''. An edge bander bonds the edge banding to the substrate, trims the leading and trailing edges, trims top and bottom flush with the substrate, scraps any surplus, and [[Buffing|buffs]] the finished edge.

== Material ==
'''Edge-banding''' or '''edge tape''' can refer to the narrow strip of material being used as the [[Wood veneer|veneer]].<ref>{{Cite book |last=Burkin |first=Anatole |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=M-Nr166OTYgC&q=Edge+banding+&pg=PA80 |title=Designing and Building Cabinets |date=2004 |publisher=Taunton Press |isbn=978-1-56158-732-2 |language=en}}</ref> Edge banding is used to cover the exposed sides of materials such as [[plywood]], [[particle board]], or [[Medium-density fibreboard|MDF]]. This increases durability and gives the appearance of a solid or more valuable material. Common substitutes for edge banding include [[face frame]]s or [[molding (decorative)|molding]]. Edge banding can be made of different materials including [[Polyvinyl chloride|polyvinyl chloride (PVC)]], [[acrylonitrile butadiene styrene]] ([[Acrylonitrile butadiene styrene|ABS]]), [[Acrylic polymer|acrylic]], [[melamine]], wood, or wood veneer.

[[Thermoplastic]] edge banding is produced with an [[extruder]], a machine that consists of a loading system for raw materials, a screw inside a barrel that melts and transports the raw materials (plastics PVC, ABS, [[Polypropylene|polypropylene (PP)]], [[Poly(methyl methacrylate)|polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA)]] and color pigments), and a dye through which the material is transported to shape the edge banding into the required size. After the edge banding is extruded, it can be texturized, printed, and lacquered to provide the required finish. The edge banding is then rolled and send to customers.

== See also ==
* [[Cabinet making]]
* [[Inlay]]
* [[Bead (woodworking)]]
* [[Binding (woodworking)]], on the end-grain of solid wood, to reduce changes in humidity.

== References ==
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{{Woodworking}}

[[Category:Woodworking]]
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