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About Richlite
Richlite's unique compostition enables it to be available in gorgeous saturated colors that permeate the entire slab. Its incredible durability and renewability make it a great countertop choice. Richlite has a warm, natural feel that is a beautiful alternative to the cold, hardness of natural stone.

 

material overview

Material Content: Richlite is composed of FSC certified paper that's treated with resin, then baked to create solid sheets.

 

Applications: Kitchen and bathroom countertops, commercial kitchen counters, work tops, and much more.

 

Colors: Richlite is currently available in Baguette, Indigo, Merlot, Hemp, Nutmeg, and Sage. Richlite's saturated colors permeate the entire slab.

 
Benefits of Richlite include: heat resistance up to 350 degrees, its very durable and resistant to most scratching and staining. Additionally it is sanitary and food safe because the material is virtually non-porous. Additionally, Richlite can accomodate cantilvers and long spans — up to an 18" overhang with no added support. Richlite has been used in diverse applications from skateparks to kitchen countertops.

 

care & maintenance

Routine Cleaning and Upkeep: Richlite's surface is a durable, attractive material designed to stay beautiful for the lifetime of your kitchen, bath or office space. A simple wipe up with soap and warm water on a regular basis will maintain its beauty. Richlite's testing laboratory recommends that fabricators finish the surface with a non-oil-based sealant to provide a rich, polished finish that requires minimum care.

 

Removing Stains: Generally speaking, Richlite resists stains quite well. As with almost any material, there is a potential for some staining. With stubborn stains, try a non-abrasive household cleaner. Richlite highly recommends SimpleGreen®* All-Purpose Cleaner because of its effectiveness and earth friendly ingredients.

 

Repairing Scratches & Burn Marks: Richlite is extremely dense and durable. The material is resistant to scratches and burns but, like most surfaces, can potentially be damaged by cutting directly on the surface or setting a red-hot frying pan on the surface. Richlite recommends the use of cutting boards, hot pads and trivets to protect the surface from damage. Before you decide to refinish your counter, please contact your dealer or fabricator who installed the counter for advice. In most cases, it is preferable for the installer to refinish the surface for you. Light scratch marks and burn marks can be refinished using a Scotch-Brite®* pad (#7447/ Red Color). It is important to note that the refinished area will noticeably lighten compared to the surrounding surface area. Richlite is made of paper which, like wood, patinas or darkens over time, especially in the lighter colors such as Baguette. The refinished area will eventually patina and match the remainder of the counter surrounding it. To avoid affecting one spot, lightly refinish the entire section of the counter.

 

General Precautions: Your countertop is stain resistant to most all kitchen related substances with the exception of some raw meat juices (such as liver), high-alkaline fruit or vegetables (such as papaya and red beet), and high-alkaline soaps (such as automatic dishwasher powder) when left in contact for a prolonged time. Additionally, grout (which is a high alkaline product) will lighten darker-colored Richlite counters and darken the lighter tones. Cover the surface with a protective sheet when you are installing tile around countertop area.

 

 
 
Material Comparison Chart

Whether you want to know if the material can handle a hot pan being set on it or how it will withstand a spilled glass of red wine, the chart below will help you compare products. No one product can do it all, but Nu-Art’s materials compare well to common popular countertop surfaces. And besides being unique and beautiful, Nu-Art’s materials all are classified as sustainable.

 

The ratings shown are derived from Nu-Art’s combined experience and from industry specifications.

 

Heat ratings for the materials are as follows:


SlateScape -  up to 500 degrees (F)
Richlite – up to 350 degrees (F)
Eco-Cem – up to 500 degrees (F)

     
Material Durability Stainability Scratchability Heat Resistance Renewable/Repairable Sustainable
SlateScape
Richlite
Eco-Cem
             
Corian None
Concrete None
Granite None
Laminate None None None
             
 
  Richite Technical Info

Material Safety Data Sheet

 
 
Chemical family:   Cured pheno-formaldehyde
Product use:   Various within modeling and pattern making industries.
Hazard statement:   This material safety data sheet (MSDS) has been prepared in compliance with the Federal OSHA Hazard Communication Standard 29 CFR 1910.1200. This product is not considered to be a hazardous chemical under that standard.
     
Section 2: Physical Data
   
Appearance:   Tan, odorless flat sheets
Percent Volatile:   0 (zero)
Insoluble in water    
Specific gravity:   1.24
     
Section 3: Fire and Explosion Data
   
Extinguishing media:   Self extinguishing; remove source of heat.
Special fire fighting procedures:   Use self-contained breathing apparatus.
Unusual fire and explosion data:   Combustion products may be toxic.
     
Section 4: Reactivity Data
   
Stability:   Stable
Incompatibility:   Very strong alkali
Hazardous decomposition products:   Combustion may form toxic material. Oxides of carbon and nitrogen, benzene, toluene, methane, phenl, formaldehyde.
Hazardous polymerization:   Will not occur.
     
Section 5: Health Hazard Data
   
Primary routes of exposure:   Eye, dermal, ingestion or inhalation of dust from abraded material.
Threshold limit value:   Not hazardous
Overexposure effects:   Completely crosslinked phenol-formaldehyde resin is inert and non-toxic.
Eye contact:   Dust that contacts the eye may be irritating or cause mechanical injury.
Skin contact:   May cause slight skin irritation.
Ingestion:   It is reasonable to anticipate ingestion of the dust would be irritating to the GI tract.
Inhalation:   Dust may be irritating to the respiratory tract and cause coughing or sneezing.
     
Section 6: First Aid Measures
   
Eyes:   Immediately flush eyes with water for at least 15 minutes. See a physician if irritation persists.
Skin:   Wash with soap and water. See a physician if irritation persists.
Ingestion:   No harmful effects anticipated. See a physician if irritation persists.
Inhalation:   No harmful effects anticipated. See a physician if irritation persists.
     
Section 7: Special Protection Information
   
Venthilation:   General mechanical and local exhaust in accordance with ACGIH recommendations.
Protective gloves:   Wear gloves as a standard handling procedure.
Eye protection:   Dust-tight goggles are recommended during material abrading operations.
Respiratory protection:   Use NIOSH approved dust mask if required.
     
Section 8: Special Precautions
 
Handling precautions:   Nuisance dust may be generated during some material machining processes.
     
Section 9: Regulatory Information
   
DOT proper shipping name:   Plastic laminate sheets
DOT hazard class:   N/A
RCRA Status:   Not a hazardous waste under RCRA (40 CFR 261)
     
 
 

SARA/TITLE III - Toxic chemicals list: This product does not contain a toxic chemical for routine annual toxic chemical release reporting under Sec. 313 (40 CFR 372) ISSUED 1/1/98 by R. Snyder, Product Safety Director

 
     
 

Properties of Richlite Natural Fiber Composite

 
 
Water absorption by weight:   2.15%
     
Electrical properties:
   
Dielectric strength (volts/mil):   150
Dielectric constant:   9.24
Dissipation factor:   0.29
     
Thermal properties:
   
Coefficient of thermal expansion in X dir.:   5.2
Coefficient of thermal expansion in Y dir.:   12.8
Coefficient of thermal expansion in Z dir.:   45.9/73.5"
Thermal conductivity:   0.00051
     
Tensile strength:
   
X direction (psi):   19,200
Y direction (psi):   13,100
     
Compressive strength:
   
X direction (psi):   18,400
Strain @ failure:   7.09%
Y direction (psi):   15,900
Strain @ failure:   7.15%
Z direction (psi):   30,000
Strain @ failure:   ~20%
     
Flexural strength (face in tension):
   
X direction (psi):   22,000
Y direction (psi):   17,300
     
Flexural strength (edge in tension):
   
X direction (psi):   20,400
Y direction (psi):   16,100
   
Izod impact (face impact):
   
X direction (ft. lb. per inch of width):   2.48
Y direction (ft. lb. per inch of width):   1.46
     
Izod impact (edge impact):
   
X direction (ft. lb. per inch of width):   0.68
Y direction (ft. lb. per inch of width):   0.62
     
Abrasion resistance - Taber abraser (CS-17) (1/4x"x4"x4"):
   
Weight loss per 1000 revs:   0.0112%
Wear per 1000 revs (inches):   0.2
 
Coefficient of friction (unpolished):   0.2
Burning rate:   Very slow
Aging:   Improves mechanical and electrical properties
Sunlight:   Darkens surface
Clarity:   Opaque
Strong acids:   None to slight depending on acid.
Weak alkali:   Slight to marked depending on alkalinity.
 
     
 

The two values for C.O.L.T.E. represent coefficients below and above glass transition temperature (130 degrees F) respectively.