What is Corian Material? Where and Why it is used?

Feb 13, 2023

Product Reviews / Brand Reviews

What is Corian Material? Where and Why it is used?

IS CORIAN WHAT?

Corian is a solid, non-porous surface material that was developed in 1967 by a firm by the name of Dupont.

The Dupont scientist who created Corian is named Dr Donald Slocum, and the patent for the material was filed in October 1968.

At the National Association of Home Builders shows in Houston, Texas, Corian was initially offered for sale in 1971. Because Corian was only available in the colour White, visitors to the exhibition believed that it was exclusively a material for use in kitchens and bathrooms.

However, Corian now comes in 93 bright colours.

HOW IS CORIA MADE?

Natural minerals make up 2/3 of the composition of Corian, which is made up of 1/3 acrylic polymer. Alumina Trihydrate is the primary component. This is generated from bauxite ore, one of the primary raw materials used in the production of aluminium.

The cross-section cut of the completed material reveals a constant colour when you cut through a sheet of it. The term "Solid Surface" originated from the fact that the particle patterning is uniformly spread throughout the material.

Here is a quick movie (5.56 minutes) that outlines the production process rather than going into great depth. It briefly describes Dupont's history and how they got started making gunpowder before providing some insightful facts on Corian.

WHAT SIZE CORIAN SHEET IS IT?

Although Glacier White Corian is also offered in a bigger sheet measuring 910 mm x 3680 mm, the standard dimensions of the 12mm sheets are 760 mm x 3680 mm. They provide smaller sheets that are 6mm x 760mm x 2490mm in a few choice colours.

THERMOFORMING FOR CORIAN: WHAT IS IT?

One of Corian's amazing qualities is that, once heated, practically any shape may be made. Thermoforming is the name of this procedure.

Corian is heated to the proper temperature in an oven before being placed on a metal or wooden mould at a regulated temperature to manufacture 2D and 3D products. The item is then "vacuum packed" to keep it in the proper location until it hardens.