Edgings and Upstands

Edgings and Upstands

A number of edging profiles can be supplied, either factory fitted to Simmons’ epoxy resin worktops or in loose lengths for fitment to other materials. Loose edgings can be supplied pre-cut and mitred at an additional cost.

Epoxy resin grout/adhesive is recommended for fitting all edgings.

Front Edges

No.1 (Front edging)

Front Edging

Simmons’ standard containment edging for front edges and other seen edges. This edging provides a 10mm dishing and a gloss finish to the outside face. Maximum Length: 3m

No.1G (Front edging - DIN)

Front Edging DIN

A deep front edging with a 7mm dishing, based on the DIN standard for laboratory worktop containment edges. The 37mm depth can be reduced to accommodate other worktop thicknesses. Maximum Length: 3m 

Rear Edges

No.2 (Rear edging)

Simmons 2 Rear Edging

A 15mm high edging, often used in the fabrication of fume cupboard bases.

Maximum Length: 3m

No.3 (Rear edging)

Rear Edging

A 10mm high edging for use against walls or around fume cupboard bases. Designed for use in conjunction with no.1 front edging.

Maximum Length: 3m

No.3G (Rear edging)

Simmons 3G Rear Edging

A 7mm high edging used against walls or around fume cupboard bases. Designed for use in conjunction with no.1G front edging.

Maximum Length: 3m

Rear Wide Edges

No.4 (Wide Rear Edging)

Simmons 4 Wide Rear-Edging

A 15mm high edging available in widths up to 165mm. Maximum Length: 2.5m

No.4A (Wide Rear Edging)

Simmons 4A Wide Rear-Edging

A 10mm high edging available in widths up to 110mm. Maximum Length: 2.5m

Upstands

No.5 (Rear upstand)

Simmons 5 Rear Upstand

With a total height of 40mm and a 15mm bevelled section, this upstand is usually used against walls. 
Maximum Length: 3m

No.6 (Plain upstand)

Simmons 6 Plain Upstand

Supplied loose with epoxy adhesive for  onsite fitment. 

Plain upstand is usually used ons against walls and is available at any required height – H, commonly 50mm or 100mm.  Maximum Length: 3m

Our standard colours are:

The colours shown on this website are a guide only and cannot be guaranteed to match the colour of components supplied by Simmons.

Grey

White

White

Cream

Black

Black

Dark Grey

Chemical Resistance

(24 hour sport test. Based on BS EN 438-2:1991).

Acetone

Unaffected

Acetonitrile

Unaffected

Ammonium Hydroxide – 28%

Unaffected

Aqua regia

Unaffected

Benzyl alcohol

Unaffected

Chloroform

Unaffected

Chloroform – 100%

Unaffected

Chromic acid pickle (*1)

Unaffected

Dicholoromethane

Surface attack

Dimethylformamide

Unaffected

Ethyl acetate

Unaffected

Formaldehyde – 37%

Unaffected

Hydrochloric acid – 30%

Unaffected

Hydrochloric acid – concentrated

Unaffected

Hydrofluoric acid – 40%

Slight bleaching

Hydrogen Peroxide

Unaffected

Methanol

Unaffected

Nitric acid – 70%

Very slight bleaching

Nitric acid – concentrated

Slight yellowing

Nitric acid – fuming

Attack and staining

Perchloric acid – 0.1N

Unaffected

Phosphoric acid – concentrated

Unaffected

Potassium hydroxide pellet (*2)

Unaffected

Sodium hydroxide – 50%

Unaffected

Sodium hydroxide pellet (*2)

Unaffected

Sodium hypochlorite

Unaffected

Sulphuric acid – 70%

Unaffected

Sulphuric acid – concentrated

Surface attack

Xylene

Unaffected

Mechanical Properties

Tensile strength

85 N/mm²

Tensile Modulus

10,500 N/mm²

Elongation at break

0.8%

Flexural strength

112 N/mm²

Flexural Modulus

10,000 N/mm²

Compressive strength

190 N/mm²

Coefficient of linear thermal expansion

34 x 10⁶

Water absorption – 24 hours at 23ºC

5–10 mg (0.06–0.068%) ISO 62 (1980)

Thermal Properties

Thermal Shock

2000 cycles (90 sec. at 75ºC, 90 sec. dwell, 90 sec. at 15ºC)
No effect
Should not be used with dry-ice or liquid nitrogen

Smoke Emission

Low Smoke Emission – BS 6853 1999 App. D Clause d.8.4
Result – Ao(on) 8.75, Ao(off) 10.41

Flammability

Class 0

Thermal Decomposition

350ºC

Glass transition temperature (Tg)

120 – 130ºC

Radioactive Decontamination

Decontamination factor (geometric mean)

5598.0

Deviation factor

1.25

Ease of radioactive decontamination classification

"Excellent"

Installation and Maintenance

General Maintenance

As with all worktops a reasonable standard of laboratory housekeeping will help to keep the worktops in good condition. All spillages should be cleaned up as soon as possible. Staining agents and aggressive chemicals should not  be allowed to sit in contact with the tops for a prolonged period of time.

Areas of chemical attack or staining can be removed with a polishing compound or very fine abrasive paper, but it should be stressed that this will alter the finish of the surface. Performance will not be affected.

The use of a wax furniture polish will help to retain the gloss finish.

Components should not be exposed to dry-ice or liquid nitrogen and heat insulation pads should be placed between a top and a steambath or hotplate to prevent thermal stress.

Fitting Edging and Upstand

List of Tools and Equipment required:-

  • 80 Grit Sandpaper
  • Cellulose Thinners
  • Clean Cloths / Wipes
  • G-clamps and protective blocks
  • Sharp Flat Chisel
  • Latex Gloves

All edging and upstand should initially be dry fitted to check for size and fit.

Minor adjustments can be made using 80 grit sandpaper.

The underside of the edging or upstand and the area onto which it is to be fitted must be rubbed down with sandpaper and then with cellulose thinners.

Both components have a coating of release from the casting procedure which will prevent anything bonding to it unless this coating is removed.

A mix of grout should then be prepared as described above. When completely mixed this should be applied in a thin layer to the underside of the edging/ upstand. The edging should then be placed in position and securely clamped down (using blocks to protect the surface of the edging). This will squeeze out any excess grout which should be removed with a sharp flat chisel when it becomes rubbery. After approximately 10 – 15 minutes when the grout has fully hardened the clamps may be removed.

It is important that a radius fillet of grout is applied to the joint between edging and the worktop so as to ensure that there is an easily cleanable and fully sealed joint. A fresh mix of grout should be prepared as described above.

When completely mixed this should be applied along the joint using the wooden sticks provided. A final run around with the radius end of the stick will give a tidy finish. When the excess grout becomes rubbery it should be very carefully removed using a sharp flat chisel. Approximately 1 hour after this the joint can be wiped down with cellulose thinners.

This radius fillet is not required with flat sheet upstands which meet the top at a 90° angle.

Epoxy Resin Grout

Grout is supplied as a pack of two components :- resin and hardener. Once mixed the grout has a workable life of approximately 5 minutes. It is therefore essential that only a manageable amount of grout is mixed at one time, and that all preparatory work is done before mixing.

The resin and hardener should be measured out at the ratio stated on the containers onto a mixing board. When ready for use this should be thoroughly mixed using the wooden sticks provided until the two components are homogeneous.

Please note that a minimum room temperature of 5°C is required to initiate the cure cycle for the grout. The useable life of the grout will vary with the ambient temperature. The warmer the room the quicker the reaction.

It is recommended that Latex gloves are worn whilst using epoxy resin grout components and cellulose thinners.