The board is a structural element that constitutes the basis for constructing cabinets, so how long the kitchen will last will largely depend on its quality and strength. The boards used by Santos must pass strict tests for resistance to weight, bending or scratching, simulating conditions of use and wear equivalent to the entire lifespan of the kitchen.
First of all, Santos carefully inspects and analyses each batch received at its factory, checking that the tone and colour of the board are the right ones. Then, a sample is taken to ensure that its density and thickness meet the tolerances laid down by the standards. Should a board not have the required values, a new sample is taken from its batch to repeat the tests. If the values from these second tests are confirmed to be insufficient, the entire batch is rejected.
Tests for the mechanical properties of the board are set out as part of an incoming batch sampling plan. These tests are done through a series of laboratory tests aimed at confirming that the material meets the required parameters in terms of resistance to bending, perpendicular traction, surface tearing, screw removal and scratching.