Santos shares its expertise on passing quality control

The furniture franchise recently shared how its edge-banded items pass quality control testing.

In a recent post on its website, Santos shared the rigorous testing that any edge-banded items must pass in order to be fitted in any Santos kitchen. With all edge banding designed to last the lifetime of a kitchen, Santos shared the strict quality control testing that it subjects its items to.

Santos further elaborated on how good quality edge banding should be able to resist extreme moisture, heat and lighting conditions, without changing colour, cracking, becoming unglued or deformed. Given the importance of quality edge banding on the integrity of Santos’ kitchens and, as a franchise that routinely exceeds European testing regulations, Santos invited readers to explore how it preserves its high-quality kitchens over a lifetime.

Upon arrival at a Santos factory, each batch of edge banding is first inspected to check its colour and size. Next, the edge banding is subjected to:

1. Washability and friction test: The banding is washed by at least 400 dry friction cycles and must be resistant to any friction damage.
2. Primer check: The samples are exposed to an ultraviolet light source in order to determine whether the banding comes with – as intended – a primed first layer.
3. Adhesion and bonding test: To ensure the edge banding won’t come apart, the bonding is tested by a dynamometer.
4. Immersion and steam resistant test: The banding is then immersed in one centimeter of water for thirty minutes, while another is exposed to intense water vapour for at least one hour. Both must be resistant to deformation and cracking.
5. Glue strength test: The banding must also prove resistant to varying levels of heat and humidity, ensuring the samples will last over many years.
6. Ageing resistance test: Finally, the sample must hold its original colour for as long as possible under exposure to different degrees of light.

Only after enduring all of these tests will any edge banding, or edge-banded item, pass into a Santos kitchen.

Producing high quality kitchens since 1952, Santos is a widely-recognised name in the home improvement sector, with over 260 showrooms worldwide. If you’d like to know more about becoming a franchisee for a premium furniture business, enquire on Santos’ profile for more information.