Product Testing

Dalebrook were the first company in Europe to introduce Melamine to the professional caterer back in the 1980s. We pride ourselves on the continual development of our product performance and raw materials.

We have always taken product safety seriously and when designing a new product or updating the material we use, have rigorously tested it from source, during manufacture and supply.

We believe that Melamine is the product of choice for the Professional and out performs Ceramics in many ways.

NEXT GENERATION OF PROFESSIONAL TABLEWARE

Product Testing Results

As a leader in material testing for the Ceramics industry we have employed the services of LUCIDEON Ltd to independently prove the outstanding performance properties of Dalebrook Melamine versus traditional Ceramic tableware.

Dalebrook Melamine VS Traditional Ceramic

Melamine Tableware Testing

NEXT GENERATION MELAMINE

1 - Durable, impact resistant, 4x stronger than ceramic *ASTM C368-88

Test: Impact Resistance – ASTM C368-88
Description: This tests the plate at graduating forces to see at what point they break.
Results: The melamine plate strength factor was 275.51 lpf/in² and the ceramic plate strength factor is 70.75 lpf/in²
Dalebrook melamine plates are 4 times stronger than the equivalent ceramic plates.
To see the full test results >>CLICK HERE

2 - *Easy to clean non-porous, hygienic material *ASTM C368-88

Test: Dishwasher Test – BS EN 12875-4: 2006.
Description: Purpose of this is to test to see if the products can withstand being washed in the dishwasher.
Results: Both Melamine and Ceramic plates performed the same.
Dishwasher safe. As good as new after 500 Cycles (At 75˚C). Conforms to BS EN 12875-4: 2006.
To see full test results >>CLICK HERE

3 - Dishwasher safe, as good as new even after 500 cycles *BS EN 12875-4: 2006

Test: Dishwasher Test – BS EN 12875-4: 2006.
Description: Purpose of this is to test to see if the products can withstand being washed in the dishwasher.
Results: Both Melamine and Ceramic plates performed the same.
Dishwasher safe. As good as new after 500 Cycles (At 75˚C). Conforms to BS EN 12875-4: 2006.
To see the full test results >>CLICK HERE

4 - *Scratch resistant even after 500 washes

Test: Metal Marking after Dishwasher Test – Method PT38.
Description: The purpose of the test is see how well the plates stand against various metal utensils following the dishwasher test. Three grades of steel were tested.
Results: The melamine slightly marked – removable washing warm water & soap at 45 degrees. The ceramic plate had no marking.
Scratch Resistant after 500 washes
To see the full test results >>CLICK HERE

5 - *Scientifically proven to harbour less bacteria than ceramic equivalent

Test: Microbiological Test.
Description: The purpose of this test was to see if bacteria bred quicker on ceramics than melamine.
Results: Dalebrook melamine had less bacteria than the ceramic plate and mug after this test.
Our melamine helps to prevent the breeding of infection-causing bacteria in comparison to ceramic equivalent. Scientifically proven to harbour less bacteria than ceramic equivalent.

TRADITIONAL CERAMIC

1 - Handle carefully, 4x times more likely to break *ASTM C368-88

Test: Impact Resistance – ASTM C368-88.
Description: This tests the plate at graduating forces to see at what point they break.
Results: The melamine plate strength factor was 275.51 lpf/in² and the ceramic plate strength factor is 70.75 lpf/in²
Dalebrook melamine plates are 4 times stronger than the equivalent ceramic plates.
To see the full test results >>CLICK HERE

2 - Twice as likely to chip & splinter compared to Dalebrook melamine *BS EN 12980:2000

Test: Edge Chipping - BS EN 12980:2000
Description: This tests to see at what point the edges chip.
Results: The melamine plate did not chip at the greatest force of >0.73 the ceramic plate chipped at 0.33.
Dalebrook melamine plates are twice as resistant to chipping as ceramic plates. Edge Chip Resistant. Conforms to BS EN 12980:2000
To see full test results >>CLICK HERE

3 - *Prone to shatter exposing sharp edges

Test: Edge Chipping - BS EN 12980:2000
Description: This tests to see at what point the edges chip
Results: The melamine plate did not chip at the greatest force of >0.73 the ceramic plate chipped at 0.33
Dalebrook melamine plates are twice as resistant to chipping as ceramic plates. Edge Chip Resistant. Conforms to BS EN 12980:2000
To see the full test results >>CLICK HERE

4 - High replacement costs due to breakages

Test: Edge Chipping - BS EN 12980:2000
Description: This tests to see at what point the edges chip
Results: The melamine plate did not chip at the greatest force of >0.73 the ceramic plate chipped at 0.33
Dalebrook melamine plates are twice as resistant to chipping as ceramic plates. Edge Chip Resistant. Conforms to BS EN 12980:2000
To see the full test results >>CLICK HERE

5 - Due to the porous nature of the material & glaze, damaged ceramic tableware harbours bacteria

Test: Microbiological Test
Description: The purpose of this test was to see if bacteria bred quicker on ceramics than melamine.
Results: Dalebrook melamine had less bacteria than the ceramic plate and mug after this test
Dalebrook melamine helps to prevent the breeding of infection-causing bacteria in comparison to ceramic equivalent. Scientifically proven to harbour less bacteria than ceramic equivalent.

1 - Handle carefully, 4x times more likely to break *ASTM C368-88

Test: Impact Resistance – ASTM C368-88.
Description: This tests the plate at graduating forces to see at what point they break.
Results: The melamine plate strength factor was 275.51 lpf/in² and the ceramic plate strength factor is 70.75 lpf/in²
Dalebrook melamine plates are 4 times stronger than the equivalent ceramic plates.
To see the full test results >>CLICK HERE

2 - Twice as likely to chip & splinter compared to Dalebrook melamine *BS EN 12980:2000

Test: Edge Chipping - BS EN 12980:2000
Description: This tests to see at what point the edges chip.
Results: The melamine plate did not chip at the greatest force of >0.73 the ceramic plate chipped at 0.33.
Dalebrook melamine plates are twice as resistant to chipping as ceramic plates. Edge Chip Resistant. Conforms to BS EN 12980:2000
To see full test results >>CLICK HERE

3 - *Prone to shatter exposing sharp edges

Test: Edge Chipping - BS EN 12980:2000
Description: This tests to see at what point the edges chip
Results: The melamine plate did not chip at the greatest force of >0.73 the ceramic plate chipped at 0.33
Dalebrook melamine plates are twice as resistant to chipping as ceramic plates. Edge Chip Resistant. Conforms to BS EN 12980:2000
To see the full test results >>CLICK HERE

4 - High replacement costs due to breakages

Test: Edge Chipping - BS EN 12980:2000
Description: This tests to see at what point the edges chip
Results: The melamine plate did not chip at the greatest force of >0.73 the ceramic plate chipped at 0.33
Dalebrook melamine plates are twice as resistant to chipping as ceramic plates. Edge Chip Resistant. Conforms to BS EN 12980:2000
To see the full test results >>CLICK HERE

5 - Due to the porous nature of the material & glaze, damaged ceramic tableware harbours bacteria

Test: Microbiological Test
Description: The purpose of this test was to see if bacteria bred quicker on ceramics than melamine.
Results: Dalebrook melamine had less bacteria than the ceramic plate and mug after this test
Dalebrook melamine helps to prevent the breeding of infection-causing bacteria in comparison to ceramic equivalent. Scientifically proven to harbour less bacteria than ceramic equivalent.

Melamine Drinkware Testing

HEALTHCARE MELAMINE MUG

1 - Durable, impact resistant 2x stronger than ceramic mug

Test: Handle Strength – Method PT32
Description: This is to test the handle strength used with controlled gradual force.
Results: Omni Melamine Mug did not break at the highest force of >0.54 ft.lbf the Ceramic Beaker handle broke at a mean of 0.26 ft. lbf
Dalebrook melamine cups are twice as strong as equivalent ceramic cups
To see the full test results >>CLICK HERE

2 - Thermal shock resistant - Melamine performs as well as ceramic when subject to temperature changes

Test: Thermal Shock Endurance - Method PT33
Description: This tests the products by subjecting them to varying temperatures between 13°C and 98˚C. It looks for any changes to the products including cracks and breakages.
Results: Melamine and Ceramic achieved the same results and passed the test with no changes.
Melamine performs as well as ceramic when subject to temperature changes. Thermal Shock Resistant.
To see full test results >>CLICK HERE

3 - Our melamine cups retains temperature better than the ceramic equivalent *BS EN 8654:2015

Test: Handle Temperature – BS EN 8654:2015
Description: This tests the temperature of the handle when filled with boiling water.
Results: Both mugs passed the test, however the Omni mug’s handle had an average temperature of 20°C and the ceramic beaker had an average temperature of 30°C. This means the melamine mug is better at retaining the temperature.
Our melamine cups retains temperature better than the ceramic equivalent. Safe to touch handles – cooler than ceramic. Conforms to BS EN 8654:2015.
To see the full test results >>CLICK HERE

4 - Safe to touch handles - cooler than ceramic *BS EN 8654:2015

Test: Handle Temperature – BS EN 8654:2015
Description: This tests the temperature of the handle when filled with boiling water.
Results: Both mugs passed the test, however the Omni mug’s handle had an average temperature of 20°C and the ceramic beaker had an average temperature of 30°C. This means the melamine mug is better at retaining the temperature.
Our melamine cups retains temperature better than the ceramic equivalent. Safe to touch handles – cooler than ceramic. Conforms to BS EN 8654:2015.
To see the full test results >>CLICK HERE

TRADITIONAL CERAMIC MUG

1 - Handle carefully, 4x more likely to break *ASTM C368-88

Test: Impact Resistance – ASTM C368-88
Description: This tests the plate at graduating forces to see at what point they break.
Results: The melamine plate strength factor was 275.51 lpf/in² and the ceramic plate strength factor is 70.75 lpf/in²
Dalebrook melamine plates are 4 times stronger than the equivalent ceramic plates
To see the full test results >>CLICK HERE

2 - Twice as likely to chip & splinter compared to Dalebrook melamine *BS EN 12980:2000

Test: Edge Chipping - BS EN 12980:2000
Description: This tests to see at what point the edges chip
Results: The melamine plate did not chip at the greatest force of >0.73 the ceramic plate chipped at 0.33
Dalebrook melamine plates are twice as resistant to chipping as ceramic plates. Edge Chip Resistant. Conforms to BS EN 12980:2000
To see full test results >>CLICK HERE

3 - High replacement costs due to breakages

Test: Edge Chipping - BS EN 12980:2000
Description: This tests to see at what point the edges chip
Results: The melamine plate did not chip at the greatest force of >0.73 the ceramic plate chipped at 0.33
Dalebrook melamine plates are twice as resistant to chipping as ceramic plates. Edge Chip Resistant. Conforms to BS EN 12980:2000
To see the full test results >>CLICK HERE

4 - Due to the porous nature of the material and glaze, damaged ceramic tableware harbours bacteria

Test: Microbiological Test
Description: The purpose of this test was to see if bacteria bred quicker on ceramics than melamine.
Results: Dalebrook melamine had less bacteria than the ceramic plate and mug after this test
Dalebrook melamine helps to prevent the breeding of infection-causing bacteria in comparison to ceramic equivalent. Scientifically proven to harbour less bacteria than ceramic equivalent.