Hey everyone! I'm looking for some advice about my lab bench. My professor is suggesting we use OSB (oriented strand board) as the top because it's cheaper, and we plan to coat it with epoxy. However, I'm concerned about whether OSB is sturdy enough for conducting chemical reactions and if the epoxy might seep through it. What are your thoughts?
5 Answers
Are you setting up one bench or multiple? If it's just one, consider if the cost difference between OSB and a decent plywood is really worth it. Using OSB in a lab doesn't sound right to me; even plywood seems more reliable.
You might want to consider a stainless steel top for your wooden bench. You could design the stainless steel to fit securely like a lid, including some safety seams for added protection.
For lab table tops, I've usually seen materials like epoxy, phenolic resins, and stainless steel being used. While I'm not a chemist, I do work in lab environments and can tell you those are solid choices.
I’ve noticed many labs use aluminum cabinets under the benches, but since you already have a wooden frame, focusing on a solid bench top feels like the right way to go!
OSB can have some downsides compared to plywood, particularly in terms of stiffness and edge fragility. If you choose OSB, just make sure it’s well-supported and protect those edges. The good thing is that epoxy can help seal any voids, and it’s resistant to most common solvents, which is a plus!
Thanks for the input!
I'm just making one bench! I was thinking of going with plywood and coating it with epoxy instead.