Corian

Corian is the brand name for a solid surface material created by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (DuPont). Its primary use is as a countertop/benchtop surface, though it has many other applications. It is composed of acrylic polymer and alumina trihydrate (ATH), a material derived from bauxite ore. Corian is the original material of this type, created by DuPont scientists in 1967. A number of direct solid surface competitors to Corian have emerged since the expiration of DuPont’s patent on solid surfaces.

Corian is manufactured in three thicknesses: 6 millimetres (0.24 in), 12 millimetres (0.47 in), and 19 millimetres (0.75 in). Most Corian is manufactured at a DuPont facility near Buffalo, New York. Cross-section cuts show consistent color and particulate patterning evenly distributed throughout the material, giving rise to the category name “Solid Surface.”

Corian must be sold and installed by a DuPont certified fabricator and such installations come with a 10-year warranty covering both product and installation, for interior residential applications.

Dr. Donald Slocum, a DuPont chemist, is credited as the inventor of Corian solid surface in 1967. His name appears on the patent issued in October 1968. A “Space Age” material, the product has evolved since its invention and spawned many imitations. The product was first introduced for sale in 1971, at the National Association of Home Builder’s meeting in Houston, Texas.

Originally conceived as a kitchen/bath material available in a single color, Corian is available today in more than 100 colors. In the years subsequent to its market debut, DuPont introduced “integrated” Corian sinks that could be seamlessly integrated with a Corian countertop in a kitchen or bathroom.

In 2013, the company announced its Endless Evolution initiative in an effort to improve the material and find additional applications for its use.As part of this initiative, in 2014 DuPont introduced its "Deep Color" technology which was showcased in its “Corian 2.0” exhibition during Milan’s Design Week. The enhancement allows for the material to be created in deeper, darker colors that are more resistant to scratches and cuts than earlier generation Corian material.

DuPont has issued various sub-branded releases of the material which contain unique design elements and/or methods of manufacture. Notably these have included:

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Wikipedia