Melamine resin

Melamine resin
Idealized structure of melamine resin

Melamine resin or melamine formaldehyde (also shortened to melamine) is a hard, thermosetting plastic material made from melamine and formaldehyde by polymerization. In its butylated form, it is dissolved in n-butanol and xylene. It is then used to cross-link with alkyd, epoxy, acrylic and polyester resins, used in surface coatings. There are many types, varying from very slow to very fast curing.

Contents

Applications

In the kitchen

A melamine-resin plate

Melamine resin is often used in kitchen utensils and plates (such as Melmac). Melamine resin utensils and bowls are not microwave safe, as they absorb the microwave radiation and heat up.[1] As with all thermosetting materials, melamine resin cannot be melted and, therefore, cannot be recycled through melting.

A melamine-resin ladle

During the late 1950s and 1960s melamine tableware became highly fashionable. Aided crucially by the stylish modern designs of A. H. Woodfull and the Product Design Unit of British Industrial Plastics, it was thought to threaten the dominant position of ceramics in the market. The tendency of melamine cups and plates to stain and scratch led sales to decline in the late 1960s, however, and eventually the material became largely restricted to the camping and nursery market.[2]

Construction material

Melamine resin is the main constituent of high-pressure laminates, such as Formica and Arborite, and of laminate flooring. Melamine-resin tile wall panels can also be used as whiteboards.

Melamine & LEED: Phenol formaldehyde (PF) is used typically used as the binder / resin in hard-surface countertop materials, such as those used in lab desks. Melamine formaldehyde (MF) is a related compound used in plastic laminate and overlay materials. Formaldehyde is more tightly bound in PF and MF than it is in Urea Formaldehyde, reducing emissions. LEED v2.2's EQ Credit 4.4 precludes the use of Urea-Formaldehyde, but allows the use of Melamine Formaldehyde.

Cabinet and furniture making

Melamine resin often is used to saturate decorative paper that is laminated under heat and pressure and then pasted onto particle board; the resulting panel is often called melamine and commonly used in ready-to-assemble furniture and inexpensive kitchen cabinets.

Melamine is available in different sizes and thicknesses, as well as a large number of colors and patterns. The sheets are heavy; the resin is prone to chipping when being cut with conventional table saws.[3]

See also

  • Melamine foam is a special form of melamine resin. It is used mainly as an insulating and soundproofing material and more recently as a cleaning abrasive.
  • Formica is a brand of composite materials manufactured by the Formica Corporation. In common use, the term refers to the company's classic product, a heat-resistant, wipe-clean, plastic laminate of paper or fabric with melamine resin.

References

  1. ^ Anne Field (2003-06-24). "Melamine Plastic". Home Maintenance and Repair. Michigan State University Extension. http://web1.msue.msu.edu/imp/mod02/01500096.html. 
  2. ^ "The Rise and Fall of Melamine Tableware". plastiquarian (Plastics Historical Society) (32): 10. Summer 2004. Archived from the original on 2008-06-25. http://web.archive.org/web/20080625052055/http://www.plastiquarian.com/styr3n3/pqs/pq32.htm. Retrieved 2008-12-12. 
  3. ^ "Melamine". Pro Woodworking Tips.com. http://www.prowoodworkingtips.com/Melamine.html. 

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • melamine resin — melamine fromaldehyde methanal resin melamine fromaldehyde methanal resin n. A thermosetting plastic formed by the reaction of melamine and formaldehyde. It is used for molding and for preparing laminated sheets used to surface counter tops,… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • melamine resin — ☆ melamine resin n. any of various thermosetting, synthetic resins made by condensing formaldehyde with melamine and used in making dishes, utensils, adhesives, etc …   English World dictionary

  • melamine resin — noun a thermosetting resin formed from melamine and an aldehyde; used in molded products, adhesives, and coatings • Hypernyms: ↑synthetic resin * * * noun : any of a group of thermosetting resins made from melamine and an aldehyde (as… …   Useful english dictionary

  • melamine resin — noun Date: 1939 a thermosetting resin made from melamine and an aldehyde and used especially in molded or laminated products, adhesives, and coatings …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • melamine resin — noun any thermosetting resin, such as Formica trade;, manufactured from melamine and an aldehyde, used to make surface coatings etc …   Wiktionary

  • melamine resin — Chem. any of the class of thermosetting resins formed by the interaction of melamine and formaldehyde: used chiefly as adhesives for laminated materials and as coatings for paper, plastics, and textiles. [1940 45] * * * …   Universalium

  • melamine resin — mel′amine res in n. chem. a thermosetting resin used as an adhesive and a coating for paper, plastics, and textiles • Etymology: 1940–45 …   From formal English to slang

  • melamine-fromaldehyde methanal resin — melamine resin melamine resin melamine fromaldehyde methanal resin melamine fromaldehyde methanal resin n. A thermosetting plastic formed by the reaction of melamine and formaldehyde. It is used for molding and for preparing laminated sheets used …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Melamine foam — is a foam like material consisting of a formaldehyde melamine sodium bisulfite copolymer. The foam is manufactured in Germany by BASF under the name Basotect . It has been used for over 20 years as insulation for pipes and ductwork, and has a… …   Wikipedia

  • Melamine — This article is about the chemical compound. For the plastic also called melamine , see melamine resin. Melamine …   Wikipedia

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