Melamine in Laminates
A decorative film layer (like a wood grain, solid color, or pattern) impregnated with a melamine resin that consists of melamine and formaldehyde (MF resin) is attached to a wooden substrate like fiberboard or particleboard core materials. The resulting products are used in furniture, counter tops, walls, floors, and elsewhere. The contained melamine is adding properties like heat, water and chemical resistance to the end product. Also antibacterial properties are included, making melamine high-pressure or low-pressure laminates the ideal choice for e.g. kitchen counter tops.
Melamine in wood adhesives
The wooden substrates mentioned above also contain melamine – plywood, particle boards (PB), medium density fibreboards (MDF) as well as high density fibreboards (HDF), oriented strand boards (OSB) or laminated veneer lumber (LVL) are bonded with melamine containing urea-formaldehyde (UF) adhesives. Also here melamine adds its unique properties to the product; it reduces the release of free formaldehyde, improves the water resistance of the boards.
Melamine in Surface Coatings
Especially formulated melamine resin systems are used to produce highly durable coatings. This includes clear finishes for paper, fabrics, wood and metals. By pigmenting the resin systems opaque enamel finishes can be obtained. You find them on refrigerators, washing machines, hospital equipment and kitchen utensils where they show their strengths: chemical and water resistance and mechanical properties like scratch resistance.
One popular application is within the automotive industry. MF resins in coatings help to reduce solvent emissions and thus have a positive impact on the environment.
One popular application is within the automotive industry. MF resins in coatings help to reduce solvent emissions and thus have a positive impact on the environment.
Melamine in Moulding Compounds
Melamine resins are strongly thermosetting and can be moulded into a variety of products for our daily life. The moulds are heat-resistant, odour- and tasteless as well as non-conductive. By adding pigments to the resin, various color and combinations thereof are possible. Final moulding products include house
hold appliances, table- and dinnerware, utensil handles, electric sockets and much more.
hold appliances, table- and dinnerware, utensil handles, electric sockets and much more.
Melamine in Textiles and Paper
Applied to textiles, MF resins improve wrinkle resistance and add flame-retardant properties. Paper treated with melamine is more resistant to wrinkle and impregnated against moisture. Best example are banknotes – despite years of intensive use, they do not wrinkle much and also survive the washing machine.
Other applications
Flame retardants
It is mainly used in specialized paints, textile products like firefighting apparel, and in flexible urethane foam that is used in the furniture and bedding industry as well as in electronics products.
Concrete plasticisers
Melamine also enters the fabrication of melamine poly-sulfonate used as a superplasticizer for making high-resistance concrete.
It is mainly used in specialized paints, textile products like firefighting apparel, and in flexible urethane foam that is used in the furniture and bedding industry as well as in electronics products.
Concrete plasticisers
Melamine also enters the fabrication of melamine poly-sulfonate used as a superplasticizer for making high-resistance concrete.
