Melamine is a compound used to make fire-resistant and heat-tolerant resin for whiteboards, tableware, and filters. It can also be used to make foam and fire retardant materials. However, it can be dangerous if added to food products.
Melamine is an organic compound that is often combined with formaldehyde to produce melamine resin, a fire-resistant and heat-tolerant synthetic polymer. Resin is a versatile material that has a highly stable structure. Its uses include whiteboards, floor tiles, tableware, flame retardant fabrics, and commercial filters. Melamine can be easily shaped while hot, but will take a fixed shape, making it suitable for certain industrial applications. This compound is considered safe for its normal uses, but food products that are contaminated with it may not be safe for consumption.
Resin
This type of resin is made by mixing melamine with formaldehyde, and sometimes urea, under heat and pressure. The substances begin to polymerize and are forced into a mold to create the desired shape. Under pressure, melamine releases water, which could make the plastic unstable if not removed. The materials finish curing and create a finished product.
Melamine resin is known as a thermosetting plastic because it sets after molding. If exposed to sufficient heat, it will decompose. For this reason, this type of crockery should not be exposed to high temperatures such as those in the oven or microwave. This type of resin is also difficult to recycle.
foam
Foam products can also be made from melamine. This foam has a distinctive structure made up of stacked bubble shapes that are extremely hard and therefore can easily clean a wide variety of substances. Melamine foam is marketed under a variety of trade names, including several sponge-like products known for removing scratches and dirt from a variety of surfaces.
Heat resistance
Melamine also plays a role in a variety of fire retardant materials. These include the fabrics used in upholstery and the uniforms worn by firefighters. Thermal liners, heat resistant gloves and aprons are also made from melamine.
Filters
Some filters are also made from melamine. The material is porous and allows substances to pass through, but can be used to filter out particles of a particular size. These filters can handle a high capacity, can be used in hot environments, and are extremely efficient.
Safety
Melamine became the subject of health concerns in the early 21st century, when it was determined to be the cause of the deaths of some children and many pets. It was found that milk producers in China had added this compound to dairy products to increase their nitrogen content, thus increasing protein levels according to commonly used simple test procedures. These adulterated dairy products have been used in other products, such as pet food, infant formula and yogurt, sold to consumers in China and other countries. The melamine content of these products, however, was higher than what had been considered safe levels. China has therefore taken steps to eliminate the addition of melamine to dairy products.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
