Melamine formaldehyde (MF) resin is a high-performance thermosetting polymer known for its heat resistance, durability, and flame retardancy. Melamine formaldehyde resin is a synthetic polymer formed by the condensation reaction of two key monomers: melamine (a nitrogen-rich triazine compound) and formaldehyde (a simple aldehyde).
Unlike thermoplastics, it forms a rigid, crosslinked three-dimensional network after curing—a process that is irreversible and directly related to the molecular formula of melamine formaldehyde resin.
Unlike simple compounds like water (H2O) or salt (NaCl), it is not composed of simple repeating units arranged linearly; instead, it forms a large, complex, and irregular three-dimensional network through chemical reactions.
Therefore, we cannot accurately represent structurally cured melamine formaldehyde resin with a simple chemical formula such as CₓHᵧN₂Oₐ.
Before delving into the resin formula, it is necessary first to clarify the chemical properties of its constituent units:
1. Melamine formula
Melamine Chemical formula: C₃H₆N₆
Molecular weight: 126.12 g/mol
Structural formula: Hexagonal triazine ring (alternating connection of 3 carbon atoms and three nitrogen atoms), with an amino group (- NH ₂) attached to each carbon atom.
Key feature: The six active hydrogen atoms in the amino group enable melamine to bind with multiple formaldehyde molecules, laying the foundation for crosslinking reactions.
2. Formaldehyde formula
Formaldehyde Chemical formula: CH₂O
Molecular weight: 30.03 g/mol
Structural formula: carbonyl (C=O) combined with two hydrogen atoms (H₂C=O).
Key feature: The active carbonyl group enables formaldehyde to act as a “bridge” between melamine molecules, constructing a crosslinked network of resin.
The formation of MF resin is divided into two core stages—hydroxymethylation and condensation/crosslinking. Each stage has a straightforward chemical equation that, together, defines the melamine formaldehyde formula.
Molecular Formula of Reaction: Aggregation and Crosslinking Processes
The actual formula of melamine formaldehyde results from its chemical reaction, namely, condensation polymerisation.
1. Phenylization stage (addition): Firstly, under alkaline conditions, formaldehyde molecules will add to the methyl group (- NH2) of melamine, forming phenylmelamine (hydroxymethylmelamine). One melamine molecule can react with multiple formaldehyde molecules.
C₃H₃N₃(NH₂)₃ + n CH₂O → C₃H₃N₃(NHCH₂OH)ₙ(NH₂)₃₋ₙ
2. Condensation stage: Subsequently, under acidic conditions and heating, these phenylated melamine molecules begin to react with each other. The methylation of one molecule (- CH2OH) reacts with the methylation of another molecule (- NH -) to remove one molecule of water (H2O), forming a stable methylene bridge (- CH2-).
This process repeats continuously in three-dimensional space because each melamine molecule has multiple reaction points. In the end, countless melamine rings were connected by methylene bridges to form a vast, single molecular network.
In summary, when searching for the molecular formula of melamine formaldehyde, we do not get a simple chemical formula but a systematic chemical concept. It is based on the reaction between melamine (C₃H₆N₆) and formaldehyde (CH₂O), forming a crosslinked network of methylene and ether bridges via hydroxymethylation.
This’ molecular formula ‘includes:
1. Structural molecular formula: Melamine (C₃H₆N₆) and formaldehyde (CH2O).
2. Reaction equation: describes the process of methylation and condensation reactions.
3. Final structural formula: A complex, three-dimensional crosslinked network composed of melamine rings and methylene bridges.
It is precisely this reinforced network structure that endows melamine formaldehyde resin with unparalleled physical and chemical properties, making it a high-performance material in our daily lives.
Tech Blog melamine formaldehyde formula What is melamine formaldehyde resin? Melamine formaldehyde (MF) resin is a high-performance thermosetting polymer known for its heat resistance, durability,
Tech Blog melamine formaldehyde resin manufacturing process Melamine formaldehyde (MF) resin is a core material in modern manufacturing, known for its heat resistance, durability, and
Tech Blog melamine formaldehyde structure Melamine formaldehyde (MF) resin is a high-performance thermosetting polymer known for its excellent heat resistance, durability, and chemical stability. From
JINGJIANG MELAMINE POWDER
© JINJIANG MELAMINE