Melamine - Taiwan

Brief Overview

Another name for the chemical substance melamine is cyanurotriamide, cyanurotriamine, or cyanuramide. Typically, melamine is sold as a white, crystalline powder. Melamine's structure allows it to combine with other chemicals to create products that are robust and long-lasting. Warming it up makes it easily moldable, and room temperature solidifies it into a shape. Melamine is non-hygroscopic and stable. It has to be kept dry, cold, and well-ventilated for storage. When heated over 300 degrees Celsius in an enclosed place, it can be explosive. It also releases harmful fumes that can irritate the skin, eyes, and respiratory system. When handling melamine, safety goggles, respirator protection, and protective gloves are necessary. Melamine is harmless when used normally, however it might be harmful if it's present in food.

Manufacturing Process

One may synthesis melamine from hydrogen cyanide, dicyandiamide, or urea. Urea is the primary component used by the majority of industry today to create melamine. Either high pressure or low pressure conditions might be used for the reaction. Urea is changed into isocyanic acid in the first phase of this process. Isocyanic acid is changed into cyanuric acid during a high pressure reaction, which then combines with ammonia to form melamine. The high pressure reaction happens in the liquid phase and doesn't need a catalyst. Isocyanic acid undergoes a low pressure reaction to produce carbodiimide or cyanamide, which is then transformed into melamine. Using a catalyst, this reaction was carried out in gas phase. In this instance, the catalyst for the reaction is either cyanamide or carbodiimide. Melamine production is essentially an endothermic reaction.

Building and Construction Industry

Melamine resin for flooring, furniture, and fiberboard laminates can be made by mixing melamine with formaldehyde. Additionally, melamine is utilized in the production of plywood. Softwood is treated with melamine to produce superior panels. Melamine may also be utilized as a mixture in concrete, which is typically used to build foundations, buildings, and other constructions.

Other Applications

Melamine is also utilized in the textile sector as a fire-retardant material for thermal liners, heat-resistant gloves and aprons, upholstery textiles, and flame-retardant apparel. Furthermore, the compound with a high nitrogen content may be combined with resins, which break down to release nitrogen gas that can be utilized to put out fires. Melamine is therefore frequently used to paint, plastic, and paper as a fire retardant.