MELAMINE (MELAMINE-FORMALDEHYDE)
MICARTA®   ARBORITE®   ACCULAM®

SPECIFICATIONS:

U.S. FEDERAL L-P-509A TYPE IV GRADES G-5 and G-9
U.S. MILITARY MIL-P-79C TYPE GMG FORM R
 MIL-P-15037E TYPES GME and GMG
NEMA L1-1 GRADES G-5 and G-9

NATURAL COLOUR:
   CLEAR COLOURLESS

Long known as a tough, mar resistant, decorative dinnerware sold under the trade name MELMAC® and a very hard, cut and heat resistant, decorative countertop product sold under the trade name FORMICA®; this thermosetting polymer, though not a PHENOLIC, better belongs in this section as its characteristics, uses, manufacture and forms are also of the "industrial laminate" type. MELAMINE is one of the few polymers not derived from oil; its components are by-products of fermentation. Like PHENOLICS, reinforcing media are employed to enhance the properties of MELAMINE. For our purposes, only the woven glass fabric grades are of importance and they closely relate to Epoxy. The main feature of MELAMINE is its outstanding hardness. Until recently with the availability of PBI (see Specialties), no polymer came close to the hardness of MELAMINE and PBI certainly is several magnitudes more expensive. As well, like Epoxy with woven glass fabric reinforcement, the physical and impact strengths are quite high, dimensional stability is good temperature resistance is good and very similar to Epoxy. MELAMINE has quite good flame resistance and electrical insulation properties, in grade G-9, are also good. Chemical resistance is better than PHENOLICS but not as good as Epoxy; weak and mineral acids, weak alkalais and organic solvents do not affect MELAMINE. Strong alkalais attack MELAMINE and strong oxidizers decompose it. However, with its laminate structures, fluid chemical exposure is not recommended due to the potential of seepage into the laminations and the delamination of the product. While MELAMINE, with its high hardness, strength and heat resistance machines well, the presence of glass fibres makes it impossible to achieve quality finishes without expensive secondary operations. Also, tool wear, even with carbide inserts, is high. And, the production of formaldehyde vapour and glass particle dust are serious health hazards.

GENERAL PROPERTIES
  ASTM test Woven Fiber-Glass Reinforced
G-5 G-9
LW CW LW CW
SPECIFIC GRAVITY   D792 1.90 1.90 1.95 1.95
TENSILE STRENGTH psi D638 41000 32000 37000 30000
TENSILE MODULUS 105 psi D638        
ELONGATION % D638 0.08 0.08 0.80 0.80
FLEXURAL STRENGTH psi D790 61600 50000 55000 35000
FLEXURAL MODULUS 105 psi D790 17.0 15.0 16.0 13.0
COMPRESSIVE STRENGTH 10% psi D695 70000 25000 70000 25000
COMPRESSIVE MODULUS 105 psi D695        
HARDNESS rockwell M D785 M120 M120 M120 M120
IMPACT STRENGTH (1/2" x 1/2") ft-lb/inch of notch D256 12.5 9.0 12.0 8.0
THERMAL EXPANSION 10-5/°F D696 0.58 0.58 0.58 0.58
HEAT RESISTANCE (continuous in air) °F   300 300 300 300
DEFLECTION TEMPERATURE   D648        
@ 264 psi °F   400 400 400 400
@ 66 psi °F   N/A N/A N/A N/A
DIELECTRIC STRENGTH v/mil D149 N/A N/A 550 550
DIELECTRIC CONSTANT   D150 N/A N/A 6.6 to 11.1 6.6 to 11.1
DISSIPATION FACTOR 10-3 D150 N/A N/A 13 to 230 13 to 230
WATER ABSORPTION 24hrs % D570 0.60 0.60 0.20 0.20
FLAMMABILITY in/min D635 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2 <0.2

PLEASE NOTE:
Values shown in the above table are averages and there will be variances from lot to lot. After selecting a material based upon these values, you must conduct tests specific to your application to be assured the material suits your needs.