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Urea-formaldehyde (UF), also known as urea-methanal, so named for its common synthesis pathway and overall structure, [1] is a nontransparent thermosetting resin or polymer. It is produced from urea and formaldehyde. These resins are used in adhesives, plywood, particle board, medium-density fibreboard (MDF), and molded objects.
The structure of the molecule of urea is O=C(−NH 2) 2.The urea molecule is planar when in a solid crystal because of sp 2 hybridization of the N orbitals. [8] [9] It is non-planar with C 2 symmetry when in the gas phase [10] or in aqueous solution, [9] with C–N–H and H–N–H bond angles that are intermediate between the trigonal planar angle of 120° and the tetrahedral angle of 109.5°.
In approximate order of decreasing consumption, products generated from formaldehyde include urea formaldehyde resin, melamine resin, phenol formaldehyde resin, polyoxymethylene plastics, 1,4-butanediol, and methylene diphenyl diisocyanate. [40] The textile industry uses formaldehyde-based resins as finishers to make fabrics crease-resistant. [50]
Adding urea to MF resins has been shown to lower the amount of free formaldehyde below the legal limit and is often used for this purpose. [1] Another complication with MF resins is the low solubility of melamine in water. [16] Because of this and the free formaldehyde content, MF resins are not used as commonly in the field of wood modification.
laminating plywood, especially for exterior use; woodworking Urea-formaldehyde glue synthetic urea and formaldehyde: offgasses urea and formeldehyde formeldehyde is toxic, urea is an irritant thermosetting: Polysulfides: synthetic Will melt acrylic, polycarbonate, ABS and PVC plastic. Can be used to glue nylon, epoxy, and polyoxymethylene. [7]
Controlled-nitrogen-release technologies based on polymers derived from combining urea and formaldehyde were first produced in 1936 and commercialized in 1955. [3] The early product had 60 percent of the total nitrogen cold-water-insoluble, and the unreacted (quick-release) less than 15%.
The energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions associated with the production of Urea-formaldehyde are lower than those of Phenol formaldehyde adhesives. But Urea-formaldehyde adhesive is judged to have a nearly 50% higher life cycle impact than Phenol formaldehyde mainly because of acid based emissions during its production process. [15] [13]
Furthermore, some manufacturers used excess formaldehyde to ensure chemical bonding of all of the urea. Any leftover formaldehyde would escape after the mixing. Most states outlawed it in the early 1980s after dangers to building occupants were discovered. However emissions are highest when the urea-formaldehyde is new and decrease over time ...