Melamine-urea-phenol-formaldehyde resin for plywood (type Melfemo® 5XX)

Melamine-urea-phenol-formaldehyde resins are obtained by reacting urea, melamine, and phenol with formaldehyde in an alkaline environment. The production of resins is a multi-stage process with a variable temperature-time profile, different molar ratios of substrates, and different pH values. Alkali metal hydroxides are most commonly used as catalysts. The final product can be cured at elevated temperatures with the addition of an acid-based or salt-based polycondensation catalyst. It is mainly used as a binder in the production of waterproof plywood with a light-colored joint and, in combination with other additives, in flame-retardant plywood.