UF: Urea-Formaldehyde Resin

TS

Thermosets

General Properties

Short Name:

Name: 

UF

Urea-Formaldehyde Resin


Urea-formaldehyde resins (UF; U from urea) are condensation products from urea and aldehydes (mainly formaldehyde). Since cross-linking is a polycondensation reaction, pressure-tight crucibles are required.

Structural Formula


Properties

Glass Transition TemperatureThe glass transition is one of the most important properties of amorphous and semi-crystalline materials, e.g., inorganic glasses, amorphous metals, polymers, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients, etc., and describes the temperature region where the mechanical properties of the materials change from hard and brittle to more soft, deformable or rubbery.Glass Transition Temperature60 to 110°C
Melting Temperatures and EnthalpiesThe enthalpy of fusion of a substance, also known as latent heat, is a measure of the energy input, typically heat, which is necessary to convert a substance from solid to liquid state. The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes state from solid (crystalline) to liquid (isotropic melt).Melting Temperature-
Melting Temperatures and EnthalpiesThe enthalpy of fusion of a substance, also known as latent heat, is a measure of the energy input, typically heat, which is necessary to convert a substance from solid to liquid state. The melting point of a substance is the temperature at which it changes state from solid (crystalline) to liquid (isotropic melt).Melting Enthalpy-
Decomposition reactionA decomposition reaction is a thermally induced reaction of a chemical compound forming solid and/or gaseous products. Decomposition Temperature260 to 355°C
Young's Modulus7000 to 10500 MPa
Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion (CLTE/CTE)The coefficient of linear thermal expansion (CLTE) describes the length change of a material as a function of the temperature.Coefficient of Linear Thermal Expansion40 to 60 *10-6/K
Specific Heat Capacity1.2 to 1.3 J/(g*K)
Thermal ConductivityThermal conductivity (λ with the unit W/(m•K)) describes the transport of energy – in the form of heat – through a body of mass as the result of a temperature gradient (see fig. 1). According to the second law of thermodynamics, heat always flows in the direction of the lower temperature.Thermal Conductivity0.35 to 0.40 W/(m*K)
DensityThe mass density is defined as the ratio between mass and volume. Density1.5 g/cm³
MorphologyThermoset
General propertiesHigh strength. High scratch resistance. Very good electrical insulating properties. Light resistant
ProcessingCompression, injection molding, transfer molding
ApplicationsBuilding industry (binder for plywood). Electrical industry (e.g., plugs, light switches). Sanitary area (e.g., toilet seats). Caps for cosmetics

NETZSCH Measurement

InstrumentDSC 204 F1 Phoenix®
Sample Mass24.04 mg
IsothermalTests at controlled and constant temperature are called isothermal.Isothermal Phase8 min
Heating/Colling Rates

5 K/min heating

10 K/min cooling

Crucible

High-pressure steel

crucibles, closed

AtmosphereN2 (40 ml/min)

Evaluation

In the 1st heating (blue), a Glass Transition TemperatureThe glass transition is one of the most important properties of amorphous and semi-crystalline materials, e.g., inorganic glasses, amorphous metals, polymers, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients, etc., and describes the temperature region where the mechanical properties of the materials change from hard and brittle to more soft, deformable or rubbery.glass transition occurred at 45°C (midpoint), overlapped by a small endothermal RelaxationWhen a constant strain is applied to a rubber compound, the force necessary to maintain that strain is not constant but decreases with time; this behavior is known as stress relaxation. The process responsible for stress relaxation can be physical or chemical, and under normal conditions, both will occur at the same time. relaxation effect which is followed by a broad ExothermicA sample transition or a reaction is exothermic if heat is generated.exothermal reaction peak due to the Curing (Crosslinking Reactions)Literally translated, the term “crosslinking“ means “cross networking”. In the chemical context, it is used for reactions in which molecules are linked together by introducing covalent bonds and forming three-dimensional networks.curing reaction (peak temperature 128°C, reaction enthalpy 53 J/g). After controlled cooling, only a Glass Transition TemperatureThe glass transition is one of the most important properties of amorphous and semi-crystalline materials, e.g., inorganic glasses, amorphous metals, polymers, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients, etc., and describes the temperature region where the mechanical properties of the materials change from hard and brittle to more soft, deformable or rubbery.glass transition with a midpoint temperature of 104°C and a step height (Δcp) of 0.14 J/(g*K) can be seen in the 2nd heating (red). This Tg is also overlapped by a RelaxationWhen a constant strain is applied to a rubber compound, the force necessary to maintain that strain is not constant but decreases with time; this behavior is known as stress relaxation. The process responsible for stress relaxation can be physical or chemical, and under normal conditions, both will occur at the same time. relaxation effect. By means of TM-DSC (temperature-modulated DSC), it is possible to separate the Glass Transition TemperatureThe glass transition is one of the most important properties of amorphous and semi-crystalline materials, e.g., inorganic glasses, amorphous metals, polymers, pharmaceuticals and food ingredients, etc., and describes the temperature region where the mechanical properties of the materials change from hard and brittle to more soft, deformable or rubbery.glass transition from the RelaxationWhen a constant strain is applied to a rubber compound, the force necessary to maintain that strain is not constant but decreases with time; this behavior is known as stress relaxation. The process responsible for stress relaxation can be physical or chemical, and under normal conditions, both will occur at the same time. relaxation endotherm and the Curing (Crosslinking Reactions)Literally translated, the term “crosslinking“ means “cross networking”. In the chemical context, it is used for reactions in which molecules are linked together by introducing covalent bonds and forming three-dimensional networks.curing exotherm.