Melamine foam

Melamine foam

Melamine foam is a foam-like material consisting of a formaldehyde-melamine-sodium bisulfite copolymer.

The foam is manufactured in Germany by BASF under the name "Basotect". It has been used for over 20 years as insulation for pipes and ductwork, and has a long history as a soundproofing material for studios, sound stages, auditoriums, and the like. The low smoke and flame properties of melamine foam prevent it from being a fire hazard[citation needed].

Contents

As a cleaner

In the early 21st century it was discovered that melamine foam was an effective abrasive cleaner.[citation needed] The open cell foam is microporous and its polymeric substance is very hard, so that when used for cleaning it works like extremely fine sandpaper, getting into tiny grooves and pits in the object being cleaned. On a larger scale the material feels soft. Because the bubbles interconnect, its structure is more like a maze of fiberglass strands, when compared to the array of separate bubbles in a material such as expanded polystyrene foam (for example, Styrofoam).

Rubbing with a slightly moistened foam may remove otherwise "uncleanable" external markings from surfaces. For example, it can remove crayon, magic marker, and grease from painted walls, wood finishings, plastic-adhering paints from treated wooden tables, adhesive residue, and grime from hub caps[citation needed]. If the surface being cleaned is not sufficiently hard, it may be finely scratched by the melamine material. The foam wears away, rather like a pencil eraser, leaving behind a slight residue which can be rinsed off.

Melamine foam for cleaning uses is supplied by several companies under brand names such as:

  • Mr. Clean Magic Eraser
  • 3M Scotch Brite Easy Erasing Pad
  • Nano Sponge
  • Coralite Ultimate Sponge

and generically as a "dirt eraser".

See also

References

External links


Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.

Игры ⚽ Поможем написать реферат

Look at other dictionaries:

  • Melamine — This article is about the chemical compound. For the plastic also called melamine , see melamine resin. Melamine …   Wikipedia

  • Melamine resin — Idealized structure of melamine resin Melamine resin or melamine formaldehyde (also shortened to melamine) is a hard, thermosetting plastic material made from melamine and formaldehyde by polymerization. In its butylated form, it is dissolved in… …   Wikipedia

  • Protein adulteration in the People's Republic of China — refers to the adulteration and contamination of several food and feed ingredients with inexpensive melamine and other compounds such as cyanuric acid, ammeline and ammelide. These adulterants can be used to inflate the apparent protein content of …   Wikipedia

  • Chinese protein export contamination — was first identified after the wide recall of many brands of cat and dog food starting in March 2007 (the 2007 pet food recalls), and eventually involved the human food supply. The recalls in North America, Europe and South Africa came in… …   Wikipedia

  • Mr. Clean — For other uses, see Mr. Clean (disambiguation). Mr. Clean s logo. Mr. Clean is a brand name fully owned by Procter Gamble. It is used for a cleaning solution and related products, and as Mr. Clean Magic Eraser , for a melamine foam cleaner.… …   Wikipedia

  • Magic sponge — This article is about a soaked sponge used to reduce pain. For the sponge like cleaning tool, see melamine foam. A magic sponge is a sponge soaked in very hot or cold water applied to sports injuries in order to reduce inflammation and pain. It… …   Wikipedia

  • Category:Cleaning tools — Subcategories This category has only the following subcategory. V [+] Vacuum cleaners‎ (2 C, 15 P) …   Wikipedia

  • industrial polymers, major — Introduction       chemical compounds used in the manufacture of synthetic industrial materials.       In the commercial production of plastics, elastomers, man made fibres, adhesives, and surface coatings, a tremendous variety of polymers are… …   Universalium

  • Particle board — For the alternative to plywood, see Oriented Strand Board. Particleboard with veneer µCT flight through a piece of particle board. View lateral, resol …   Wikipedia

  • Plastic — is the general common term for a wide range of synthetic or semisynthetic organic solid materials suitable for the manufacture of industrial products. Plastics are typically polymers of high molecular weight, and may contain other substances to… …   Wikipedia

Share the article and excerpts

Direct link
… Do a right-click on the link above
and select “Copy Link”