Melamine Foam CMF
Grade
CMF = compressed / densified melamine foam
Heat-compressed block for firestop gaskets, high-temperature seals and thin high-strength insulation layers.
Values for the CMF condition
Other Melamine Foam grades and fills
Melamine Foam is listed in 5 conditions; see the grade overview at Melamine Foam.
Compare all 5 grades and fillsHide
| Grade · open for datasheet | Best for | Yield MPa | Tensile MPa | Elong. % | Hardness |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Graphite-enhanced grade | Choose for the most demanding transport fire tests and slightly lower conductivity, where dark colour is acceptable. | 0.01 | 0.12 | 15 | — |
Solution heat treated (unstable) | Use where the foam surface stays visible (studio panels, ceiling baffles) and grey is unacceptable. | 0.01 | 0.12 | 15 | — |
Hydrophobic-treated grade | Silicone/fluoro-impregnated version for HVAC ducts and outdoor enclosures where condensation or splash water is present. | 0.01 | 0.12 | 14 | — |
Cleaning-sponge (ultra-fine cell) grade | Fine-cell, slightly denser foam whose hard resin struts act as a micro-abrasive for water-only cleaning. | 0.01 | 0.15 | 12 | — |
CMFThis page Compressed / densified melamine foam | Heat-compressed block for firestop gaskets, high-temperature seals and thin high-strength insulation layers. | 0.04 | 0.4 | 10 | — |
What is Melamine Foam CMF?
Melamine Foam CMF is Melamine Foam in the CMF grade — heat-compressed block for firestop gaskets, high-temperature seals and thin high-strength insulation layers. Melamine Foam CMF has a tensile strength of 0.4 MPa (0.058 ksi), weaker than 91% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (2.9×10⁻⁴ Msi).
Advantages
- High service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), better than 85% of polymer grades
- Easy to machine — 80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 0 GPa (2.9×10⁻⁴ Msi), worse than 95% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.04 W/m·K (0.0214 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 25/100, worse than 76% of polymer grades
Melamine Foam CMF properties
Typical room-temperature values for Melamine Foam CMF; 19 are specific to this condition. Other listed values are Melamine Foam reference data and may not represent this condition. Bars are the position among polymer grades.
Mechanical6
Melamine Foam CMF has a tensile strength of 0.4 MPa (0.058 ksi), weaker than 91% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 10% and the elastic modulus is 0 GPa (2.9×10⁻⁴ Msi).
Thermal7
Melamine Foam CMF is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 0.04 W/m·K (0.0214 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 91% of polymer grades.
Electrical2
Chemical & Environmental2
UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Melamine Foam CMF takes about 100 MJ of energy and emits 5 kg of CO₂ — less than 61% of polymer grades. Typical recycled content is 0%.
Manufacturability2
Melamine Foam CMF's machinability is very good (80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades); formability poor (25/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Melamine Foam CMF
Is Melamine Foam easy to machine?
Cut with band knife, oscillating blade, die or waterjet; hot-wire does not work (thermoset) and routing generates friable dust — use extraction.
Can Melamine Foam be welded?
Not weldable; assemble with spray contact adhesive, hot-melt web or mechanical clips/facings.
Can Melamine Foam be formed, bent or molded?
Sheets are die-cut or CNC contour-cut from bun stock; only the thermoformable grades can be steam/heat compression-moulded into 3-D shapes.
What surface finishes work on Melamine Foam?
Usually left raw or laminated with glass tissue, aluminium foil, PU film or acoustic fabric; heavy paint/coating closes the cells and destroys sound absorption.
Melamine Foam chemical composition (wt %)
Limits by weight percent from the governing specification, written the way the spec states them — a single maximum for impurities, a range for alloying elements, and the base element as balance. Nominal is the typical mid-range value.
| Element | Spec limit (wt %) | Nominal |
|---|---|---|
| emulsifier / sulfonate surfactantresidual foaming aid | 0.5 – 2.5 | 1.5 |
| blowing agent residue (C5 hydrocarbon)largely driven off after curing | 0 – 0.5 | 0.2 |
| graphiteonly in graphite-enhanced (G+) variant | 0 – 3 | 0 |
| melamine-formaldehyde resin (crosslinkedmelamine:formaldehyde molar ratio typically 1:3, fully cured thermoset | ≥ 96 (balance) | — |
Melamine Foam CMF — frequently asked
What is Melamine Foam CMF used for?
Melamine Foam CMF is typically used for acoustic absorption panels, fire-retardant insulation, transportation NVH treatment and abrasive cleaning sponges. In short: inherently flame-retardant acoustic foam; 180 °C open-cell foam; non-structural, friable surface.
What is the tensile strength of Melamine Foam CMF?
Melamine Foam CMF has a typical tensile strength of 0.4 MPa (0.058 ksi) — weaker than 91% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Melamine Foam CMF easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated very good (80/100, better than 84% of polymer grades). Cut with band knife, oscillating blade, die or waterjet; hot-wire does not work (thermoset) and routing generates friable dust — use extraction.
Can Melamine Foam CMF be welded?
Not weldable; assemble with spray contact adhesive, hot-melt web or mechanical clips/facings.
What surface finishes work on Melamine Foam CMF?
Usually left raw or laminated with glass tissue, aluminium foil, PU film or acoustic fabric; heavy paint/coating closes the cells and destroys sound absorption.
Can Melamine Foam CMF be formed, bent or molded?
Sheets are die-cut or CNC contour-cut from bun stock; only the thermoformable grades can be steam/heat compression-moulded into 3-D shapes.
What is the maximum service temperature of Melamine Foam CMF?
Melamine Foam CMF is rated for continuous use to about 180°C (356 °F), and briefly to 250°C. Strength falls off well before that limit — check the elevated-temperature data for load-bearing parts.
Sources
- Basotect melamine resin foam product brochure and grade data (G, G+, W, TG, UL, UF) — BASF (2022)
- UL 94 Tests for Flammability of Plastic Materials (HF-1 horizontal foam test) — UL Solutions (2020)
- DIN 4102-1 / EN 13501-1 building material fire classification — DIN / CEN (2019)
- EN ISO 1798 / ISO 3386 flexible cellular polymeric materials — tensile and compression stress-strain — ISO (2018)
- Cellular Solids: Structure and Properties (open-cell foam mechanics) — Cambridge University Press (1997)
Property data is compiled from published supplier and standards handbooks and normalised for comparison. Nothing on this page is a certification — request mill certs, CoC or material test reports with your order.