Melamine Foam W
Heat-treated state
W = solution heat treated (unstable)
Use where the foam surface stays visible (studio panels, ceiling baffles) and grey is unacceptable.
Values for the W 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 | — |
WThis page 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 | — |
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 W?
Melamine Foam W is Melamine Foam heat treated to W — use where the foam surface stays visible (studio panels, ceiling baffles) and grey is unacceptable. Melamine Foam W has a tensile strength of 0.12 MPa (0.0174 ksi), weaker than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 4×10⁻⁴ GPa (5.8×10⁻⁵ Msi).
Advantages
- Easy to machine — 85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades
- High service temperature — 180°C (356 °F), better than 85% of polymer grades
Limitations
- Low stiffness — 4×10⁻⁴ GPa (5.8×10⁻⁵ Msi), worse than 99% of polymer grades
- Poor heat conductor — 0.04 W/m·K (0.0202 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of polymer grades
- Degrades in UV without stabilisers — 20/100, worse than 88% of polymer grades
Melamine Foam W properties
Typical room-temperature values for Melamine Foam W; 17 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 W has a tensile strength of 0.12 MPa (0.0174 ksi), weaker than 99% of polymer grades. Elongation at break is 15% and the elastic modulus is 4×10⁻⁴ GPa (5.8×10⁻⁵ Msi).
Thermal7
Melamine Foam W is rated for continuous service to 180°C (356 °F). It conducts heat at 0.04 W/m·K (0.0202 BTU/hr·ft·°F), worse than 93% of polymer grades.
Electrical2
Chemical & Environmental2
UV resistance is poor.
Sustainability3
Producing a kilogram of Melamine Foam W 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 W's machinability is excellent (85/100, better than 88% of polymer grades); formability fair (35/100).
Values are nominal handbook figures for design screening. Confirm any required mill or lot documentation when quoting.
Working with Melamine Foam W
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 W — frequently asked
What is Melamine Foam W used for?
Melamine Foam W 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 W?
Melamine Foam W has a typical tensile strength of 0.12 MPa (0.0174 ksi) — weaker than 99% of polymer grades. Strength varies by condition: see the 5 listed tempers.
Is Melamine Foam W easy to machine?
Yes — machinability is rated excellent (85/100, better than 88% 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 W be welded?
Not weldable; assemble with spray contact adhesive, hot-melt web or mechanical clips/facings.
What surface finishes work on Melamine Foam W?
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 W 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 W?
Melamine Foam W 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.